By SOFIA HU

Prof. Robert E. Johnston, psychology, who studied the behavior of animals around the world, died Dec. 20 at Cayuga Medical Center, according to the University. He was 72.

Johnston

Johnston researched social behavior in animals, including olfactory communication, scent marking and social recognition and memory, according to the University. He studied animals throughout the world, including Africa, South America and Australia.

Through his research, Johnston studied hamsters. Johnston discovered that hamsters use their sense of smell for memory and communication, Prof. Timothy DeVoogd, psychology, said in a University press release.

Johnston taught undergraduate psychology courses on topics including the evolution of human behavior and olfaction and several graduate seminars.

He earned his B.A. from Dartmouth College in 1964 and his Ph.D. from Rockefeller University in 1970.

Johnston was active beyond academia and liked to sculpt, oil paint and photograph, according to the University. He also played squash, cross-country skied, ice skated, hiked and danced.

“His dream was to spend time after retirement studying social interactions in the wild in novel species,” DeVoogd said.

Johnston is survived by his wife, two sons, brother, sister and uncle.