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Elena NardozziPosition/Title: MSc Student (Coursework) email: nardozze@uoguelph.ca Phone: Office:
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MY WORK AT GUELPH
I am currently completing a master’s by coursework degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare under the advisory of Dr. Derek Haley (https://ovc.uoguelph.ca/population-medicine/faculty/Derek-Haley) and alongside PhD candidate Paula Olivares Guzman (https://www.uoguelph.ca/ccsaw/people/paula-guzman). My project focuses on an abnormal repetitive behaviour first observed by the foreman at the Elora Beef Research Facility. It has barely been discussed in scientific literature or observed by people who work with cattle daily. The behaviour involves repeated rubbing of the anteriour part of the nose on the edge of the water trough, often intersperced with nose wetting. My project involves opportunistic observation of 4 pens of beef cows and calves per day via digital camera over the course of several months. The goal is to scientifically describe and quantify this behaviour to answer such questions as: When do they do this? How often do they do this behaviour and for how long? My hypothesis is that this is indeed a behaviour that a significant number of the cows perform and that it peaks after feeding, following other descriptions of bovine stereotypic behaviour.
PUBLICATIONS
I have not yet published or contributed to any research papers. Check back for updates.
BIOGRAPHY
I completed my undergraduate honours degree in Arts & Science at the University of Guelph, specializing in Hispanic studies and zoology. It was a delightful mix that exposed me to two very different fields. I spent a significant amount of time working in Dr. Andrew Peregrine and Dr. Tina Widowski’s labs, plus taught as a TA in Dr. Ian Duncan’s ‘Principles of Animal Care and Welfare’ course. My honours project focused on differing cultural perspectives of Hispanic workers in the poultry industry and was completed under the guidance of Penny Lawlis, Al Dam (OMAFRA), Dr. Ian Duncan, and Dra. Rosario Gomez.
After graduation, I continued to follow my passions: travel and animals. From trapping devils in Tasmania to observing oryx herds in the United Arab Emirates, I continued to assist with scientific research projects worldwide and develop as many animal-related skills as possible. I worked as a wildlife technician and permit manager at Predator Bird Services for 4 years, which involved training and using raptors for wildlife abatement as well as managing their government-issued permits (www.predatorbirdservices.com). During COVID, I was gifted with the opportunity to reassess my personal and career goals. I applied to return to Guelph and re-enter the academic arena in order to eventually pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. My goal is to merge veterinary medicine with emergency and disaster managment to address animal care and welfare during the increasing incidents we see occuring around the world. Thus, my journey deeper into animal behaviour and welfare continues.