CV

Oakland University

Department of Biological Sciences

118 Library Dr.

Rochester, MI 48309

PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION

Michigan State University - Zoology - B.S. with High Honor, 2007

University of Illinois at Chicago - Biological Sciences (Ecology and Evolution) - Ph.D., June 2016

DISSERTATION RESEARCH

Animal Welfare Assessment Through Foraging: Understanding Animals' Points of View

· Applications of foraging ecology and patch-use/Giving- Up Density (GUD) methodology to assess the environmental perceptions and preferences of both captive and wild animals.

APPOINTMENT HISTORY

Aug 2018-present: Special Lecturer: Oakland University, Rochester, MI

Aug 2017-Aug 2018: Lecturer: Oakland University, Rochester, MI

Aug 2016-Dec 2016: Lecturer I: Animal Behavior: University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI

May 2013-Aug 2016: NSF Graduate Research Program Fellow: University of Illinois at Chicago

Jan 2012-May 2014: Undergraduate Research Mentor: University of Illinois at Chicago

Aug 2011-May 2013: Graduate Teaching Assistant- University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL

Aug 2010-Aug 2011: Sr. Research Technician- University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

April 2008-Aug 2010: Research Technician – Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

June 2007-Jan 2008: Animal Behavior Research Intern- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Orlando, FL

Sept 2006-June 2007: Primate Training and Enrichment Intern- Potter Park Zoo, Lansing, MI

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

2022 Oakland University Teaching Excellence Award Nominee

2022 Oakland University Online Teaching Excellence Award Recipient

2021 Oakland University Teaching Excellence Award Nominee

2020 Oakland University Teaching Excellence Award Nominee

2020 Oakland University Honors College Inspiration Award

2019 Oakland University College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) “Order of the Plume” Teaching Excellence Award

2016 University of Illinois at Chicago Biology Department Research Excellence Award

2014 NSF Graduate Research Opportunities Worldwide Travel Award

2014 University of Illinois at Chicago Undergraduate Mentoring Award for Graduate Students

2013 University of Illinois at Chicago Bodmer International Travel Award

2013 University of Illinois at Chicago Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) PhD Student Travel Award

2013 University of Illinois at Chicago Biology Department Teaching Excellence Award

2013 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

2012 University of Illinois at Chicago LAS Alumni Association Board of Directors Merit Award

GRANTS

2023 Oakland University Women & Philanthropy Grant

2019 Oakland University Honors College Thesis Grant (with Alana Purdy*)

2019 Oakland University Honors College Thesis Grant (with Alexis Hart*)

2018 Oakland University Provost Undergraduate Student Research Award (with Autumn Carden*)

2018 Oakland University Honors College Thesis Grant (with Joshika Chande*)

2016 Holly Area Schools Education Foundation Mini-Grant (with Mr. Daniel Hughes)

2015 University of Illinois at Chicago Elmer Hadley Graduate Research Grant

2014 American Society of Mammalogists Grant-in-Aid

2014 Animal Behavior Society David Tuber Applied Animal Behavior Award

2013 Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research

2013 University of Illinois at Chicago Elmer Hadley Graduate Research Grant

2012 Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research

PUBLICATIONS (*= undergraduate collaborators)

1. Alexis Hart*, Zac Reynolds, and Sandra M Troxell-Smith. (2022). “Location, Location, Location! Evaluating space use of captive aquatic species- a case study with elasmobranchs.” Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 3(2): 246-255. https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg3020020

2. Alexis Hart*, Zac Reynolds, and Sandra M Troxell-Smith. (2021). “Using individual-specific conditioning to reduce stereotypic behaviours: A study on smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis) in captivity.” Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 9(3): 193-199. https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v9i3.536

3. Valentina S.A. Mella, Malcolm Possell, Sandra M.Troxell-Smith, Clare McArthur (2018). “Visit, consume and quit: patch quality affects the three stages of foraging”. Journal of Animal Ecology 87(6): 1615-1626. doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.12882. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.12882

4. Sandra M. Troxell-Smith, Christopher J. Whelan, Seth B. Magle, Joel S. Brown. (2017). “Zoo Foraging Ecology- Development and Assessment of a Welfare Tool for Captive Animals”. Animal Welfare 26(3):265-275. https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.26.3.265

5. Sandra M. Troxell-Smith, Jason V. Watters, Christopher J. Whelan, Joel S. Brown. (2017). “Zoo Foraging Ecology: Preference and Welfare Assessment of Two Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) at the Brookfield Zoo”. Animal Behavior and Cognition 4(2): 187-199. https://doi.org/10.12966/abc.05.05.2017

6. Valentina S.A. Mella, Jordan Krucler*, Lakshmi Sunderasan*, Jason Hawkins*, Anushika P.H.M. Herath, Kyla Johnstone, Sandra M.Troxell-Smith, Peter B. Banks, Clare McArthur. (2016). “Effective field-based methods to quantify personality of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)”. Wildlife Research 43: 332-340. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR15216

