My new book, Kindred: Exploring the Inner Lives of Chimpanzees and Protecting the Future We Share, is now available for pre-order. It publishes in March 2027 — read more about it here.

I’m an animal welfare scientist whose work focuses on the wellbeing of animals living in human care. Over the last twenty years, I’ve worked across zoos, sanctuaries, and research institutions in the U.S., Europe, and Africa to understand how animals experience their environments and how science can support their welfare.

My career has included research positions at the Max Planck Institute in the Netherlands and the University of Chicago, and ten years leading the Animal Welfare Science Program at Lincoln Park Zoo. Much of my work has centered on collaborative, multi-institution efforts to develop practical tools and approaches that help caregivers and organizations make evidence-based decisions.

Today I advise, speak, and write about topics related to animal welfare, policy, program design, and the connections between humans and other species. I also serve on several advisory committees, including for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and Science for Animal Welfare.