معرفی
Dr. Netzin G. Steklis is an Assistant Professor in the School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences at the University of Arizona, where she teaches courses on animal ethology, human-animal interrelationships, and primate behavior. She co-directs the Human-Animal Interaction Research Initiative (HAIRI), a research and training program focused on rigorous scientific study of human-animal bonds.
- Ph.D. in Ethology & Evolutionary Psychology, University of Arizona
- M.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University
- B.A. in Anthropology (Biology emphasis), University of Chicago
Her research explores the evolutionary and biopsychological foundations of human-animal relationships, animal personality, and the efficacy of animal-assisted therapies. She has conducted extensive field research on wild mountain gorillas in Rwanda and has contributed to understanding primate social behavior and conservation.
Her recent publications (2022–2024) focus on physiological responses (oxytocin, cortisol) in child-dog interactions, evolutionary models of empathy, domestication traits in ungulates, and the psychometric structure of 'Animality.' These works reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach combining evolutionary psychology, endocrinology, and behavioral science.
She has received the David E. Cox Faculty Teaching Award (2021) and holds a Graduate Certificate in College Teaching from the University of Arizona, underscoring her commitment to pedagogy. She co-authored the textbook Human and Animal Interrelationships and teaches large general education courses with her husband and collaborator, Dr. H. Dieter Steklis.
Dr. Steklis mentors undergraduate students through honors theses and directed research. She co-founded HAIRI to train students in research design and critical evaluation of claims in human-animal interaction studies. Her work bridges academic research and practical application in animal welfare, education, and therapeutic settings.
