{"id":30,"date":"2026-09-08T16:29:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T16:29:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/?page_id=30"},"modified":"2026-09-28T20:36:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T20:36:55","slug":"meet-our-pack","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/meet-our-pack\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Our Pack"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dr. Margaret E. Gruen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB, Fear Free Certified<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Principal Investigator, Professor of Behavioral Medicine<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/provost.ncsu.edu\/ofe\/awards-and-honors\/university-faculty-scholars\/\">2022-23 University Faculty Scholar<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/2022\/04\/nc-state-announces-2021-22-goodnight-early-career-innovators%ef%bf%bc\/\">2021-22 Goodnight Early Career Innovator<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Gruen completed her veterinary degree at the University of Illinois. She came to North Carolina State University for an internship followed by a residency in veterinary behavior. She completed a Masters in Veterinary Public Health and became a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. After a few years on the faculty at NC State, she decided to pursue a PhD with a focus on understanding the behaviors associated with pain in cats with naturally-occurring arthritis. She then spent two years at Duke University, where she co-directed the Canine Cognition Center, and now has returned to North Carolina State University as an Associate Professor of Behavioral Medicine. <\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1112\" height=\"609\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-184\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2025-01-28-160540.png\"\n         alt=\"Dr. Gruen with feline study participant\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2025-01-28-160540.png 1112w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2025-01-28-160540-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2025-01-28-160540-1024x561.png 1024w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2025-01-28-160540-768x421.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1112px) 100vw, 1112px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-accordion\" >\n    <div class=\"accordion isLinked\" id=\"ncst-accordion-rea96c\">\n          \n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"rea96c\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n                  <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Career<\/h2>\n              <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/nc-state-vet-hospital\/small-animal\/behavioral-medicine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Behavioral Medicine Service<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=ZNY7WskAAAAJ&amp;hl=en&amp;oi=ao\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Publications <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1AqYnvofqAU_Xto4RiCMHCh7q7N0LrDMA\/view?usp=sharing\">CV<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-accordion\" >\n    <div class=\"accordion isLinked\" id=\"ncst-accordion-9wug92\">\n          \n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"9wug92\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n                  <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Research Emphasis<\/h2>\n              <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Spontaneous Animal Disease Models<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Human-Animal Interaction; Pain Management; Cognition and Ageing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"9wug92\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n                  <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Affiliations and Certifications<\/h2>\n              <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Affiliations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Comparative Pain Research and Education Center (CPREC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Certifications:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (DACVB)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fear Free Certification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feline Friendly Veterinarian Certification<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Pack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sina Mahs, BS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lab Manager &amp; Research Assistant<\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sina received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia and began her career as a zookeeper, spending six years working closely with a variety of species before relocating to North Carolina in 2021. Sina joined NC State\u2019s College of Veterinary Medicine first in their Laboratory Animal Resources department as an Animal Care Technician, later advancing to the role of Enrichment Specialist, where she focused on improving animal wellbeing through behavioral enrichment and training programs. Driven by her interest in animal behavior, she joined the Thinking Pets Program in 2025 to support behavioral research in companion animals. In her spare time, Sina enjoys reading, gardening, kayaking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She is a proud pet parent of three fur babies, Maki, Leia, and Misha, and a scale baby, Steve.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"594\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-188\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/IMG_5573-opti.jpg\"\n         alt=\"Sina Mahs\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/IMG_5573-opti.jpg 800w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/IMG_5573-opti-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/IMG_5573-opti-768x570.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maggie Creamer, PhD<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Post Doctoral Research Associate<\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Maggie Creamer got her doctorate at UC Davis in Animal Behavior and graduated as part of the Center of Animal Welfare housed within the department of Animal Science. Her PhD was focused on individual differences in cattle and how these are observed both in management contexts and while cattle are grazing on extensive, California rangelands. Maggie has always pursued research to improve animal welfare by understanding better how animals process and interact with their environment and in her new postdoctoral role at NC State, has pivoted this interest from livestock species to companion animal species. She is co-advised by Dr. Gruen and Dr. Lascelles at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine and is working on projects relating to understanding cognitive decline and negative affective states in dogs with Osteoarthritis both as a means to improve the health and welfare of our canine companions and also to understand this disease better in humans.