![Schubot-Logo-2020](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/12/Schubot-Logo-2020.jpg)
Spring 2024
Dr. Greg Harrison
April 17th, 2024
“A conversation with Dr. Greg J. Harrison: My Avian Nutrition Experiences”
Dr. Greg Harrison
Diplomate Emeritus American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Avian Practice)
Dip. Emeritus European College of Zoological Medicine (Avian)
Founder and President of HBD International, Inc
Developer of Harrison’s Bird Foods
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-03-27-at-13.57.23_dd73971d-640x671.jpg)
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2024/04/Harrison.jpg)
Fall 2023
Dr. Amanda Beckman
December 1st, 2023
“Working with and educating the public: shared interest – shared rewards”
Dr. Amanda Beckman
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/12/Amanda-Beckman.jpg)
Dr. Donald Brightsmith
November 19th, 2023
“The art and science of Parrot Reintroduction”
Dr. Donald Brightsmith
Professor
Department of Vetpathobiology
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/10/Dr.-Don-Brightsmith-1.jpg)
Dr. Jen Cunha
October 26th, 2023
“Advancing Parrot Cognitive Enrichment with Communication Training and Technology Games”
Dr. Jen Cunha
Attorney and Animal Cognitions Trainer
Northeastern University Researcher
Parrot Kindergarden Inc
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/10/Dr.Jen-Cunha-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Dr. Stephanie Blain
October 4, 2023
“Reduced hybrid survival in a migratory divide between songbirds”
Dr. Stephanie Blain
Postdoctoral associate with Dr. Kira Delmore
Biology Department
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/09/Seminar-1-Fall-2023-640x949.jpg)
Spring 2023
Caitlin Mencio PhD & Dallas Clontz VVM
April 27, 2023
“Successful infection of Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) with avian bornavirus via intranasal inoculation.”
Caitlin Mencio PhD* & Dallas Clontz VVM **
* Assistant Research Scientist Schubot Center for Avian Health
** Veterinary Anatomic Pathology Resident
School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/04/Caitlin-Mencio.jpg)
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/04/Dallas.jpg)
Kelley Taylor
April 14, 2023
“The Possibility of Chlamydia psittaci Pandemic in Ancient America”
Kelley Taylor
Director and Founder Sacred Scarlets
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/04/Kelley-Taylor.jpg)
Barbara Heidenreich
April 13, 2023
“When the Right Thing is Negative. Optimizing Welfare with Negative Reinforcement”
Barbara Heidenreich
Barbara’s Force Free Animal Training
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/04/Barbara-H.jpg)
Ashley L. Cubb
March 8th, 2023
“Investigation of ophthalmic lesions from traumatic injury in Raptors”
Ashley L. Cubb
DVM Candidate
School of Veterinary Medicine
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/06/Ashley-Cubb-Headshot-1024x1282.jpg)
Dr. George Olah
January 24th, 2023
“Advancing genetic methods in the study of parrot conservation and trade”
Dr. George Olah
Postdoctoral Research Fellow • Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU | researchers.anu.edu.au
Visiting Senior Research Fellow • King’s College London | kcl.ac.uk
Director • Conservation Genomics | conservationgenomics.com
Research Consultant • BBC Natural History Unit | bbcstudios.com
Co-Founder • Wildlife Messengers | wildlifemessengers.org
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/01/George-Olah.jpg)
Rodrigo Leon, Biologist.
January 19th, 2023
“Macaw conservation in the Lacandón Rainforest, Mexico”.
Rodrigo Leon, Biologist
Wildlife Director, Natura Mexicana NGO
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/01/Rodrigo-Leon.jpg)
Fall 2022
R. Keith Andringa
December 1st, 2022
“Species-, Sex-, and Age-related microplastic ingestion in hunter-harvested dabbling ducks”
R. Keith Andringa
Ph.D. Candidate in Dr. Grace Lab
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/06/R.Keith-Andringa.jpg)
Elise Voltura. PhD Candidate
November 17th, 2022
“Captive parrots take it with a grain of salt too: recreating sodium-hunger driven geophagy in Monk Parakeets”
Elise Voltura
PhD. Candidate
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
School of Veterinary Medicine
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/01/Elise-Voltura.jpg)
Jeanne Fair, Ph.D.
November 2nd, 2022
“Long-term Avian Studies: Evolution of the System and Scientific Questions”
Jeanne Fair, Ph.D.
Scientist in Genomics and Bioinformatics Group
Los Alamos National Laboratory
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2023/01/Jeanne-Fair.jpg)
Heather L. Prestridge Ms.
October 25th, 2022
“Lights Out Texas: Team Based Approach to Integrating University Research, Natural History Collections and Citizen Science Conservation Efforts”
Heather L. Prestridge Ms.
