International Day of Women and Girls in Science
The United Nations General Assembly declares February 11th as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Women and girls continue to lead innovation and produce ground-breaking research around the world, despite being underrepresented in science and research.
We are very fortunate to have so many #womeninscience as part of the Applied Animal Biology program at UBC, led by an exceptional group of faculty members. These leaders, scientists, and mentors are making a difference in a wide range of disciplines. From studying feeding behaviour in cows, or working to improve the quality of life of shelter animals to researching the ethics of animal use in science, the women in the Animal Welfare Program are making inspiring contributions to science and research.
Marina (Nina) von Keyserlingk
Nina is a Professor in Applied Animal Biology with graduate students in the Animal Welfare Program. She holds an NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Dairy Cattle Welfare. Her research work is incredibly varied and she is world-renowned for her ability to share her research with colleagues, collaborators and the public. She teaches several courses including an undergraduate course “Animals and Society”, and mentors graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Nina also serves on advisory and expert committees for the cattle industry as well as the agriculture and food industries.
Kristen Walker
Kristen is a professor in the Applied Animal Biology Program in LFS. Her teaching focuses on compassionate conservation, wildlife management and animal behaviour. Kristen’s previous research focused on sea otter ecology and behaviour and pain responses of sea lions to invasive procedures. She supervises many undergraduates through directed studies focused on topics in compassionate conservation and wildlife management. She has collaborated with many community wildlife organizations, such as the Stanley Park Ecology Society’s Co-Existing with Coyotes program where she helped develop humane systems for co-existence with urban coyotes in Vancouver.
Alexandra (Sasha) Protopopova
Sasha is an Assistant Professor in Applied Animal Biology with graduate students in the Animal Welfare Program. New to UBC, but not new to research, she is currently researching methods to improve animal shelter practices as well as methods to improve the welfare of companion animals through behavioural interventions in shelters and in homes. Sasha is also researching the welfare of dogs working in assistance roles. Since arriving at UBC last August, she has begun supervising graduate students’ theses and undergraduate students through directed studies.
Catherine (Cathy) Schuppli
Cathy is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Animal Welfare Program in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and a Clinical Veterinarian. Cathy’s research interests include understanding the relationship of humans with animals, research ethics and researching practical ways to improve the emotional experiences of animals involved in animal research. Her work attempts to apply research findings to improve policy and practice and resolve conflict related to animal welfare. Cathy teaches Animals used in Science: Welfare and Ethics and mentors students in various projects that aim to improve the lives of animals in research.
Sara Dubois
Sara is the BC SPCA’s Chief Scientific Officer as well as an adjunct professor in the Animal Welfare Program. Her vast experience has included managing the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre, overseeing provincial wildlife and exotic animal projects, and now directing Science & Policy work province-wide. In her role, Sara leads four teams of animal welfare experts in wildlife, farm, and companion animal welfare science and policy, programming plus AnimalKind accreditation. She works on diverse issues from wildlife in tourism, animals in science, and academic partnerships. Sara also offers APBI 496, the Applied Animal Biology Practicum, where undergraduate students gain practical experience in animal care, outreach and education.
Joanna Makowska
Joanna is a Laboratory Animal Advisor for the Animal Welfare Institute as well as an adjunct professor in the Animal Welfare Program. Joanna’s early research includes humane euthanasia methods for laboratory rodents and welfare of laboratory rodents living in standard versus semi-natural conditions. Joanna’s ongoing research is at the intersection of animals and humans in science.
Recognizing, inspiring and engaging women in science is essential in order to encourage participation and provide women equal access to careers in science and technology.
Follow our twitter feed today to meet some of the exceptional graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the Applied Animal Biology program: https://twitter.com/ubcAWP