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The University's RIZE program — led by Ashley Byun, PhD, in partnership with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo — won first place for the conservation track.

College of Arts and Sciences students in the Research, Internships, and Zoo Education (RIZE) program recently earned top honors for their research at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) conference in Calgary, Canada. The students showcased three peer-reviewed projects conducted in collaboration with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport.

The RIZE program was developed with Ashley Byun, PhD, associate professor of biology, and vertebrate zoology lab students to conduct behavioral observation studies at Beardsley Zoo. Each spring semester since 2013 (with a one-year interruption due to the pandemic), students have gathered weekly at the zoo to conduct observation studies on a variety of species.

The research topics presented at the AZA conference included:

• Calling for Love: Using Vocalizations to Estimate Sexual Receptivity and Track Reproductive Patterns in Amur Leopards
• Hot and Bothered: Small Changes in Water Temperatures, Big Changes in Fish Behavior
• Zoo Social Dynamics of Black-Handed Spider Monkeys

These projects, supported by ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ's Biology Department and the Science Institute, were made possible through a strong partnership between the University's Center for Social Impact and the Beardsley Zoo. This collaboration provided students with invaluable experience, working closely with professionals in the field and studying some of the rarest animals on the planet. "Hands-on research experience is crucial for students," said Dr. Byun. "It helps them build the skills needed for postgraduate programs and professional careers, while also giving them opportunities to network within the scientific community."

ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ students Marlee Dubin '25, Max Cozzini '25, Rishi Black '25, Nora Crowley '26, Brianna Cassese '26, Elia Haghbin '26, and Lilley Barry '25 participated in the conference’s poster session, sharing their findings with peers and industry experts. They were among the few undergraduate groups presenting at the international event.

Rishi Black co-presented the research on black-handed spider monkeys, which explored the shifting social behaviors of the monkeys after the birth of Charlotte, the troop’s newest member. Black also attended various talks and found the session on global conservation personally impactful. "Learning about conservation efforts in places like Sri Lanka, where half my family is from, made the experience even more meaningful," she said.

The students' research and participation in the AZA conference were also supported by ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ’s INSPIRE program and the Fredrickson Family Innovation Lab, underscoring the University’s dedication to fostering innovation and student-led research.

ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ’s partnership with the Beardsley Zoo continues to provide students with opportunities to contribute to the broader field of conservation. "Our students understand that science is not only about discovery but also about improving the lives of all living things," said Dr. Byun.

To learn more, visit ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ University's RIZE program.

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