Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who is the namesake of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center?
A. The center was founded in 1930 by Yale psychobiologist Robert M. Yerkes, PhD. Located in Orange Park, Florida, the center originally was known as the Yale Laboratories for Primate Biology. After Dr. Yerkes retired in 1941, Yale University renamed the institute the Yerkes Laboratory of Primate Biology in honor of his scientific leadership and contributions to science. Ownership was transferred to Emory University in 1956, and in 1960, the U.S. Congress enacted the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Regional Primate Research Centers Program to provide the scientific community with specialized resources needed for primate research. The following year, Emory received National Institutes of Health Regional Primate Research Center status for the Yerkes laboratories in Orange Park. NIH funding enabled the transfer of the laboratories to the Emory campus in 1965. In 2002, the NIH renamed Yerkes a National Primate Research Center in recognition of its involvement with and impact on research programs throughout the United States and the world.

Q. What was Dr. Robert M. Yerkes’ interest in primates?
A. In an article in Science in 1916, Dr. Yerkes called for the establishment of a primate research institute for the systematic study of the "fundamental instincts" and "social relations" of primates. Dr. Yerkes reasoned that primates, because of their evolutionary closeness to humans, could shed the most light upon the roots of human behavior. He also wrote in Science, "I am wholly convinced that the various medical sciences and medical practices have vastly more to gain ... from the persistent and ingenious use of the monkeys and the anthropoid apes in experimental inquiry."

Q. How many primates are housed at Yerkes?
A. When the Yerkes Research Center moved from Orange Park, Florida, in 1965, more than 160 animals were transported to the current facility located at Emory University. Today, we house approximately 3,400 nonhuman primates and 5,000 rodents.

Q. Why do you use nonhuman primates in biomedical research?
A. The similarity of nonhuman primates to humans in genetic makeup, behavior and organ-system function provides irreplaceable opportunities to better understand, prevent and treat human disease. This makes the use of nonhuman primates essential to answer fundamental science questions that can lead to preventions, better treatments and cures to benefit the health of humans and animals. Researchers, their teams and our animal care staff provide the most humane care and treatment possible.

Q. How can I obtain specimens for use in research?
A. Requests for specimens can be submitted by emailing the Yerkes Division of Research Resources at yerkes-resources@rmy.emory.edu.

Q. How many people work at Yerkes?
A. Approximately 400 people including researchers, veterinarians and animal care staff are employed at the center.

Q. How do I apply for a job at Yerkes?
A. Job postings are available online through the Emory Careers Web page, a service of Emory University Human Resources. Prospective employees can access instructions for employment applications through the Yerkes employment page or can e-mail employment-related questions to yerkes-employment@rmy.emory.edu.

Q. Can I intern/volunteer at the center?
A. The center is unable to offer volunteer opportunities due to the specialized training required for working with nonhuman primates. Internship opportunities, however, are available to researchers and students in specific fields of study through programs such as Emory's Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology program. For more information about internship opportunities, please contact Research Resources at yerkes-resources@rmy.emory.edu.