My interests include ethnoornithology, ethnobiology, human dimensions of conservation, sociocultural dynamics and perceptions of human-wildlife coexistence and conflict, multispecies livelihoods, community-based conservation, animal ethics in tourism, wildlife ecotourism, sustainable ecosystems, sustainable development, and land use.
My current project examines birds in rescue and rehabilitation centers in Costa Rica and how their individual relationships with their veterinary caregivers affects their allostatic load (stress physiology) while in captivity and their post-release survival. I expect that this will contribute to the relevant literature in addressing the physiological responses of animals to the novel stimuli experienced during the rescue and rehab process. I also intend, through attempting to see the rehabilitation process from a bird's perspective, to contribute toward giving animals representation and a voice in a largely anthropocentric discourse around ecotourism governance.
