Cassidy Taylor

 Lab Manager  

Born and raised in Florida, Cassidy is a double major in Animal Studies and Human Development with a minor in Psychology. Growing up, Cassidy was constantly surrounded by animals and had a passion for helping. She currently holds the position of lead researcher on the ZooTampa Orangutan project, which she began as a first-year research associate in 2021. Cassidy found a passion for teaching after working as an environmental educator and a teaching assistant for students of higher education. Since being at Eckerd, she has been involved with the Conservation Behavior Lab, Title IX Council, and has completed multiple animal-related study abroad trips with Eckerd. Cassidy's future goal is to manage a nonprofit that fosters positive interactions between humans and animals.  

Gracie barrentine

 Lead Researcher 

Hi everyone! My name is Gracie Barrentine. I plan on double majoring with Animal Studies and Psychology with a possible minor in theatre. I've always grown up loving animals and I would love to work and train with rehabilitated animals. Marine mammals have a special place in my heart, and I've recently been interested in the conservation of the Northern White Rhinos species. I've volunteered and worked at the Tarpon Springs Aquarium and Clearwater Marine Aquarium and I want to continue learning about conservation efforts and the rehabilitation of animals with focus on marine mammals!

MADDIE ENMAN

Lead Researcher and Social Media Coordinator 

Maddie is a double major in both Marine Biology and Animal Studies. She grew up in Chicago surrounded by cats, dogs, guinea pigs- you name it! This past summer, she spent most of her time volunteering at the Riemann Aquarium in Milwaukee working with the sturgeons. Maddie recently started up as a volunteer at Mote Aquarium. After she graduates, she hopes to attend graduate school and then work within the marine rescue and rehabilitation field, eventually working in higher education. 

KAYLEE O'BRYAN

Lead Researcher 

Kaylee is a double major in Animal Studies and Psychology and will be graduating in May of 2025. Kaylee has always had a strong passion for the well-being of animals being most interested in dogs, manatees, big cats, and primates. While working with dogs most of her life and fostering and training two Doberman youths this past summer, she became highly intrigued about their behaviors and cognitive abilities. Since being at Eckerd, Kaylee has been involved with the Frick Animal Behavior Lab, collecting and studying research data on dolphins at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. After graduation, Kaylee would like to continue her education and become a Veterinarian Technician with a focus on working with Zoo animals.

ANSLEY BOSSART

 Lead Researcher  

Ansley is majoring in Animal Studies with minors in Marine Science and Spanish. She is passionate about animals and conservation and desires to pursue a career in animal care and rescue and rehabilitation. She is currently on the Parrot Cognition project with Apollo the African grey. She has her snake, Sammy, with her here at Eckerd. Ansley is grateful and excited to be joining the lab!

CAROLINE SIMPSON 

Lead Researcher   

Hi! My name is Caroline Simpson and I am an Animal Studies and Psychology double major with a double minor in French and Marine Biology. I am from Devon, Pennsylvania and animals have always been an important part of my life, especially my dog, Tucker. In the summer of 2023, I did internships at both The Elmwood Park Zoo and The Philadelphia Zoo and I am currently volunteering with Elmira's Wildlife Sanctuary. In the future I would like to attend graduate school to study animal cognition and behavior as well as conservation efforts for endangered species. 

ALEJANDRA LÓPEZ RUEDA

Lead Researcher 

Alejandra is a double major in Biology and Animal Studies, with a minor in chemistry. She grew up in Mexico City watching Tarzan and dreaming of one day traveling to study apes in the wild! In 2023, she completed an internship at the Greater Kruger Park, South Africa where she monitored different wildlife and their ecosystem. At Eckerd, she is the Science Editor for Triton Publications and is involved with the orangutan behavioral research project for the Conservation Behavior Lab. She is excited to explore this further through a comparative psychology lens and hopes to use the knowledge gained in her future career as a field researcher! 