Curator
Biodiversity Research & Teaching Collections Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2022/10/Heather-Prestride-1.jpg)
Francisco Ferreira PhD.
October 18, 2022
“Impacts of avian malaria and related parasites on free-living captive populations”
Francisco Ferreira, Ph.D.
Former Research Scientist at Smithsonian Institution
Assistant Research Scientist
Department of Entomology Texas A&M University
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2022/10/Francisco-Ferreiro.jpg)
Spring 2022
Emily Halsmer
March 22, 2022
“Clinical ophthalmic parameters of the Quaker parrot (Myiopwitta monachus)”
Emily Halsmer
Veterinary Student *
Lincoln Memorial University
Mentor: Dr. Erin Schott
*Participant in the Summer 2021 Veterinary Medical Scientist Research Training Program at TAMU
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2022/03/EmilyHalsmer-640x853.jpg)
Fall 2021
Timothy F. Wright, Ph.D.
December 6th, 2021
“Babel’s birds: functions and mechanisms of vocal learning in parrots”
Timothy F. Wright, Ph.D.
Professor Biology Department
New Mexico University
HOST: Schubot Center and Ecology and Evolutionary Program
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/12/Tim-Wright-1024x576.jpg)
Melanie Florkowski, Ph.D. Candidate
December 3rd, 2021
“Relationship between exploratory behavior and the gut microbiome in a wild songbird”
Melanie Florkowski
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Program
Ph.D. Candidate in Dr. Jessica Yorzonki’s Lab
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology
HOST: Schubot Center
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/11/MelanieFlorkowski-1-1024x1280.jpg)
Spring 2021
Amanda Beckman, PhD Student & Viridiana Martinez, PhD Candidate
Apr. 23, 2021
“Movement Ecology of Wild Turkeys in South Texas”
Amanda Beckman
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Program
PhD Student in Dr. Rosenthal’s Lab
HOST: Schubot Center
“Lack of Sexual Dimorphism in Stress-Induced Corticosterone in West Texas Breeding Birds”
Viridiana Martinez
Department of Ecology & Conservation Biology
PhD Candidate in Dr. Grace’s Lab
Host: Schubot Center
![Amanda Beckman holding a Turkey](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Amanda-Beckman-300x275.jpg)
![Viridiana Martinez holding a male cardinal](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Viridiana-Martinez-300x300.jpg)
Hannah Justen, MSc & Abby Kimmit, PhD
Apr. 9, 2021
“The Migratory Behavior of Juvenile Swainson’s Thrush Hybrids”
Hannah Justen, MSc
Department of Biology
Graduate Student in Dr. Kira Delmore’s Lab
HOST: Schubot Center
“Warmer Springs Predict Stronger Selection Favoring Earlier Breeding in a North American Songbird”
Abby Kimmit, PhD
Department of Ecology & Conservation Biology
Post-Doctoral Research in Dr. Grace’s Lab
Host: Schubot Center
![Hannah Justen](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Hanna-Justen-214x300.jpg)
![Dr. Abby Kimmitt holding a small sparrow](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Abby-Kimmitt-225x300.jpeg)
Scott Echols, DVM, Diplomate ABVP-Avian Practice
“Comprehensive Anatomy Research Project-Implications Across the Species”
Mar. 26, 2021
Mobile Avian Surgical Services
The Medical Center for Birds (Oakley, CA)
Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
HOST: Schubot Center/Dr. Sharman Hoppes
![Dr. Scott Echols holding a toucan](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/scott-w-toucan-300x270.jpg)
R. Keith Andringa
“Inter- and Intra- Specific Effects of Daily Weather on Dabbling Duck Collection Patterns”
Mar. 12, 2021
Department of Ecology & Conservation Biology
HOST: Schubot Center
![Keith Andriga](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/03/R.Keith-Andringa-300x297.jpg)
Janina Krumbeck, PhD
“Insight into the Dermal Microbiome of Monk Parakeets”
Feb. 25, 2021
MiDog, LLC
HOST: Schubot Center/Dr. Jill Heatley
![Janina Krumbeck in a lab](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/03/Janina-Krumbeck-picture-300x300.jpeg)
Fall 2020
Dayvion Adams, MS Student
“Are Avian Malaria Parasites a Mosquito’s Biological Nightmare?”
