EDUCATION
2023- Present PhD Candidate Aquatic Resources and Integrative Biology
Department of Biology, Texas State University | San Marcos, T.X.
GPA: 4.0
2020-2023 M.Sc. Population and Conservation Biology
Department of Biology, Texas State University | San Marcos, T.X.
GPA: 4.0
2014-2020 Bachelor of Science and Arts
University of Texas | Austin , T.X.
GPA: 3.5
RESEARCH INTERESTS: Animal Behavior, Cognitive Ecology, Population & Conservation Biology
My primary research interests are in cognitive ecology and animal behavior. My research focuses on untangling what aspects of environmental complexity (physical habitat structure, predation, and shoaling) drive executive functions such as inhibitory control and behaviors in endangered and invasive freshwater species.
PUBLICATIONS
Pretot L., Agrillo C., Bluck B., Cabrera-Álvarez M., Heijja-Brichard Y., Irwin K., Klinke A., Lucon-Xiccato T., Newport C., Segev R., & Yeager J. (2025) ManyFishes: A big team science collaboration on fish comparative cognition. Animal Cognition.
Irwin, K., Durocher, C., Wilroy, A., Bonner, T., & Gabor, C. R. (2025). Generalist vs. specialist: Cognition and behavioral flexibility in Gambusia across habitats. Animal Cognition. (In Review)
Irwin, K., Aspbury, A. S., Bonner, T., & Gabor, C. R. (2024). Habitat structural complexity predicts cognitive performance and behaviour in western mosquitofish. Biology Letters, 20(7), 20230394.
Irwin, K., Hathorn, G., & Gabor, C. R. (2024). Cognitive and behavioral response of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) to environmental factors: Microplastics, predator cues, and detour design methods. Journal of Fish Biology.
SCHOLARLY EXPERIENCE
July 2025 Acoustic monitoring of bat species, McDonald Observatory
Description: Collected and analyzed sonar recordings to identify local bat species and confirm Hubble, the Big Freetail Bat, was successfully released into the wild.
Role: Recorded echolocation using Sonobat software, processed acoustic data, and supported research on bat species presence and activity.
Spring 2025 Research outside of Dissertation: Endangered Salamander Cognition
Description: Collaborated with San Marcos Aquatic Resource Center on novel experiment comparing cognitive and behavioral traits in endangered Barton Springs Salamander and Texas Blind Salamander
Role: Designed experimental framework, developed testing methods, and prepared protocols for Fall 2025 implementation; contributed intellectual leadership to cross-institutional conservation research
Spring 2025 Research outside of Dissertation: Gambusia species cognition comparison
Description: Led independent study comparing cognitive traits between Gambusia species to investigate ecological specialization and generalist strategies
Role: Designed experimental framework, collected and analyzed data, drafted manuscript invited for submission to Animal Cognition; independently managed all phases of research project
Spring 2025 Research outside of Dissertation: Turtle Surveys, Spring Lake Nature Preserve
Description: Participated in a long-term study surveying turtle species and life history traits, including trapping, measurement, DNA sampling, and behavioral observations.
Role: Set traps, waded to capture turtles, recorded morphometrics, performed DNA sampling and ultrasounds, photographed individuals, and assessed ingestion of metallic objects.
April 2025 Certificate: Science Communication Bootcamp, A.I.B.S. (16 hours)
Description: Completed American Institute of Biological Sciences training in Washington DC, focused on communicating complex scientific concepts to public, policymakers, and interdisciplinary audiences.
Role: Practiced plain-language science writing, policy brief development, and public engagement strategies; strengthened skills in translating research for diverse audiences beyond academia.
August 2024 Certificate: Fish and Mussel Identification, TX State University (30 hours)
Description: Completed intensive Texas State University training on freshwater fish and mussel identification using dichotomous keys, recommended statewide for field biologists.
Role: Learned species-level identification, applied dichotomous key methodology, and gained skills directly applicable to ecological fieldwork and biodiversity monitoring.
