My Research Projects

Current Projects

The Efficacy of Toy Introduction as an Environmental Enrichment Tool for Long-term Communally Housed Canis Familiaris, Soi Dog Foundation, Phuket, Thailand.

  • Ethics Approval Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, AU
  • Data collection anticipated late 2013

 

Are early growth stage table-top behaviors adequate predictors of later growth stage performance outcomes for smaller breed chickens engaged in operant conditioning?  Terry Ryan’s Legacy Canine; Sequim, WA, US.

  • Data collection completed 2012
  • Data analysis underway
  • Abstract to be submitted for presentation at APDT

 

K9 Nose Work® in the Shelter Environment and Effect on Stereotypy Presentation

  • Anticipated start date: Autumn 2013.
  • In proposal stage
  • Anticipated PI: Stephen A Mackenzie, PhD and Judge with the NACSW

Current Interests

  • Canine olfactory mechanisms
  • Odor dispersal and characteristics
  • Animal welfare
  • Animal behavior
  • Environmental enrichment
  • Cognitive and evolutionary links between humans and domestic dogs
  • Positive methods of animal training

Past Research

  • Immortalization of bovine fibroblasts: roles of p53, CDKN1A and telomerase
  • Roles of p53 and ErbB2 in spontaneous mammary tumors in mice
  • A degenerative primer approach for elucidating bovine p21

 

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION 

  • Animal training: K9 Nose Work®, Animal Training and Behavior Modification
  • Ethics: International Research Ethics, Ethics Committees, Animal Welfare, Shelter Ethics
  • Research: Animal Behavior, Environmental Enrichment in Shelter Environment
  • Laboratory Research: p53 & p21 tumor suppressor genes, Radiation Protocols including intake, disposal, and spills, Large & Small Animal Management, Laboratory Management

AREAS OF COMPETENCE

  • Animal Behavior and Training: scent work, Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT), working dog sports, TAG teach
  • Ethics: Bioethics, Human Research Ethics Committees
  • Molecular Biology & Cloning Technologies
  • Animal Husbandry: Laboratory and Mouse Colony Management for Research, Large and Small Farm Animal Management, Ration Formulation, Reproductive Physiology

ACADEMIC TUTORING/TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS

  • Introduction to Legal Studies Teaching Assistant, Holyoke Community, College, MA, US
  • Business Law Teaching Assistant, Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA, US
  • Reproductive Physiology Laboratory Teaching Assistant and Laboratory Manual Editor, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, US
  • Stud Farm Management Teaching Assistant, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, US

 

BIOETHICS WORKSHOPS INVITED DELEGATE

  • World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki Revision Workshop. 2 day workshop,Helsinki, Finland hosted by Finnish Medical Association, 2008.
  • UNESCO Ethics Education Workshop. 2 day workshop, North Shore, Auckland, NZ, 2008.
  • Addressing ethical challenges in research: Working with the revised Ethical considerations in biomedical HIVprevention trials guidance and Good participatory practice guidelines for biomedical HIV prevention trials. 3 day workshop, Umhlanga Rocks (Durban), South Africa, 2009.