Diana Reiss

Dr. Diana Reiss is a cognitive psychologist and professor in the Department of Psychology at Hunter College and the Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience Graduate Program of CUNY. She is a research scientist at the National Aquarium of Baltimore and a research associate at the Smithsonian National Zoo in DC.

Dr. Reiss’ research focuses on cetacean cognition, communication, comparative animal cognition and the evolution of intelligence. Through her work in vocal communication and learning in dolphins, she pioneered the use of underwater keyboards. She and her colleagues demonstrated that dolphins and elephants possess the rare capability to self-recognize in a mirror, which was previously thought to be restricted to humans and great apes.

Her advocacy work in conservation and animal welfare includes the protection of dolphins in the tuna fishing industry. She acted as the scientific advisor for the documentary The Cove, which exposed the drive-hunt killing of dolphins in Japan.