Postdoctoral associate
Dr. Jessica Burkhart is a behavioral neuroscientist specializing in the integration of neuroscience, behaviour, and wildlife conservation. Her work is distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach, applying principles of brain science to better understand how animals perceive and interact with their environment, and translating this knowledge into innovative, science-based solutions that improve wildlife welfare and conservation outcomes. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science from the University of Arizona and completed her PhD at the University of Minnesota’s Lion Center, where her research focused on the neurobiology of behaviour in large carnivores. She is currently a fellow at Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria’s Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research investigating ways to decrease stress and anxiety in rhinoceros during translocation, with a current Research Associate position in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, where she investigates cognition and neuroscience in wild carnivores. Jessica worked in human neurology clinics before shifting her energy and experience to saving animals. Currently, Jessica consults at reserves, sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers across South Africa and internationally. Alongside the Lion Center, Jessica is working to secure a place in South Africa where she will be able to bring all of her research initiatives together in a rehabilitation location where she can customize environments for situation- and species-specific needs and continue to develop protocols and add to long term bodies of research by offering educational and research experiences to students, professionals, and communities. We are currently in negotiation to rescue an entire sanctuary of 65 lions which we will make our research home. This is the culmination of her life's work, where she and her team can give every animal a chance to truly thrive. When not spending time with the wild animals, Jessica is usually hiking through the bush with her own rescued crew of domestics!
