Colorado State University

I graduated Brandeis University in 2023 with a B.A. in Biology. My previous experience includes being a member of a rigorous three-year Science Research Program affiliated with SUNY Albany, where I conducted research in the NYU Molecular Anthropology Laboratory analyzing the genome sequences of tarsiers to differentiate authentic mitochondrial sequences or nuclear pseudogenes. I have also done work using scan and focal sampling methods to analyze hamadryas baboon behavior in video samples. I am interested in the ultimate causes of many behaviors in animals, such as social behaviors, mating behaviors, foraging, and competition, and applying this to animals in captivity, specifically zoos. I am intrigued by the comparison between wild and captive animal behaviors, as well as the role of enrichment in captive settings and its effectiveness for emulating specific behaviors and skills, such as hunting and foraging behaviors, problem-solving, and play. I hope to gain insight into animal behavior in order to improve aspects of captive animal care and conservation in zoos and aquariums, such as breeding programs and preventing abnormal behaviors.