Poster Presentations
Posters will be on display during Exhibit Hall Hours in the rear of the Exhibit Hall. The authors of each poster will be present for discussion during the Poster Reception, Wednesday, September 13, from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Beer, wine, and light appetizers will be served.Posters are listed by primary track.
Animal Management, Health & Welfare
A Comparison of Three Different Enrichment Types for Nile Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) To a Baseline 24-Hour Activity Budget
- Natalie Ervin, Graduate Student, Colorado State University
Analysis of Macro and Microplastics Present in Sri Lankan Wild Elephant Feces
- Lalith Jayawickrama, Professor, University of Dubuque
Assessing the Behavioural and Physiological Wellbeing of Ambassador Animals Used for Education Programs in Zoos
- Shao Doyon-Degroote, MSc. Student, Concordia University
Assessment of Steroid Hormone Concentrations in Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) Feathers
- Corinne Kozlowski, Endocrinologist, Saint Louis Zoo
A Unified Approach to Elephant Management: AZA’s Strategic Plan for Thriving Elephant Populations
- Matthew Krcmarik, Coordinator, Animal Programs, Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Calculating Longevity of Elasmobranchs in AZA Aquaria From Animal Records
- Ari Schlumbohm, Graduate Student, Colorado State University
Call Me Maybe? Using Videoconferencing in Enrichment Assessment and Approval
- Meredith Bashaw, Professor & Chair, Franklin & Marshall College
Does Interest in a Magic Trick Reflect an Animal’s Welfare State? Curiosity as a Welfare Metric
- Emily Walco, Wellness and Conservation Research Associate, San Francisco Zoo
Enclosure Usage and Activity Budget of the Philippine Crocodile Crocodylus Mindorensis Under Managed Care
- Michelle Roy, Student, Colorado State University/Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
Enrichment Enhanced by Training Reduced Display of Undesirable Behaviors
- Lesia Hryhorenko, Student, University of St. Andrews
Environmental Complexity Impacts on Cluster Density of Seba’s Short-Tailed Bats (Carollia perspicillata)
- Katie Vyas, Director of Animal Wellness and Research, Denver Zoo
Foot Clenching as a Potential Indicator of Pain in Gorillas
- Katie Hall, Coordinator of Animal Welfare and Behavioral Husbandry, Sedgwick County Zoo
Gorilla Oral Sugar Test: Research and Management Applications
- Kaylin Tennant, Graduate Research Associate, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Improving Behavioral Welfare in Reptiles at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
- Amanda MacDonald, Professional Science Masters in Zoo Management Student, Colorado State University & Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Innovations in the Care of a Sensitive Dragonfly
- Andrew Draper, Graduate Student, Colorado State University
- Jonah Fronk, Research Fellow, Colorado State University and Butterfly Pavilion
Investigating the Effects of Public Events and Special Attractions on Zoo Animal Well-Being
- Liam Kelly, Animal Wellness Research Analyst, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Measuring the Effectiveness of Well-Being Based Educational Signage on the Reduction of Undesirable Behaviors of a White Bellied Bustard and Aversive Visitor Behaviors
- Liam Kelly, Animal Wellness Research Analyst, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Measuring the Impact of Environmental Changes on Giraffe Welfare
- Anna De Jong, Graduate Student, Colorado State University
Non-Conspecific Interactions of a Newly Introduced Bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus)
- William Allen, Research Assistant, Zoo Atlanta - Research
PMCTrack: A One Stop Shop for How Your Facility Collaborates in AZA Animal Programs
- Amelia Berle, PMCTrack Coordinator, AZA Population Management Center
- Lisa J. Faust
- John A. Andrews
- Jim Oliver
- Tony Nieman
Psychological and Social Well-Being of Bony Fishes in Zoos and Aquariums
- Ronald Oldfield, Senior Instructor, Case Western Reserve University
The AZA Strategic Framework for the Wellbeing of Animals
- Clara Arndtsen, Animal Wellbeing Program Assistant, Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Impact of Unnatural Dispersal Patterns on the Social Welfare of Bonobos Living in Human Care
- Sara Skiba, Research Associate, Ape Initiative
Understanding Motivations of Aggression of Ring-Tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta) In Managed Human Care
- Alia Zieg-Link, Master's Student, Colorado State University PSM Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter Management
Updates to AZA’s Animal Programs With a Focus on Species Survival Plans Moving Forward
- Marissa Boland, Program Assistant, Animal Programs, Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Utilization of Artificial Intelligence to Better Understand Behavior in African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus)
- Brenna Braasch, Master's Student, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Utilizing Zoomonitor to Enhance the Welfare of University-Housed Convict Cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata)
- Kelly Barbour, Senior Laboratory Coordinator and Instructor, Thomas More University
- Faith Smiddy, Wild Encounters Interpreter, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Zoo Budget Tracker: A Tool for Smaller Zoos to Analyze Inventory Fluctuations and Facilitate Budget Approximation
- Yichen Zhang, Graduate Student, Colorado State University
Zoo-Housed Pangolin Maternal and Pup Nesting Burrow Behavior
- Lisa Lauderdale, Animal Welfare Scientist, Chicago Zoological Society
Aquarium Affairs
A More Dynamic Fish Anesthesia Cart
- Kyle Koehler, Assistant Curator of Quarantine, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
One Welfare for Public Aquariums: How Modeling Can Be Used To Predict Impacts on Humans, Animals, and the Environment
- Brittany Fischer, Conservation Coordinator of Marine Species & Ecosystems, Indianapolis Zoo
To Hold or Not To Hold? Does Presentation Style Affect Learning Outcomes and Visitor Perceptions in Ambassador Animal Programs?
