Lindsay R. Mehrkam

Lindsay R. Mehrkam, Ph.D., BCBA-D is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Monmouth University. She directs the Human-Animal Wellness Collaboratory (HAWC) and Aquatic Animal Learning Lab, serves as Program Coordinator for the MU-Six Flags Affiliation, and holds Vice-Chair position on the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC). Her work bridges applied animal behavior, welfare science, and behavior analysis across diverse settings including zoos, shelters, and sanctuaries.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Florida
• M.S., University of Florida
• B.A., Franklin & Marshall College

Research Focus: Dr. Mehrkam investigates environmental influences on play, aggression, and stereotypic behaviors in companion and exotic animals, develops evidence-based enrichment and training protocols for captive welfare, and evaluates human-animal interactions in therapeutic contexts. Her approach integrates behavior analysis with ethology to create practical solutions for animal care facilities, emphasizing measurable welfare outcomes through rigorous experimental design.

Publication Trends: Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on applied behavior analysis in animal contexts (2014-2020), with 60% targeting canine behavior, 20% marine/exotic species, and 20% cross-species welfare assessment. Key methodological themes include functional analysis of problem behaviors (33% of papers), enrichment efficacy testing (27%), and preference assessment protocols (20%). Her work increasingly incorporates physiological biomarkers alongside behavioral metrics since 2017.

Awards & Recognition:

• Creativity Grant (2020)
• Maddie's Fund Grant: Do Playgroups Increase Behavioral and Physiological Welfare in Shelter Dogs? (2017, $131,395 as PI)
• Doctoral-Level Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BACB, Certificate #1-15-17919)
• Featured in Scientific American, Gizmodo, and Phys.org for feline/dolphin welfare research

Professional Leadership: As Departmental Advising Coordinator, she guides students through field experiences at Six Flags and animal shelters. She serves as Vice President of ABAI's Applied Animal Behavior SIG and advisor for Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary. Her FEMA-invited webinar on Animal Emergency Preparedness demonstrates real-world impact of her research, while Swiss Veterinary Congress presentations establish international influence in clinical animal behavior.

Laboratory Operations: The HAWC lab conducts collaborative research with animal shelters and sanctuaries on behavioral assessment protocols, while the Aquatic Animal Learning Lab partners with Six Flags to study marine mammal cognition. Both labs emphasize student involvement through the PY 411 Field Experience course, producing peer-reviewed publications with undergraduate co-authors and developing evidence-based welfare protocols adopted by multiple zoological institutions.