The Animal Studies Research Collaborative (ASRC) houses the Eckerd College Comparative Psychology Lab (ECCPL) , which is both directed by Prof. Lauren Highfill, professor of Psychology and Animal Studies. Here Prof. Highfill is with Harry the sloth, an ambassador animal at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay!

The mission of the lab is to conduct non-invasive research on the behavior and abilities of various species – from dogs to elephants - in order to increase our understanding of these remarkable animals.

Lauren Highfill joined the faculty at Eckerd in 2008. The courses she teaches include Introductory Psychology, Biopsychology, Comparative Psychology, and Statistics. Lauren’s research interests include animal personality, animal cognition, and conservation psychology. Her studies include a variety of animal species, such as dolphins, elephants, lemurs, and dogs. She especially enjoys talking with students about their own interests in animal cognition. When she is not teaching or researching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and their dog.

The Animal Studies Research Collaborative (ASRC) is co-directed by Dr. Erin Frick, Assistant Professor of Animal Studies at Eckerd College. Here Dr. Frick is pictured with Neptune, a loggerhead sea turtle. The ASRC houses the Frick Animal Behavior Lab (FAB Lab) directed by Dr. Frick. The FAB Lab conducts research in areas of animal behavior, animal welfare and conservation, and biopsychology of learning;  working with a variety of animals including: bottlenose dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, sea otters, Asian small-clawed otters, hippopotamus, polar bears, sea lions, Pacific walrus, sea turtles, and zebrafish. Working with collaborators both in the US and internationally, our research has no bounds! 

Dr. Tim Bransford joined Eckerd College as an assistant professor of Animal Studies in 2020 and directs the Conservation Behavior Lab (CBLab), which is housed within the Animal Studies Research Collaborative (ASRC). Here, Dr. Bransford is watching some brown pelicans while exploring Coffee Pot Bayou in St. Pete.

The CBLab uses animal behavior as a tool to promote the conservation and well-being of threatened animal species, both in the wild and in captivity. While he primarily works with primates, Dr. Bransford welcomes working with students interested in a wide variety of taxa! Dr. Bransford’s research has taken him across the globe and he has worked in countries such as Indonesia, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, and Costa Rica. Outside of teaching and research, Dr. Bransford likes to spend time playing with his dogs and going to the beach.

Interested in joining the Conservation Behavior Lab (CBLab)? Fill out the application here. 

Francis Hamilton is an Associate Professor of Management at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. He is a retired Army officer with 22 years of service. After retiring, Professor Hamilton started and managed a professional employer organization. He is the co-founder and president of a high quality, high-volume low-cost nonprofit veterinary clinic (HQHVSN) that served more than 25,000 clients a year. Dr. Hamilton has served on several boards, the Brandon Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Hillsborough County (FL) Animal Advisory Board. His work has appeared in Human Relations, Business Ethics: A European Review, Academy of Management Review, Journal of Urban Affairs, Leadership: The Key Concepts, The Journal of Market-focused Management, The Journal of Ethics in Leadership, Anthrozoös, and Frontiers of Veterinary Science. His PhD is in Business Administration from the University of South Florida. 

Professor Hamilton has been at Eckerd for 16 years. His research interests are in leadership development, grassroots organizing, and public policy for companion animals. He has taught 16 different management and general education courses since arriving at Eckerd. In his spare time, his passion is new places.

Dr. Antonia Krueger is an interdisciplinary scholar and creator who works in the fields of life narratives, performance, communication, psychology, language studies, ecology, and internatural communication.