About
ABMSS 2026
Join us for the Animal Behavior Meets Social Science Symposium (ABMSS), available in person or via Zoom, where we explore animal behavior research and its real-world applications. This event highlights the role of zoos in conservation and showcases how behavioral science informs animal welfare, education, and research.
We are honored to welcome Michele Johnson, Ph.D., Professor of Biology at Trinity University, as our keynote speaker. Dr. Johnson is an evolutionary biologist whose research examines how ecological factors and physiological mechanisms shape social behavior, with a focus on Caribbean anole lizards. Using field observations, laboratory experiments, and molecular and neuroendocrine approaches, her work provides powerful insights into how behavior evolves. She is also deeply committed to supporting women in science and advancing science education through community outreach.
The program will also include a short talk by Dr. Patrick Burchfield, followed by a social networking event with food, and student research presentations, offering undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to share their work and connect with professionals in the field.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with researchers, students, and practitioners while exploring the intersection of psychology, animal behavior, and conservation.
Date: April 22, 2026
Time: 1:00 - 5:30 PM
Room: Salon Cassia (BMAIN 2.402)
Zoom Invite Link:
https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/6292715539?pwd=Z2l6dkwreU01NjdoZkI2NGJMNmdGUT09
ABMSS Organizers
Dr. Mario Gil
Dr. Wendy James-Aldridge
Claudia Martinez, M.A.
Associate Professor
Psychological Science
Claudia Martinez, M.A.
Dr. Wendy James-Aldridge
Claudia Martinez, M.A.
Lecturer II
Psychological Science
Dr. Wendy James-Aldridge
Dr. Wendy James-Aldridge
Dr. Wendy James-Aldridge
Curator of Behavioral Research
Gladys Porter Zoo
Patricia Scanlan, M.A.
Dr. Wendy James-Aldridge
Dr. Wendy James-Aldridge
Curator of Animal Welfare
Gladys Porter Zoo
Meet the Keynote Speaker
Dr. Michele Johnson
Dr. Johnson is a Professor of Biology at Trinity University, where she teaches courses in evolution, integrative biology, and vertebrate biology. She earned her Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from Washington University in St. Louis and completed postdoctoral training in Behavioral Neuroscience at Michigan State University. Dr. Johnson joined Trinity University in 2009 and has since built an internationally recognized research program focused on the evolution of social behavior in lizards.
She directs the Lizards and Friends lab, where her team investigates how ecological factors and physiological mechanisms shape behavior, primarily using Caribbean Anolis lizards as a model system. Her work integrates field observations, laboratory experiments, molecular genetics, neuroendocrine techniques, and comparative approaches to understand behavioral evolution. She is also a recipient of multiple National Science Foundation grants and has published extensively on dominance, hormone–behavior relationships, and brain evolution.
In addition to her research, Dr. Johnson is deeply committed to mentoring students, advancing undergraduate research, and supporting women in science. She has received numerous teaching and mentoring awards at Trinity University and works closely with local educators to promote science education in the San Antonio community.
Meet the Gladys Porter Director
Dr. Patrick Burchfield
Dr. Burchfield began his Gladys Porter Zoo journey when invited by the zoo's first director. Originally from the Columbus Zoo, his expertise in reptiles led him to Brownsville in 1970. His tenure at Gladys Porter Zoo started just a year before its grand opening on November 3, 1971. Quickly rising through the ranks, Dr. Burchfield transitioned from general curator, overseeing reptiles, to the role of general curator in charge of all zoo animals, to eventually becoming executive director in 2007. Today, under his guidance, the Gladys Porter Zoo thrives.
Dr. Burchfield blends his passion with his profession, emphasizing the importance of fostering awareness and appreciation for wildlife. He sees zoos as instrumental in connecting urban children with the natural world, attributing the transformation of zoos from mere "consumers of animals" to producers as a crucial aspect of conservation efforts. Looking ahead, Dr. Burchfield envisions a promising future for Gladys Porter Zoo, with ongoing expansions and a new master plan in the works.
Meet the Students/Faculty Presenters
Ramiro Gomez
Presenting
From Theory to Practice: The Evolution of Comparative Psychology and Its Applications in Gorilla Research