CCL Alumni
Graduate Students
Helen Marie Graves
Cara Hotchkin
Cara is working as a Marine Resources Specialist for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Norfolk, VA. She helps determine the effects of Navy exercises and noise on marine mammals, and assists with environmental analysis document preparation. She is also helping to design a museum exhibit that will have a large section on the science of sound and marine bioacoustics. She is looking forward to getting an in-house passive acoustic monitoring project off the ground and doing some analysis of the years of acoustic data that are available now.
Aaron Mitchel
Cara Hotchkin
Cara is working as a Marine Resources Specialist for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Norfolk, VA. She helps determine the effects of Navy exercises and noise on marine mammals, and assists with environmental analysis document preparation. She is also helping to design a museum exhibit that will have a large section on the science of sound and marine bioacoustics. She is looking forward to getting an in-house passive acoustic monitoring project off the ground and doing some analysis of the years of acoustic data that are available now.
Aaron Mitchel
Darryl F. Martin Koif
I am the lab manager for the CCL. I coordinate and keep track of everything in the lab. My responsibilities include meeting the administrative needs of the lab, providing research support, and overseeing the undergraduate research assistants.
I am currently on leave of absence from the clinical psychology Ph.D. program at Penn State. My clinical research interests center on the integration of technology in the treatment of psychopathology with an emphasis on anxiety and mood disorders.
I am currently on leave of absence from the clinical psychology Ph.D. program at Penn State. My clinical research interests center on the integration of technology in the treatment of psychopathology with an emphasis on anxiety and mood disorders.
Undergraduate Students
Nicole Anderson
For two years Nicole worked in the CCL, with the cotton-top tamarins. She graduated in Spring 2013 with a BS in Animal Sciences, minor in Wildlife and Fishery Sciences, and honors in Animal Sciences (with a thesis studying intentionality among cotton-top tamarins).
For the summer and early fall of 2013, she has an internship in nutritional research at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park’s Conservation Ecology Center. They focus on researching the nutrient composition of zoo animals’ milk as well as the formulations of their diet. Following this internship and a bit more career exploration, Nicole plans on attending graduate school in Fall 2014 to pursue a Master’s in the field of animal nutrition.
Nicole has provided the following words of wisdom: if you find yourself interested in graduate school, but have yet to decide exactly what you want to do, take a year off. Explore the world. Explore yourself. Learn and get experience. It’s what I’ve decided to do and I have no regrets having made that decision.
Ryan Grippo
Lili Hadsell
Lili is currently Munich where she just finished a Masters course in Berlin on Labor Rights and Multinational Corporations and will travel around Europe until she leaves for Austria to study abroad in Vienna for the fall semester.
Brittani Hollern
Courtney Horner
Krista Liguori
Traveling abroad in 2012 opened Krista's eyes to the global water crisis that is all too real for over a billion people. The more she learned, the more she knew she had to get involved. Working with Global Brigades in Honduras, she worked on designing and implementing a water system for one rural community in need. Upon returning to the US, she was introduced to Dr. Velegol who welcomed her into the Moringa Research group where she is currently a researcher. She is studying the Moringa Seed and working towards the development of a sustainable sand filter to provide potable water to the developing world.
Working with the tamarins was a unique experience and a great introduction for her as an undergraduate into the world of research!
Callie Serbonich
Tracy Tidabock
Tracy has returned to the American University in Cairo, Egypt, to complete her senior year. After graduation, she plans on enrolling in an applied ethology master's program at a university such as Nottingham Trent or Manchester Metropolitan in the United Kingdom/Jersey. Her aspiration is a career in endangered species recovery and conservation with Musteloidea specialization.
For two years Nicole worked in the CCL, with the cotton-top tamarins. She graduated in Spring 2013 with a BS in Animal Sciences, minor in Wildlife and Fishery Sciences, and honors in Animal Sciences (with a thesis studying intentionality among cotton-top tamarins).
For the summer and early fall of 2013, she has an internship in nutritional research at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park’s Conservation Ecology Center. They focus on researching the nutrient composition of zoo animals’ milk as well as the formulations of their diet. Following this internship and a bit more career exploration, Nicole plans on attending graduate school in Fall 2014 to pursue a Master’s in the field of animal nutrition.
Nicole has provided the following words of wisdom: if you find yourself interested in graduate school, but have yet to decide exactly what you want to do, take a year off. Explore the world. Explore yourself. Learn and get experience. It’s what I’ve decided to do and I have no regrets having made that decision.
Ryan Grippo
Lili Hadsell
Lili is currently Munich where she just finished a Masters course in Berlin on Labor Rights and Multinational Corporations and will travel around Europe until she leaves for Austria to study abroad in Vienna for the fall semester.
Brittani Hollern
Courtney Horner
Krista Liguori
Traveling abroad in 2012 opened Krista's eyes to the global water crisis that is all too real for over a billion people. The more she learned, the more she knew she had to get involved. Working with Global Brigades in Honduras, she worked on designing and implementing a water system for one rural community in need. Upon returning to the US, she was introduced to Dr. Velegol who welcomed her into the Moringa Research group where she is currently a researcher. She is studying the Moringa Seed and working towards the development of a sustainable sand filter to provide potable water to the developing world.
Working with the tamarins was a unique experience and a great introduction for her as an undergraduate into the world of research!
