Principal Investigators
Lab Director
Mrs. Claudia Martinez is the founder and director of the Comparative Psychology Lab at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Her research focuses on animal behavior, welfare, and behavioral management, with particular expertise in zoo-housed primates and western lowland gorillas.
She leads collaborative research examining how animals respond to changes in their social, physical, and human-managed environments. Her work incorporates systematic behavioral observation, social behavior, positive reinforcement training, visitor effects, environmental disturbances, and non-invasive physiological measures to better understand and support animal welfare.
Mrs. Martinez mentors both undergraduate and graduate student researchers and develops collaborative projects with zoological institutions and research laboratories. Through this work, she aims to strengthen evidence-based animal management, expand student research opportunities, and promote wildlife conservation throughout the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
In addition to directing the lab, Mrs. Martinez is a lecturer in the Department of Psychological Science at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a PhD candidate in Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide.
Curator of Behavior Research
Dr. Valerie James-Aldridge is the Curator of Behavior Research at Gladys Porter Zoo, a retired professor, and the founder of the research partnership between the zoo and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. With more than 40 years of experience studying western lowland gorillas, she brings extensive expertise in primate behavior, social relationships, and zoo-based research.
Dr. James-Aldridge continues to support behavioral research and student training at the zoo. She helps prepare new researchers and volunteers to identify individual animals, recognize species-typical behaviors, and conduct careful, systematic observations.
Through her research leadership and mentorship, Dr. James-Aldridge has helped strengthen the connection between academic research and applied zoo management. Her work continues to shape the next generation of animal behavior researchers while supporting evidence-based approaches to animal welfare and conservation.
Student Researchers
Ramiro Gomez
Carolina Morales
Carolina Morales
Senior Lead Research Assistant
M.A. Experimental Psychology
Favorite Animal: Western Lowland Gorilla
Howler Monkey Specialist
Carolina Morales
Carolina Morales
Carolina Morales
Lead Research Assistant
Graduate Student
Experimental Psychology
Favorite Animal: Jellyfish
Chimpanzee Specialist
Juliana Tovar
Carolina Morales
Renata Castillo
Lead Research Assistant
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Favorite Animal: Lemur
Chimp/Lemur Specialist
Renata Castillo
Renata Castillo
Renata Castillo
Lead Research Assistant
Graduate Student
Experimental Psychology
Favorite Animal: Bear
Lemur/Lion Specialist
Amarissa Garcia
Renata Castillo
Amarissa Garcia
Field Research Assistant
Graduate Student
Clinical Psychology
Favorite Animal: Giraffe
Daniela Guerra
Renata Castillo
Amarissa Garcia
Field Research Assistant
Graduate Student
Experimental Psychology
Favorite Animal: Flamingo & Spider Monkey
Humberto Jimenez Bazan
Humberto Jimenez Bazan
Humberto Jimenez Bazan
Field Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Major: Biology
Favorite Animal: Cow
Chimpanzee Specialist
Masoom Chauhan
Humberto Jimenez Bazan
Humberto Jimenez Bazan
Field Research Assistant
Graduate Student
Clinical Psychology
Favorite Animal: Horse
Lorena Guerra
Humberto Jimenez Bazan
Lorena Guerra
Field Research Assistant
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Favorite Animal: Hippopotamus
Uno Fernandez
Lorena Guerra
Field Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Major: Anthropology
Favorite Animal: Aye aye
Coming soon...
Coming soon...
Coming soon...
Coming soon...
Lab Achievements: Student Awards & Internships
Ramiro Gomez
Humberto Jimenez Bazan
Carolina Morales
Student Experience Internship (SEI)
2023-2024 Awardee
Carolina Morales
Humberto Jimenez Bazan
Carolina Morales
Student Experience Internship (SEI)
2024-2025 Awardee
Humberto Jimenez Bazan
Humberto Jimenez Bazan
Humberto Jimenez Bazan
Student Experience Internship (SEI)
2025-2026 Awardee
Samantha Solis
Renata Castillo
Humberto Jimenez Bazan
Engaged Scholar & Artist Awards (ESAA) 2025 Awardee
Sara Zúñiga
Renata Castillo
Renata Castillo
Engaged Scholar & Artist Awards (ESAA) 2025 Awardee
Renata Castillo
Renata Castillo
Renata Castillo
Engaged Scholar & Artist Awards (ESAA) 2026 Awardee
Zoo Partnership
Our Goal
The longstanding partnership between the Department of Psychological Science at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Gladys Porter Zoo reflects a shared commitment to research, education, animal welfare, and conservation. Established in the 1980s under the leadership of Dr. Valerie James-Aldridge, this collaboration has provided generations of students with opportunities to conduct behavioral research with gorillas and a wide range of other zoo-housed species.
Through this partnership, undergraduate and graduate students gain hands-on experience in animal identification, behavioral observation, data collection, research methods, and applied animal welfare. The collaboration also supports research that can contribute to evidence-based zoo management and a better understanding of animal behavior in managed care.
Beyond research and student training, the partnership helps promote conservation education and public awareness of the important roles modern zoos play in animal welfare, scientific research, species conservation, and community engagement. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and expanding opportunities for research, education, and conservation throughout the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
Gladys Porter Zoo Partners
Dr. Patrick Burchfield
Dr. Patrick Burchfield
Dr. Patrick Burchfield
Zoo Director
Patricia Scanlan, M.A.
Dr. Patrick Burchfield
Dr. Patrick Burchfield
Curator of Animal Welfare
Sergio Garcia, MBA
Dr. Patrick Burchfield
Sergio Garcia, MBA
Curator of Education
Dr. Prince, DVM
Dr. Patrick Burchfield
Sergio Garcia, MBA
Zoo Veterinarian
Kathleen Thompson-Hawk, M.S.
Kathleen Thompson-Hawk, M.S.
Kathleen Thompson-Hawk, M.S.
General Curator &
Curator of Aquatics
Carnivores & Gorillas Team
Kathleen Thompson-Hawk, M.S.
Kathleen Thompson-Hawk, M.S.
Virginia, Ashley, Samuel, & Kris
Primates Team
Kathleen Thompson-Hawk, M.S.
Small World Team
Wyatt, Samantha, Dante, Katya, & David
Small World Team
Kathleen Thompson-Hawk, M.S.
Small World Team
Rafael, Vivienne, Cameron, Beatriz, Alejandro, & Vicente
Aquatics Team
Aquatics Team
Aquatics Team
Mark, Elizabeth, Adrianne, Destin, Karin, & Ethan
University Partners
Dr. Perry Fuchs
Dr. Frank Joseph Dirrigl Jr.
Dr. Perry Fuchs
Psychological Science
Department Chair
UTRGV
Dr. Mario Gil
Dr. Frank Joseph Dirrigl Jr.
Dr. Perry Fuchs
Psychological Science
Behavioral Neuroscience Lab Director
UTRGV
Dr. Frank Joseph Dirrigl Jr.
Dr. Frank Joseph Dirrigl Jr.
Dr. Frank Joseph Dirrigl Jr.
School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences
UTRGV
Dr. Eduardo Fernandez
Dr. Frank Joseph Dirrigl Jr.
Dr. Frank Joseph Dirrigl Jr.
School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences
Adelaide University
Dr. Rachel Walker
Dr. Michele Johnson
Dr. Michele Johnson
Department of Psychology
University of the Incarnate Word
Dr. Michele Johnson
Dr. Michele Johnson
Dr. Michele Johnson
Department of Biology
Trinity University