Avanti Mallapur

Phone: 301-405-7988
Email: mallapur@umd.edu

Phone: 301-405-7988
Email: mallapur@umd.edu

Current Research
Currently (May 2006 to present) I am conducting the movement and space use component of a collaborative project in Dr. Inma Estevez’s lab entitled “Movement of farm animals: techniques for accurately assessing effects of experimental factors” funded by NRI Animal Protection Program. The main aim of the project is to develop a conceptual model of movement and use of space in domestic fowl. I will be conducting animal behavior experiments in order to validate mathematical models of animal movement. Through our research, we would like to provide a better understanding on how domesticated/ captive animals move and use space in confinement. We hope to improve management practices by providing an animal model, which will help to improve animal facilities for domesticated/ captive animals in the future.

Research Interests
My primary research interests have been (is) to document animal behavior to

1. Record quantity and quality of natural and abnormal behavioral patterns displayed
2. To study the differences in behavioral patterns between domesticated/ captive animals and their free-ranging counterparts (eg poultry and the red jungle fowl, captive and free-ranging primates)
3. To study the development of behavioral changes (abnormal behaviors) in confinement and to examine the factors influencing the change in the animal’s behavioral repertoire
4. To assess and to find ways improve animal welfare
5. To improve environmental condition for domesticated/ captive animals through better management practices, improved enclosure/pen designs and administration of environmental enrichment
6. To design animal awareness programs for animal managers and the general public, and to monitor them by conducting research

Phone: 301-405-7988
Email: ehleone@umd.edu

Biography

Erin Hoerl Leone was born in Wilmington, DE and attended Sanford School in Hockessin DE. After moving to upstate NY she graduated from Niskayuna High School in 1998 and from the College of William and Mary in May of 2001 with a B.S. in Psychology. She received an M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Maryland in May of 2004 under the supervision of Dr. Estevez; her thesis was entitled "Foraging strategies, use of space and aggressive behavior of domestic fowl (/Gallus gallus domesticus/)". Ms. Leone has maintained a 4.0 GPA at the University of Maryland and was the recipient of the M.S. Graduate Student of the Year award from the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences in 2005, awarded the the Mabel Spencer Award from the UMD Graduate School in 2005, and has twice received the Student Certificate of Excellence at annual Poultry Science Association meetings which are awarded to top 10% of student presenters. Most recently she was the PhD recipient of the Richard F. Davis Memorial Scholarship from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at UMD. Ms. Leone is finishing her doctoral work with Dr. Estevez and is focused on the movement patterns and use of space of domestic fowl.

Phone: 301-405-7988
Email: tcallicr@umd.edu

Phone: 301-405-7988
Email: tcallicr@umd.edu

Current Research

I am currently starting an environmental enrichment project in the lab of Dr. Inma Estevez. The goal is to determine the effect of four biologically relevant types of environmental enrichment on behavior of budgerigars, Melopsittacus undulatus. We are designing the enrichment devices based on two key behaviors of wild budgerigars, foraging and sheltering. The ability of the devices to elicit use by the budgerigars, as well as affect on overall activity level and behavioral repertoire, will be measured.
Birds used in this project will be progeny of two breeding colonies, one being fed a standard diet and one whose diet is supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid though to aid immune function. The impact of parental diet on innate and adaptive immune parameters will be measured in the experimental birds.

Research Interests

Research interests include:

1. The study of parrot behavior, especially as it pertains to increased understanding of the needs of parrots kept in captivity;
2. The use of biologically relevant enrichment and cage design to increase welfare of captive animals;
3. Provision and design of foraging opportunities for captive animals;
4. Effect of captive environment on the health of animals.

Education

2006 B.S. Oregon State University (Animal Science)

Phone: 301-405-7988
Email: pepsione@umd.edu

Phone: 301-405-7988
Room: 2101
Email: pepsione@umd.edu

Education:     
2006-Current        
University of Maryland, College Park, MD                          
Master’s Program, Animal Sciences     

2002-2005          
College Misericordia, Dallas, PA
Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology

2001-2002
Luzerne County Community College,
Nanticoke, PA  Associate of Science D

Honors:         
Dean’s List, College Misericordia (two times)
Academic Scholarship College Misericordia
Who’s Who Among College and University Students (2005)
President’s List Luzerne County Community College
Summa Cum Laude Luzerne County Community College
National Honor Society of Two Year Colleges- Phi Theta Kappa
National Dean’s List (08/01)

Research Experience
Current                 Graduate research at the University of Maryland
                              Dept. of Animal & Avian Sciences; Research advisor Dr. Inma Estevez
                              Thesis: ‘Male mating efficiency and sperm competition mechanisms in broiler breeders’

2004-2005            Undergraduate research at College Misericordia, Dept. of Chemistry
                              Research Advisor: Dr. Larry Pedersen
                              ‘Analysis of Wedelia trilobata for cytotoxic properties’

2004-2005            Undergraduate research at College Misericordia, Dept. of Biology
                              Research Advisor: Dr. Barbara McCraith
                              ‘Effects of Acid Rain on Lake Jean’

Representative Coursework:
Biometrics/Lab, Organic Chemistry I and II/Lab, Genetics/Lab, Comparative Anatomy and Histology/Lab,
Developmental Biology, General Microbiology/Lab, General Physiology/Lab, Biochemistry I and II, General Zoology/Lab, Marine Biology/Lab, Plant Physiology/Lab, General Botany/Lab, Computer Science /Lab, Immunology, Calculus II     

Employment History:
08/06 to Current                     University of Maryland, Dept. of Animal & Avian Sciences Research Assistant, Poultry Science
05/05 to 08/06                        College Misericordia, Chemistry Department, Lab Assistant
09/99 to 08/06                        Springfield Farms, Harding, PA; Barn Manager
10/03 to 10/04                        Animal Emergency Clinic of Wyoming Valley, Vet technician

Activities:                  
Animal Sciences Graduate Student Association (08/06 to current)
Pre-Med/Vet/Dental Club Treasurer (09/03 to 05/05)
Dead Alchemist Society Secretary and Active Member (09/03 to 05/05)
Biology Club Active Member (09/02 to 05/05)