EDUCATION
2023- Present PhD Student Aquatic Resources and Integrative Biology
Department of Biology, Texas State University | San Marcos, T.X.
2020-2023 M.Sc. Population and Conservation Biology
Department of Biology, Texas State University | San Marcos, T.X.
2014-2020 Bachelor of Science and Arts in Biology/English
University of Texas | Austin , T.X.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Animal Cognition & Development of Behavior, Behavioral Ecology, Conservation Physiology, Population Ecology
My primary research interests are of how anthropogenic disturbance contribute to urban stream syndrome and the cognitive performance, behavior, gene expression, and life history traits of freshwater vertebrates.
PRESENTATIONS at Scientific Meetings
Irwin, K.B., Gabor, C.R. 2024. A so-fish-ticated interaction: simple habitats lead to higher cognition. Three Minute Thesis National Finals Competition as the Conference for Southern Graduate Colleges in Greenville, South Carolina.
Irwin, K.B., Edgar, E.M., and Gabor, C.R. 2024. Reproductive allotment affects cognition in live-bearing Western Mosquitofish. Biology Department Colloquium 2024, Texas State University.
Irwin, K.B., and Gabor, C.R. 2023. A so-fish-ticated interaction: habitat complexity predicts cognitive performance and behavior in Mosquitofish. Three Minute Thesis Competition, Texas State University.
Irwin, K.B., and Gabor, C.R. 2023. A so-fish-ticated interaction: habitat complexity predicts cognitive performance and behavior in Mosquitofish. Dr. Mike Ryan’s 70th Birthday, University of Texas.
Irwin, K.B., and Gabor, C.R. 2023. Habitat structural complexity predicts cognitive performance and behavior in Western Mosquitofish. The Biology Student Colloquium, Texas State University.
Irwin, K.B., and Gabor, C.R. 2023. Habitat structural complexity predicts cognitive performance and behavior in Western Mosquitofish.Aquatic Biology Society Meeting, Texas State University.
Irwin, K.B., and Gabor, C.R. 2023. Environmental complexity predicts solving ability in Gambusia affinins. The Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, Austin TX.
Irwin, K.B., and Gabor, C.R. 2022. Environmental complexity predicts solving ability in Gambusia affinins. International Conference of Poeciliid Biologists , Wageningen, Netherlands.
Irwin, K.B., Newton, A., and Gabor, C.R. 2022. The effects of polystyrene exposure on cognition and behavior in Gambusia affinins.The Biology Student Colloquium, Texas State University
Irwin, K.B., Newton, A., and Gabor, C.R. 2022. The effects of polystyrene exposure on cognition and behavior in Gambusia affinins. The Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, Pheonix AZ
PUBLICATIONS
Irwin, K.I., and Gabor, C.R. Habitat structural complexity predicts cognitive performance and beahvior in Western Mosquitofish (Provisionally accepted to Biology Letters)
GRANTS, AWARDS, AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Spring 2024 Texas State University Biology Department Colloquium 1st place: Best Presentation by PhD student
Fall 2023 Texas Ecolab Grant $5,000
Fall 2023 Texas State University 3 Minute Thesis: 2nd place $500
Spring 2022 Texas State University Graduate College Fellowship $2000
Spring 2022 Texas State University Graduate College Scholarship
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2020-Present Texas Ecolab Research Assistant, The Gabor Lab, Texas State University
2020-2022 Lab manager and supervisor of Animal Welfare, The Gabor Lab, Texas State University
2015-Present Bat Rehabilitator and Educator, Austin Bat Refuge ( 7+ hours per week)
2017-2020 Wildlife Responder, University of Texas, Department of Environmental Health and Safety
2018 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Research Assistant, Dr. Rachel Page Lab, Gamboa, Panama
2018 Exotic Animal Rehabilitator, Asociación a Para La Conservación, Gamboa, Panama
TEACHING EXPERINCE
Guest Lecturer Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Fall 2023 Professional Development 5100/7100, Course Instructor: Dr. Jenn Idema
Instructional Assistant and Equipment Prep., Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Spring 2021 Organismal Biology Lab (BIO 1131), Course Instructor: Dr. Andrea Aspbury
Fall 2023
Fall 2023 Animal Behavior (BIO 4472), Course Instructor: Dr. Andrea Aspbury
Fall 2021
Undergraduate Mentoring, Texas State University
2022- 2023 Emily Edgar. Instructed student on how to perform dissections to measure life history traits in Gambusia affinis as a part of her Honors thesis.
2021 Ariel Newton. Instructed student on how to perform Mulitple Indicator Monitoring (MIM) assesments and biodiversity surveys using a seine in the field. Introduced Newton to laboratory experience and experimental design by conducting behavioral experiments on Gambusia affinis
OUTREACH EXPERIENCE
2024 Host, Jr.High Students from Doral Academy of Science at Texas State University | San Marcos, TX
2022- Present National Geographic, Austin Bat Refuge Representative | Austin, Texas
2021-22 Professional development – hands on outreach for Sunset After-school elementary school Program | San Marcos, TX
2020 Homeschool Teacher, Flying Colors School of Life | Austin, Texas
2018 Volunteer, Austin Zoo | Austin, Texas
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2024-Present The Animal Behvior Society, Member
2020-Present The Wildlife Society, Member
2021-Present The Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Member
2020- Present IACUC Citi certified training