Callie Serbonich
Tracy Tidabock
Tracy has returned to the American University in Cairo, Egypt, to complete her senior year. After graduation, she plans on enrolling in an applied ethology master's program at a university such as Nottingham Trent or Manchester Metropolitan in the United Kingdom/Jersey. Her aspiration is a career in endangered species recovery and conservation with Musteloidea specialization.
Tinika Johns
I am a senior at Penn State University, Schreyer Honors College, majoring in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.
In Fall 2012, I began my position as a research assistant working with the cotton-top tamarins. I am currently studying inferential reasoning in tamarins for my honors thesis project.
While a considerable amount of my spare time is spent shadowing/volunteering at vet hospitals and animal shelters, as well as being an officer in the Small and Exotic Animals Club and a member of the pre-vet club, I also enjoy reading books and playing the organ and piano.
After graduation, I hope to attend veterinary school to ultimately be able to work as a veterinarian in the field of zoological medicine.
In Fall 2012, I began my position as a research assistant working with the cotton-top tamarins. I am currently studying inferential reasoning in tamarins for my honors thesis project.
While a considerable amount of my spare time is spent shadowing/volunteering at vet hospitals and animal shelters, as well as being an officer in the Small and Exotic Animals Club and a member of the pre-vet club, I also enjoy reading books and playing the organ and piano.
After graduation, I hope to attend veterinary school to ultimately be able to work as a veterinarian in the field of zoological medicine.
Tim Sainburg
I am currently a junior in Psychology, Neuroscience Option, with a minor in Biology at Penn State. Having been interested in animals my whole life, I was excited to find a job as an RA in the CCL working with cotton-top tamarins.
For the past few years I've freelanced as a web developer making websites for both local and international businesses.
My interest in psychology and biology are varied, but after graduating I hope to go to graduate school for evolutionary psychology/neuroscience.
For the past few years I've freelanced as a web developer making websites for both local and international businesses.
My interest in psychology and biology are varied, but after graduating I hope to go to graduate school for evolutionary psychology/neuroscience.
Silvia Oriani
I am currently a senior at Penn State University, majoring in Psychology with a Neuroscience option and minoring in Biology.
As a lover of all species of animals, investigating the limits of animal cognition has always been a fascinating topic to me, which drew me to pursue working in the cotton-top tamarin lab.
After graduation, I plan to gain further research experience working in a lab prior to pursuing a graduate degree.
In my spare time, I enjoy photography, playing tennis, and taking backpacking trips along the Appalachian Trail.
As a lover of all species of animals, investigating the limits of animal cognition has always been a fascinating topic to me, which drew me to pursue working in the cotton-top tamarin lab.
After graduation, I plan to gain further research experience working in a lab prior to pursuing a graduate degree.
In my spare time, I enjoy photography, playing tennis, and taking backpacking trips along the Appalachian Trail.
James Lillo
I am a Psychology Junior at Penn State and started in the lab in September 2012. I have always loved animals and finding out that there was a field of Psychology that involved animal cognition was a dream come true. My research interests include theory of mind, animal behavior, and the effect of captivity on animals.
After graduation I plan on taking a year off to conduct field research and going to graduate school to attain my Masters afterwards.
In my spare time I love to travel and this summer I will be tracking chimps in Uganda through an Earthwatch program. I also enjoy reading, playing sports, skiing, and attending live music shows.
After graduation I plan on taking a year off to conduct field research and going to graduate school to attain my Masters afterwards.
In my spare time I love to travel and this summer I will be tracking chimps in Uganda through an Earthwatch program. I also enjoy reading, playing sports, skiing, and attending live music shows.
Claire Elizabeth Bimes
I am an undergraduate student at Penn State University from Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Currently my major is Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, though I am also interested in Neuroethology and Biological Anthropology. Since I grew up around animals, I have always wanted to work in an animal-related profession, whether the focus is medical or behavioral.
Previously I have worked as a Veterinary Assistant and volunteered with several animal organizations. At Penn State I am a member of Pre-Vet Club, Student Red Cross Club, and EmpowerU. I also enjoy participating in Small and Exotic Animal Club. My other interests include outdoor activities such as running, swimming, and hiking, as well as knitting and reading.
After graduation I plan to attend graduate school for Neuroethology.
Previously I have worked as a Veterinary Assistant and volunteered with several animal organizations. At Penn State I am a member of Pre-Vet Club, Student Red Cross Club, and EmpowerU. I also enjoy participating in Small and Exotic Animal Club. My other interests include outdoor activities such as running, swimming, and hiking, as well as knitting and reading.
After graduation I plan to attend graduate school for Neuroethology.
Tucker Wilkinson
I am a Junior Neuropsychology major at Penn State with a minor in both Sociology and Biology. I also work with Dr. Alicia Grandey and Lawrence Houston in an Industrial/Organizational Research Lab on campus. I have been a UTA for Psych 100 in the past as well.
I am interested in assessing and diagnosing patients with neural complications and helping them through rehabilitation, so I plan on furthering my education by going to either medical school or getting my PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology.
I am a Junior Neuropsychology major at Penn State with a minor in both Sociology and Biology. I also work with Dr. Alicia Grandey and Lawrence Houston in an Industrial/Organizational Research Lab on campus. I have been a UTA for Psych 100 in the past as well.
I am interested in assessing and diagnosing patients with neural complications and helping them through rehabilitation, so I plan on furthering my education by going to either medical school or getting my PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology.
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