- Jeff Harms, Education Manager, Oregon Coast Aquarium
Conservation
Beyond the Zoo: Improving Conservation Through Research
- Erik Runquist, Conservation Research Scientist, Minnesota Zoo
Cat Calls: Analyzing Possible Estrus Cues in Amur Leopards
- Emma King, Student, Fairfield University
- Marlee Dubin, Fairfield University
Collaborative Conservation Impact
- Tiffany Evans, Educator, Saint Louis Zoo
- Keri Lammering, Conservation Education Liaison
Counting Butterflies, Measuring Success: Assessing the Impact of Butterfly Releases in the Collaborative Effort to Save the Poweshiek Skipperling
- Laura Burns, Conservation Programs Manager, Assiniboine Park Zoo
Engagement of Meibae Community Conservancy Youth To Improve the Success of Camera Trap Surveys, Samburu County
- Aemilia Mosswood, Candidate in the Professional Science Master's for Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter Management, Colorado State University
Engaging the Zoo and Aquarium Population of Polar Bears in Scientific Studies
- Amy Cutting, VP of Conservation, Polar Bears International
Habitual Habitat Loss - Why Our Lack of Consideration Is Killing Earths Biodiversity With Every Cup
- Ryan Lewton, Managing Partner, Conservation Coffee
How Sorting Compost Connects the Dots Between Zoo, Community, and Climate Action
- Adrienne Mrsny, Conservation Manager, Oakland Zoo
Idaho Falls Zoo’s Results on Using an Empathy-based Model to Measure Conservation Behavior in Guests
- Sunny Katseanes, Public Engagement Coordinator, Idaho Falls Zoo
Innovative Approaches to Increasing Pollinator Habitat
- Richard Reading, VP of Science and Conservation, Butterfly Pavilion
- Amy Yarger, Horticulture Director, Butterfly Pavilion
- Patrick Tennyson, President and CEO, Butterfly Pavilion
Making the Complex Simple - The Development of a Public Facing Policy Campaign
- Paul Cox, CEO, Shark Trust
No Mow May: Pollinator Conservation
- Auriana Donaldson, Conservation Programs Coordinator, Zoological Society of Milwaukee
Reintroducing Staff to the Wild - Project Puffin and AZA
- Mary Gunther, Instructor, Salisbury University
Rewilding the Valley Dragon: Captive Propagation and Repatriation of Blunt-Nosed Leopard Lizards (Gambelia sila)
- Rory Telemeco, Director of Conservation Science, Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Snaring in a Stronghold: Poaching of Critically Endangered Tigers in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia
- Joe J. Figel, Conservation Fellow, Memphis Zoo; Leuser International Foundation
- Renaldi Safriansyah, Leuser International Foundation; Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry
- Said Fauzan Baabud, Leuser International Foundation
- Zulfan Herman, Leuser International Foundation
Variation in the Ranging Patterns of a Reintroduced Species, the California Condor, in Southern California (2014-2022)
- Andrea Blackburn, Postdoctoral Associate, Santa Barbara Zoo
Why Did the Freshwater Mussel Decide To Grow in the Laboratory? Because It Wanted To Live a Cultured Life!
