Julie Barnes: “A Big Data Approach to Studying Feline Welfare in Shelters “
My first graduate student, Julie Barnes, finished her Masters project this summer and graduated! Julie did a great job on her project, which integrated aspects of animal welfare with big data and technology. Julie started her project in Fall 2019, right when I first joined as a brand new faculty member at UC. She weathered a lot of unexpected turmoil in her project, but persisted despite pandemic disruptions, technical difficulties, various equipment glitches, and learning R.
Thanks to all committee members: Theresa Culley, Katie Kalafut, and Lindsey Vansandt.
Alongside her research in shelter cat welfare, Julie has also been working with the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife at the Cincinnati Zoo to improve reproductive outcomes for large cats. She’s gotten the chance to work on snow leopards, tigers, a polar bear, and even got to ultrasound a hippo!
Julie already has a vet degree, but now adds a Masters degree to her credentials. She is continuing her reproduction work with a postdoc position with the Cincinnati Zoo at the Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife, where she will continue her research focused on feline reproduction.
Congratulations Julie!