Alison Loubet 

Research Assistant 

Hi! I'm Alison, and I am majoring in Animal Studies, with a minor in both Environmental Studies and Visual Art! I was born and raised in Florida, and have always had a passion for animals and animal care. I have worked with shelters and sanctuaries in releasing rehabbed wildlife back to nature, as well as some physical assessment work with incoming animal inhabitants at each. I am currently interested in animal rescue, as well as animal cruelty investigation and animal welfare assessment. I am also very interested in birds of all species and hope to work in bird behavior and psychology/cognition on the side. I have my pup, Callie, as well as my two cockatiels, Stuart and Marshal, helping me improve my work day after day!

Dai Goebel 

Research Assistant 

Dai is a double major in Marine Biology and Animal Studies, with minors in Ancient Studies and Biology. She is a huge lover of animals and is actively involved in several research projects and sanctuaries. Dai spent the summer as an intern with Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, and she was a Steidinger Scholar with the FWC this past year. She is currently conducting research with Apollo the African Grey Parrot in the Parrot cognition project. After graduation, Dai plans to travel and further her education to pursue her career! 

Rose Irwin  

Research Assistant 

Rose Irwin was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is currently double majoring in Animal Studies and Psychology. Her love for animals began as a child during frequent visits to zoos across the United States, where she developed a particular fascination with big cats. Throughout her life, Rose has cared for a wide variety of animals, including ducks, lizards, a hedgehog, and more. This experience sparked a passion for understanding both animal cognition and the health dynamics between animals and humans. In 2023, she interned at the Center for Victims in Pittsburgh, where she trained Advocate Dogs, further deepening her interest in animal behavior. Since attending Eckerd, Rose has continued to pursue her passion for animals and hopes to further develop her skills to work with large cats in the future.

Avery Powell  

Research Assistant 

Hey! My name is Avery, and I am an Animal Studies major with minors in Marine Science and Environmental Studies. I am from Michigan, where I grew up surrounded by all kinds of animals. I developed a love for them at an early age and have wanted to learn more about them ever since. I am interested in wildlife education and conservation, specifically regarding big cats. After Eckerd, I hope to travel and attend grad school. I am a research assistant on the dog symbolism project, and I am so excited to start this journey! 

Sarah Litman  

Research Assistant 

Hello! My name is Sarah Litman, and I’m a double major in Animal Studies and Psychology. I grew up in Maryland around animals, which solidified my passion for working with and researching their unique cognitive abilities. In the summer of 2024, I was a bird steward at Saint Pete Beach with Florida Audubon. I’m currently an assistant researcher on the CEVE project and The Parrot Cognition Project. After Eckerd, I plan on going to graduate school for comparative psychology. 

McKenna O’Brien   

Research Assistant 

Hi everyone! My name is McKenna O’Brien and I’m from Dayton, Ohio. I’m a double major in Animal Studies and Psychology with a minor in Biology. My entire life has been completely immersed with animals which has continued through my education. I believe the potential of the animal behavior and cognition discipline is highly underdeveloped, so I hope to assist on expanding the comparative psychology field. I have two amazing companion animals in my life, Penelope (as pictured) and Dobby, my tuxedo kitty. They, along with every animal I’ve encountered have inspired me to study animal behavior as my future professional career. 

Sophie Nocera   

Research Assistant 

Hi! My name is Sophia Nocera and I’m a junior at Eckerd! I am a double major in Psychology and Animal Studies with a minor in biology! I was born and raised in Naples, Florida and have cared for a wide variety of animals! I have always been passionate about animal welfare and would love nothing more than to study animal behavior in the future! I am starting as a project assistant for the CEVE project and I could not be more excited!!  

Brooke Hymiller    

Project Apprentice 

Brooke grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where her love for the ocean and animals was nurtured from an early age. Now a sophomore at Eckerd College, she is pursuing a double major in Marine Science and Animal Studies. In 2023, Brooke completed an internship with the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, gaining valuable hands-on experience with marine wildlife while working alongside the husbandry team. At Eckerd, she continues to fuel her passion for marine life, particularly elasmobranchs and is excited to deepen her expertise throughout her academic journey.