Oct. 8, 2020
Department of Entomology
HOST: Schubot Center/Dr. Gabriel Hamer
![Dayvion Adams holding a small bird](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Adams-Davyion-225x300.png)
Taylor Hains, PhD Candidate
“Utilizing Genomics to Understand Parrot Evolutionary History and Enhancing Population Management for Conservation and Aviculture”
Sept. 30, 2020
University of Chicago
HOST: Schubot Center/Dr. Janice Boyd
![PhD candidate Taylor Hains holding a green and gray parrot](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/06/Taylor-Hains-225x300.jpg)
Spring 2020
Dr. Judilee Marrow, DVM Dipl. ACZM
“Attwater’s Prairie Chickens – Threats to Saving the Most Endangered Species of North American Grouse”
Feb. 11, 2020
Staff Veterinarian, Houston Zoo
HOST: Schubot Center/Stephen Levert
![Dr. Judilee Marrow holding a prairie-chicken](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Judilee-Marrow-250x300.jpg)
Barbara Heidenreich
“Training to Improve Welfare and Release Success of Orangutans in Borneo”
Feb. 7, 2020
Barbara’s Force Free Animal Training
HOST: Schubot Center
![Barbara Heidenreich standing across from an orangutan in the borneo rainforest](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Barbara-Heidenreich-225x300.jpg)
Fall 2019
Dr. Giri Athrey
“The Genetic History of an Ice Age Pioneer, the Whooping Crane”
Nov. 5, 2019
Assistant Professor, Department of Poultry Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
HOST: Schubot Center
![Dr. Giri Athrey holding a small black, white, and yellow bird.](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Giri-Athrey-225x300.jpg)
Paulina Escandon, PhD Candidate
“Development of a Dot-Blot Enzyme Immunosorbent Assay to Detect Avian Bornavirus Antibodies”
Oct. 3, 2019
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
HOST: Schubot Center/Dr. Jeffrey Musser
![Paulina Escandon holding a parrot](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Escandon-Paulina-300x238.jpg)
Sonia Hernandez, DVM, PhD DACZM
“Wetland Wanderer or Urban Specialist: The American White Ibis as a Model System to Understand the Impact of Urbanization and Resource Provisioning on Wildlife”
Sept. 6, 2019
University of Georgia
HOST: Schubot Center/Dr. Sarah Hamer
![Dr. Sonia Hernandez in a field with several white ibises](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Sonia-Hernandez-300x283.jpg)
Spring 2019
Constance Woodman, PhD Student
“Avian Development and Reintroduction”
April 24, 2019
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology (Mentor: Dr. Donald Brightsmith)
HOST: Schubot Center/Dr. Donald Brightsmith
![Constance Woodman with two white cockatoos](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Constance-Woodman-300x300.jpg)
Undergraduate Research Day, featuring Ashley Ridlon & Mariel Ortega
April 17, 2019
“Egg Loggers and the Undergraduate Experience”
Ashley Ridlon
Conservation Scholar research program (Mentor: Dr. Don Brightsmith)
HOST: Schubot Center/Constance Woodman
“The Effects of Phishing and Playback on Avian Fitness”
Mariel Ortega
Conservation Scholar research program (Mentor: Dr. Jacquie Grace)
HOST: Schubot Center
![Ashley Ridlon next to her presentation board for Egg loggers and the Undergraduate Experience](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Ashley-Ridlon-225x300.jpg)
![](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2020/04/Ortega-Mariel.jpg)
Tom Tully, MS, DVM Diplomate, ABVP (Avian), ECZM (Avian)
“Helping Develop the Unknown: A Clinical Zoological Medicine Research Program”
April 10, 2019
Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine
HOST: Schubot Center/Dr. Jill Heatley
![Dr. Tom Tully's headshot](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Thomas-Tully-232x300.jpg)
Jeb Owens, MS, PhD
Apr. 2, 2019
“Avian Disease Ecology – Bridging Immunology, Behavior, and Landscape”
Associate Professor, Department of Entomology, Washington State University
HOST: Schubot Center/Dr. Sarah Hamer
![Dr. Jeb Owens holding a small, yellow bird](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Jeb-Owen-300x224.jpg)
Jill Heatley, MS, DVM, DABVP (Avian), DACZM
Mar. 27, 2019
“Effects of Lithium Supplementation on Feather Plucking in Birds”
Presenting the work of Elizabeth Cruser (Undergraduate Research Scholar)
HOST: Schubot Center
![Dr. Jill Heatley with a penguin](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Heatley-JJill-188x300.jpg)
Paulina Escandon, PhD Student
“Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Treatment of Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) Experimentally Inoculated with Parrot Bornavirus 2”
Mar. 27, 2019
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology (Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Musser)
HOST: Schubot Center/Dr. Jeffrey Musser
![Paulina Escandon holding a parrot](https://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2021/05/Escandon-Paulina-300x238.jpg)
Allison Guggenheimer
“Correlating Body Condition and Habitat Management of Wintering Duck Populations in Texas Wetlands”
Mar. 20, 2019
WFSC Department (Mentor: Dr. Jacquie Grace)
HOST: Schubot Center/Dr. Jacquie Grace