7. Sandra M. Troxell-Smith, Lance J. Miller. (2016) “Utilizing Natural History Information for Zoo Animal Management: A Case Study with Okapi (Okapia johnstoni).” Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 4: 38-41. https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v4i1.134

8. Sandra M. Troxell-Smith, Michal J. Tutka*, Jessica M. Albergo*, Deebika Balu, Joel S. Brown, John P. Leonard. (2016) “Foraging decisions in wild versus domestic Mus musculus: What does life in the lab select for?” Behavioural Processes 122:43-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2015.10.020

9. Kayla J. Renier, Sandra M. Troxell-Smith, Jamie A. Johansen, Masahisa Katsuno, Hiroaki Adachi, Gen Sobue, Jason P. Chua, Hong Sun Kim, Andrew P. Lieberman, S. Marc Breedlove, Cynthia L. Jordan. (2014). “Anti-androgen flutamide protects male mice from androgen-dependent toxicity in three models of spinal bulbar muscular atrophy.” Endocrinology 155: 2624-2634. https://doi.org/10.1210/en.2013-1756

10. Jamie A. Johansen, Sandra M. Troxell-Smith, Zhigang Yu, Kaiguo Mo, D. Ashley Monks, Andrew P. Lieberman, S. Marc Breedlove, Cynthia L. Jordan. (2011). “Prenatal flutamide enhances survival in a myogenic mouse model of Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy”. Neurodegenerative Diseases 8: 25-34. https://doi.org/10.1159/000313682

Submitted Manuscripts

Jordyn Traux, Jennifer Vonk, Eness Meri*, Sandra Troxell-Smith. “Aquarium visitors catch some rays: Rays are more active in the presence of more visitors”. Submitted to Animals September 2023.

Manuscripts in Preparation

Sydney Penrose* and Sandra Troxell-Smith. (in prep). “A bird for all seasons: Effects of seasonality on American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) foraging ecology”.

BOOK CHAPTERS

· Sandra M. Troxell-Smith, Valentina S. A. Mella. (2017). “You are what you eat: the interplay between animal personality and foraging ecology”. In: Vonk J., Weiss A., Kuczaj S. (eds) Personality in Non-Human Animals. Springer Publishing.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

S.M. Troxell-Smith. “Research is for the birds: Utilizing technology to understand the foraging ecology of native bird species in southeastern Michigan”. OU Women & Philanthropy Group Presentation Event 2023. Oakland University, Auburn Hills, MI.

S.M. Troxell-Smith. “Sharks, crows, and rays- oh my! Providing undergraduate students with research opportunities that can benefit exotic animal care and welfare”. Teaching and Learning Symposium 2023. Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Oakland University, Auburn Hills, MI.

S.M. Troxell-Smith. “A little laughter goes a long way: Keeping students engaged online.” Excellence in Online Teaching Celebration 2023. e-Learning and Instructional Support, Oakland University, Auburn Hills, MI.

S.M. Troxell-Smith. “Location, Location, Location! Evaluating space use of captive aquatic species- A case study with elasmobranchs”. Annual Authors at Oakland Event 2023, Oakland University, Auburn Hills, MI.

S.M. Troxell-Smith. “Ask the Animals: Utilizing animal behavior and foraging ecology as an assessment of welfare”. Feb 2023. Invited lecture, Otterbein University, Westerville, OH.

S.M. Troxell-Smith. ”Keeping Students Engaged Online: Importance of Organization, Scaffolding, and Humor”. Teaching Excellence Award Winners Presentation 2022. Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Oakland University, Auburn Hills, MI.

Alexis Hart*, Zac Reynolds, Sandra Troxell-Smith. “Sharks in Captivity: Utilizing habitat use and behavior as an assessment of animal welfare”. Meeting of Minds 2019, University of Michigan- Flint, Flint, MI.

Alexis Hart*, Zac Reynolds, Sandra Troxell-Smith. “Sharks in Captivity: Utilizing habitat use and behavior as an assessment of animal welfare”. TriState (Plus) Conferences on Animal Learning anf Behavior 2019, Oakland University, Rochester, MI.

S.M. Troxell-Smith. “Ask the Animals: Utilizing Zoo Foraging Ecology to Assess Animal Welfare”. Chicago Zoological Society’s 3rd International Conference on Zoo Animal Welfare 2017, Brookfield, IL.

S.M. Troxell-Smith. “Zoo Foraging Ecology: Assessment of Animal Welfare Through Foraging Patterns”. Psychology Dept. Lunch Bunch Talk Series 2017, Oakland University, Rochester, MI.

S.M. Troxell-Smith. “The Hungry Games: Integrating Foraging Ecology and Animal Welfare”. Biological Sciences Seminar Series 2017, Oakland University, Rochester, MI.

S.M. Troxell-Smith, Lance Miller. “Reduction in stereotypic head-rolling behavior in a female Okapi: application of natural history information”. The International Giraffid Conference 2016, Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, IL.

S.M. Troxell-Smith. “Relationships between animal personality, risk-taking, and foraging decisions in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)”. Ecology and Evolution Seminar Series 2016, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.

S.M. Troxell-Smith. “Zoo Foraging Ecology: Assessing Animal Welfare Through Foraging Activity”. Small Mammal and Reptile House Department Meeting 2016, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL.