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"314\" height=\"320\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-189\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-131000.png\"\n         alt=\"Maggie Creamer\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-131000.png 314w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-131000-294x300.png 294w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Zoe Loh, PhD<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Post Doctoral Research Associate<\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Zoe Loh, holds a PhD in Pathology from Duke University, where she conducted groundbreaking studies under the mentorship of Dr. Ming Chen. Her doctoral research unveiled a novel nuclear function for PTEN in regulating dTMP biosynthesis, with potential implications for targeting prostate cancer cells with excluded PTEN from the nucleus using antifolate drugs. Currently, Dr. Loh serves as a postdoctoral researcher at the NCSU Vet School, collaborating with Dr. Margaret Gruen and Dr. Duncan Lascelles. Her current focus lies in investigating alterations in cognitive domains among dogs suffering from chronic osteoarthritic pain. Beyond her research endeavors, Dr. Loh is a compassionate caregiver, devoting her time at home to fostering litters of puppies and kittens from various&nbsp;local shelters and rescues.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"319\" height=\"326\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-190\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-130918.png\"\n         alt=\"Zoe Loh\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-130918.png 319w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-130918-294x300.png 294w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 319px) 100vw, 319px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Morgan Ferrans, PhD<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Post Doctoral Research Associate<\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Morgan Ferrans received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2019 from Duke University. She remained at Duke for both her Master&#8217;s and PhD in Psychology and Neuroscience and graduated in 2025. Her PhD was focused on Animal Cognition. Morgan worked in the Hare Lab and Duke Canine Cognition Center, and brings a wealth of experience with her to NC State. Morgan is a loving pet-parent of both a dog and cat. Her dog, Goose, is a regular participant at the Thinking Pets Program!<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"306\" height=\"321\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-191\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-131038.png\"\n         alt=\"Morgan Ferrans\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-131038.png 306w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-131038-286x300.png 286w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 306px) 100vw, 306px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kara Moore, MSc<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Research Assistant<\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kara received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bates College and her Master of Science in Marine Sciences from UC-Santa Cruz. She works on our puppy cognition study in partnership with <a href=\"https:\/\/evolutionaryanthropology.duke.edu\/research\/dogs\">Duke University&#8217;s Canine Cognition Center<\/a>, which aligns with her past research experience in animal behavior. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and boating.<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-192\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Kara-Moore-Cropped-600x600-1.jpg\"\n         alt=\"Kara Moore\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Kara-Moore-Cropped-600x600-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Kara-Moore-Cropped-600x600-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Kara-Moore-Cropped-600x600-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kyle Smith, PhD<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Post Doctoral Research Associate<\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Kyle Smith got his start studying dogs in 2017 when he started working as the lab manager for the Duke Canine Cognition Center. During this time, he compared the cognition of dogs and wolves, and he helped create the Duke Puppy Kindergarten. Subsequently, he completed his Ph.D. in anthropology at the Pennsylvania State University, where he studied the relationship between dog cognition, behavior in a dog park, owner perceptions, cortisol, and the microbiome. He joined the Thinking Pets Program as a postdoctoral researcher in 2025 not long after completing his Ph.D. In his spare time, he enjoys board games, finding fossils, and spending time with his partner and their dog Gali and cat Tuli.<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-193\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Kyle-Smith-personal-photo-600x600-1.jpeg\"\n         alt=\"Kyle Smith\"          style=\"object-position:44% 32%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Kyle-Smith-personal-photo-600x600-1.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Kyle-Smith-personal-photo-600x600-1-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Kyle-Smith-personal-photo-600x600-1-150x150.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sera Hill, BS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Research Technician<\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sera Hill received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from North Carolina State University in December 2025. She is currently a Research Assistant working across both Dr. Gruen\u2019s and Dr. Lascelles\u2019 laboratories, where she is gaining hands-on experience in behavioral and pain research as a mentee of both investigators. Her research interests include animal cognition, pain, and behavioral neuroscience. As an undergraduate, Sera spent two years in the Comparative Behavior Lab, where she developed a strong foundation in behavioral research. She also contributed to research presented at the Duke Maixner Pain Research Symposium and the NC State Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium. Sera\u2019s passion for animal research began with her lifelong love of dogs &#8211; her family has cared for ten dogs and two horses over the years, an experience that sparked her interest in animal behavior and welfare. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading and journaling, traveling, and thrifting.<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"325\" height=\"317\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-194\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/IMG_9159-2.jpg\"\n         alt=\"Sera Hill\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/IMG_9159-2.jpg 325w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/IMG_9159-2-300x293.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 325px) 100vw, 325px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Rising Wolves<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clay Williams<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clay is a senior double majoring in Biological&nbsp;Sciences with a Human Biology concentration and Psychology. He joined The Thinking Pets Program as an undergraduate research assistant in Fall 2025 and works with handling and behavior coding. After graduating, Clay plans to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing to become a nurse anesthetist. In his free time, he enjoys watching soccer, traveling, skiing, and playing with his dog, Mabel.