- Kaitlin Ulin, Graduate Research Associate, Freshwater Mussel Conservation and Research Center (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)

Motivation of Major Gift Donors at the Wildlife Conservation Society
- Irene Masoutis, Master’s Student, Colorado State University
Education
Bear in Mind: Starting an Animal Program Podcast
- Emily Bisordi, Program Coordinator, Capron Park Zoo
- Lisa Lidgus, Conservation Education Liaison, Saint Louis Zoo
Bringing Hope To Messaging About Endangered Species on Zoo Websites: A Focus on Lemurs
- Lynne Venart, Digital Communications Manager, Lemur Conservation Network
Effect of Bat Education Event at the Idaho Falls Zoo on Public Perceptions of Bats in Idaho
- Jericho Whiting
- Bailey Seamons
- Alyssa Wilson
- David Langlois
Enhancing Family Engagement in Community Nature Programs
- Emily Murgia, Conservation Learning Manager: Children and Families Programs, Denver Zoo
Experimentally Evaluating the Effects of Ambassador Animals on Conservation Knowledge and Attitudes
- Daniel Kirsch, Conservation Educator, New York Aquarium
How Do Zoo Visitors Define Animal Wellbeing? A Qualitative Approach
- Wilson Sherman, Community Engagement & Collaborative Research Fellow, Conservation Society of California - Oakland Zoo
- Ashley Terry, Senior Manager of School & Family Programs, Oakland Zoo
Reinventing Summer School To Meet the Needs of Low-Performing Students
- Lauren Magliola, Education Manager, Early Childhood Programs, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
Salisbury Zooniversity Advisory Group (SZAG) Working to Foster Collaboration Between Salisbury University and the Salisbury Zoo
- Mary Gunther, Instructor, Salisbury University
Soaring to New Heights in Educational Programming: Tools for Landing a Program for Multiple Age Groups
- Rebekah Wilson, Professional Science Master's in Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter Management Candidate, Rocky Mountain Raptor Program and Colorado State University
Trading Cards, Trading Stories: Building an Economy of Engagement
- Patrick Wolff, Manager of Public Programs, Oakland Zoo
Unintended Consequences? An Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Zoo Animal Handling Style on Children’s Conservation Attitudes
- Sean Palmer, Student, Otterbein University
- Dr. Michelle Acker, Otterbein University
- Dr. Anna Young, Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
WCS Presents Field Sight: Bringing Global Conservation Field Work Into Zoo and Aquarium Classrooms
- Anine Booth, Manager of Professional Development, Wildlife Conservation Society

Redeveloping the Communication Platform To Maximize Effective Partnerships and Opportunities With Other Organizations
- Tatiana Jourdan, Professional Science Master's Student, Colorado State University
- Andrea Haugen, Senior Cat Ambassador Program Trainer, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Conservation Breeding Centers: Lessons for Zoos
- Russell Ploutz, Principal, Zoo Design Inc
Empathy Infusion in Exhibit Design
- Cari Garand, Seattle Aquarium
- Nicole Killebrew, Seattle Aquarium
Flying Bamboo Across the Globe and Invisible Animals: Tales of Feeding Animals in Zoos
- Sabrina Brando, Director / PhD Candidate, AnimalConcepts
Manyzoos: A Big-Data Collaboration Among Zoos
- Victoria O'Connor, Animal Enrichment, Training, & Welfare Supervisor, Bergen County Zoo; PhD candidate, Oakland University; Co-founder, ManyZoos Project
- Lisa Barrett, Lecturer, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University Bloomington; ManyZoos Project
- Fay Clark, University of Bristol; ManyZoos Project
- Marianne Freeman, University Centre Sparsholt; ManyZoos Project
- Ellen Williams, Nottingham Trent University; ManyZoos Project
The Sinister Six of Accessibility
- Tai Penn, MPA-MSES Graduate Student, Indiana University

A Culture of Care: Individual, Leadership, and Organisational Aspects of Human Wellbeing in Zoos and Aquariums
- Sabrina Brando, Director / PhD Candidate, AnimalConcepts
Amplifying a Culture of Animal Excellence at the Cincinnati Zoo
- David Orban, Director of Animal Science & Strategy, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Improving Interdisciplinary Collaboration Through the Model of Community-Based Conservation Storytelling
- Monae Verbeke, Director of Evaluation, Institute for Learning Innovation
Knowing vs. Doing: Analysis of Leadership Program Participants’ Self-Efficacy
- Dr. Taylor Gilley, Staff Learning & Development Manager, Houston Zoo
Pathways, Barriers, and Opportunities for BIPOC Professionals in Animal Care at Zoos and Aquariums
- Naomi Lewis, Undergraduate Student, Otterbein University
- Dr. Michelle Acker, Department of Psychology, Otterbein University
- Dr. Su-Jen Roberts, Director of Educational Research & Evaluation, Wildlife Conservation Society
- Dr. Anna Young, Vice President of Learning and Impact, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens