Nithucha Chandran Position/Title: M.Sc. by Coursework Candidate email: nchandra@uoguelph.ca Phone: Office: Personal Site LinkedIn

My research will involve analyzing the reasons behind feather pecking or locomotion (in relation to the keel bone) in laying hens. This will be accomplished under the supervision of Dr. Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek, Dr. Nienke van Staaveren and Dr. Emily M. Leishman (Harlander Lab). Currently, I am assisting Anna, a thesis student in our lab at the Arkell Research Station, where I am continuing to gain experience on hen handling and scoring feather pecking severity. I hope to take my experience from this animal welfare and behaviour program and one day apply it in a career as a welfare specialist at Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) or the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).

Education

• Ontario College Graduate Certificate: Regulatory Affairs - Sciences, Algonquin College (2021-2022)

• Ontario College Certificate: Animal Care, Durham College (2021-2021)

• B.Sc. (Honours): Major in Zoology & Minor in French Studies, University of Guelph (2015-2020)

Work & Volunteering

• City of Markham Animal Care Committee Board Member (June 2022-Present)

• Educator at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (March 2022-Present)

• Marketing and Communications Volunteer at Humane Canada (May 2021-Present)