V.S.A. Mella, S.M. Troxell-Smith, C. Herbert, C. McArthur, G. Machovsky-Capuska, D.J.M. Moss, P.H.W. Leong. “A new ecological tool for fine-grained movement studies in time and space.” Behaviour Conference 2015, Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns, Australia.

S.M. Troxell-Smith. “So what was with all those buckets? Zoo Foraging Ecology and the Effect of Management Decisions on Okapi Behavior”. Mammals West Team Meeting 2014, Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, IL.

S.M. Troxell-Smith. “Welfare Assessment Through Foraging: An Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) Case Study”. Ecology and Evolution Seminar Series 2014, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.

S.M. Troxell-Smith, M. Tutka, J. Albergo, J. Brown. “Legacies of Foraging and Predation Past: What Does Life in the Lab Select For?” The 11th International Mammalogical Congress 2013, Queens University, Belfast, UK.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS (*= undergraduate collaborators)

· S. M. Troxell-Smith, J.V. Watters, C.J. Whelan, J.S. Brown. “Zoo Foraging Ecology: Animals Reveal Their Preferences.” Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Conference 2014, Orlando, FL.

· S. M. Troxell-Smith, J.V. Watters, C.J. Whelan, J.S. Brown. “Zoo Foraging Ecology: Okapi Reveal Their Preferences.” Animal Behavior Society 51st Annual Conference 2014, Princeton, NJ.

· S. M. Troxell-Smith, J.V. Watters, J.S. Brown. “Ask the Animals: Foraging Decisions Reveal Animal Preferences.” Chicago Zoological Society’s 2nd International Symposium on Zoo Animal Welfare 2013, Brookfield, IL.

· *J. Albergo, S. Troxell-Smith, J. S. Brown. “Effects of patch characteristics on the foraging patterns of Mus musculus.” University of Illinois at Chicago Student Research Forum 2013, Chicago, IL.

· *M.J. Tutka, S.M. Troxell-Smith, C.J. Whelan, J.S. Brown. “Perceived Predation: a study of fear in three strains of Mus musculus." University of Illinois at Chicago Student Research Forum 2013, Chicago, IL.

· J.A. Broder, S.M. Troxell, T.L. Vratanina, M. Sanderson. “Past, Present, and Future: The challenge of training a group of mandrills.” Animal Behavior Management Alliance 2010, Pittsburg, PA.

· S.M. Troxell, J.A. Johansen, M.Q. Kemp, A.P. Lieberman, S. M. Breedlove, C. L. Jordan. “Androgen receptor antagonist increases lifespan and motor function in mouse models of SBMA.” Society for Neuroscience 2009, Chicago, IL.

· J.A. Johansen, S.M. Troxell, S.M. Breedlove, C.L. Jordan. “Flutamide is an effective therapeutic in transgenic female mice with Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy.” Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology 2008, Groningen Netherlands.

· S.M. Troxell, J.A Johansen, C.L. Jordan, S.M. Breedlove. “Use of Flutamide as a Potential Therapy in a Mouse Model of Kennedy’s Disease.” University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum 2007, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

· S. M. Troxell-Smith, J.V. Watters, C.J. Whelan, J.S. Brown. “Zoo Foraging Ecology: Animals Reveal Their Preferences.” Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Conference 2014, Orlando, FL.

· S. M. Troxell-Smith, J.V. Watters, C.J. Whelan, J.S. Brown. “Zoo Foraging Ecology: Okapi Reveal Their Preferences.” Animal Behavior Society 51st Annual Conference 2014, Princeton, NJ.

· J.A. Broder, S.M. Troxell, T.L. Vratanina, M. Sanderson. “Past, Present, and Future: The challenge of training a group of mandrills.” Animal Behavior Management Alliance 2010, Pittsburg, PA.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

- OU CETL Workshop- Lessons in Social Media: Teaching, Learning, Sharing- Fall 2021

- OU Quality Online Teaching Certification Course Part 2- completed Summer 2021

- OU Quality Online Teaching Certification Course Part 1- completed Summer 2020

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

American Society of Mammalogists (ASM)

Animal Behavior Society (ABS)

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)

Sigma Xi

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND OUTREACH

-Reviewer: Zoo Biology; Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science; Animal Behavior and Cognition; Frontiers in Comparative Psychology; Peer J; Ethology, Ecology & Evolution

-Holly Middle School “Great Lakes Ecology” 7th and 8th Grade Science Volunteer- Holly, MI (Nov 2015-present)

-Invited Lecture: Practical Applications of Animal Behavior (March 27 2012)

-“Urban Game Park” Outreach Volunteer (Jan 2012-May 2012)

-Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield, IL) Animal Behavior Research Volunteer (Aug 2010-Aug 2012)

-Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield, IL) Endocrinology Laboratory Volunteer (Aug 2010-May 2011)

-Potter Park Zoo (Lansing, MI) Primate Training Supervisor (April 2008-Oct 2009)

-“Brain Awareness” Week Outreach Presenter (March 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010)