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"525\" height=\"600\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-195\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/53604-e1770062578511-525x600-1.jpg\"\n         alt=\"Clay Williams\"          style=\"object-position:44% 32%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/53604-e1770062578511-525x600-1.jpg 525w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/53604-e1770062578511-525x600-1-263x300.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lilly Kohout<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lilly is a sophomore majoring in Agricultural Science with concentrations in Animal and Poultry Science and a minor in Statistics. She joined The Thinking Pets Program as an undergraduate research assistant in May 2025. Her research interests include animal welfare, cognition, and the human\u2013animal bond in companion and food animal species, particularly in relation to socioeconomic development and food insecurity. Her 12-year-old hermit crab, Pickles, and backyard chickens first sparked her interest in animal welfare. In her free time, she is a competitive jump roper and judge, and enjoys rock climbing, thrifting, and traveling.<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"556\" height=\"600\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-196\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-02-03-121345-556x600-1.png\"\n         alt=\"Lilly Kohout\"          style=\"object-position:44% 32%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-02-03-121345-556x600-1.png 556w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-02-03-121345-556x600-1-278x300.png 278w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 556px) 100vw, 556px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alumni<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-accordion\" >\n    <div class=\"accordion isLinked\" id=\"ncst-accordion-v3aa0i\">\n          \n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"v3aa0i\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n                  <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Comparative Behavioral Research Laboratory <\/h2>\n              <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Eleanor McNamee, BA, BS<\/strong>, Laboratory Manager and Research Assistant, 2023-2025<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dr. Rachel Caddiell, PhD<\/strong>, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, 2019-2025<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Beth Chase, MS<\/strong>, Research Assistant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ilex Starenchak, LAT, M. Bio<\/strong>, Laboratory Manager &amp; Research Assistant, 2022-2023<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hope Woods, BA<\/strong>, Laboratory Manager &amp; Research Assistant, 2019-2022<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dr. Michael Khan, DVM<\/strong>, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, 2020-2022<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dr. Rachael Cunningham, DVM<\/strong>, Post Doctoral Research Associate, 2020-2021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"v3aa0i\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n                  <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Undergraduate Alumni<\/h2>\n              <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-red-heading-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Kyshaun Bowie<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Javian McMillan<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Jennifer Thompson<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Katelyn Coleman<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Sera Hill<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Nicole Harris<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Lauren Sneed<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Urwa Rashid<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item\" name=\"v3aa0i\"  >\n      <summary class=\"accordion-item__header\">\n        <span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\">\n          <span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span>\n        <\/span>\n                  <h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h6\">Summer Veterinary Scholars<\/h2>\n              <\/summary>\n      <p>\n        \n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-red-heading-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Michelle Stern<\/strong>, 2025<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Curtis Greene<\/strong>, 2025<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Bec Mitchell<\/strong>, 2025<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Gail Reid Murray<\/strong>, 2024<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Carson Copeland<\/strong>, 2024<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Samantha Dunn<\/strong>, 2023<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Gabriella Zayas Santiago<\/strong>, 2021<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Katie Kurtz<\/strong>, 2020<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Jackie Blake<\/strong>, 2019<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Kylie Grady<\/strong>, 2019<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Megan Carson<\/strong>, 2019<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Irina Perdew<\/strong>, 2019<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n      <\/p>\n  <\/details>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Joining Our Pack<\/h4>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-blockquote\">\n    <p>If you are an NC State undergraduate student and are interested in getting involved with our research, please email <em><a href=\"mailto:cvm_thinkingpets@ncsu.edu\">cvm_thinkingpets@ncsu.edu<\/a><\/em> with your information and availability!<\/p>\n  <\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Margaret E. Gruen DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB, Fear Free Certified Principal Investigator, Professor of Behavioral Medicine 2022-23 University Faculty Scholar 2021-22 Goodnight Early Career Innovator Our Pack Sina Mahs, BS Lab Manager &amp; Research Assistant Maggie Creamer, PhD Post Doctoral Research Associate Zoe Loh, PhD Post Doctoral Research Associate Morgan Ferrans, PhD Post Doctoral&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6858,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/split-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"backgroundColor\":\"custombg_one\",\"imageID\":109,\"imageURL\":\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/565\/2026\/09\/IMG_8280-scaled-e1751558723226.jpeg\",\"focalPoint\":{\"x\":0.51,\"y\":0},\"imageAlt\":\"\"}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-30","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6858"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":197,"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30\/revisions\/197"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-behavioral-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}