2021-2023 Texas Ecolab Researcher, Gabor-Aspbury Lab
Description: Investigated impacts of land-use conversion and urbanization on aquatic vertebrates through biodiversity surveys, water quality monitoring, and ecological assessments at Texas Ecolab research sites.
Role: Designed and led field surveys, collected and analyzed ecological data, and advanced research on vertebrate responses to human-modified habitats in Texas ecosystems.
GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
2024- Present Research outside of Dissertation: Member, ManyFishes International Research Collaboration
Description: Global initiative standardizing methods in fish cognition and behavior research through collaborative experiments across international laboratories.
Role: Conducted Gambusia experiments, collected data, contributed to manuscript submitted to Animal Cognition, and currently drafting second manuscript for publication.
Oct 2022 International Conference of Poeciliid Biologists, Wageningen University, Netherlands
Description: Presented Masters research on Mosquitofish cognition; engaged with global experts in live-bearing fish behavior and ecology.
Role: Received feedback from experts in the field shaping future collaborations, including involvement in the ManyFishes initiative, strengthening international research connections and perspective.
May-July 2018 Animal Care Intern, The Panamerican Conservation Association, Gamboa, Panama (APPC)
Description: Full-time internship rehabilitating endangered and orphaned wildlife; promoted biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness in Panama.
Role: Provided daily animal care, assisted with wildlife releases, and delivered public talks on conservation and biodiversity protection.
July-Sept 2018 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama Field Assistant and Lab Technician
Description: Contributed to Rachel Page Lab project on Trachops bats, investigating social and behavioral associations through field capture and flight cage observations.
Role: Set mist nets, captured bats, collected behavioral data, and assisted laboratory processing, gaining experience in field sampling and behavioral ecology research.
FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Spring 2025 Howard D. Schulze Biology Scholarship: $750
Spring 2025 Yetta Richan Aquatic Biology Development: $2,000
Summer 2024 Texas State University Graduate College Scholarship Science and Engineering: $1,000
Spring 2024 Ozarka Every Drop Counts Scholarship: $10,000
Fall 2023 Texas State University Graduate College Scholarship Science and Engineering $1,000
Spring 2022 Texas State University Graduate College Fellowship $2,000
Spring 2022 Texas State University Graduate College Scholarship $1,000
GRANTS
Fall 2024 Texas Ecolab Grant: $5,330
Fall 2023 Texas Ecolab Grant: $6,820
SCHOLASTIC HONORS
Fall 2024 Texas Conservation Symposium 3rd place: Best Presentation by graduate student: $50
Spring 2024 Texas State University Biology Department Colloquium 1st place: Best Presentation: $200
Fall 2023 Texas State University 3 Minute Thesis: 2nd place: $500
LEADERSHIP & OUTREACH
2025 Congressional Advocacy, American Institute of Biological Sciences
Description: Represented biological sciences community in Washington, D.C.; advanced federal STEM and NSF priorities, emphasizing women in science and Texas-based research initiatives.
Role: Met with Senate and House offices (Cruz, Cornyn, Britt, Roy), lobbied for science funding, and communicated research priorities, strengthening connections between scientists and policymakers.
2025 Bat Conservation Outreach, Austin Bat Refuge and McDonald Observatory
Description: Led outreach during release of Hubble, the only Big Free-tailed Bat (Nyctinomops macrotis) discovered in Austin; collaborated with McDonald Observatory to engage diverse public audiences.
Role: Managed bat care and acoustic monitoring; delivered engaging talks on bat ecology to large public audiences, inspiring conservation awareness and respect for bats in Texas.
2024- Present Principal Investigator, Texas Ecolab Project, Texas State University
Description: Serve as Principal Investigator for Ecolab project assessing land-use impacts on aquatic vertebrates; oversee project direction, grant renewals, and research coordination across Texas properties.
Role: Lead grant writing and renewal efforts, manage project logistics and funding responsibilities, and supervise research activities contributing to long-term ecological monitoring.
2024 Public Service Announcement Filming, Austin Bat Refuge & Austin Film Society
Description: Collaborated with Austin Film Society to produce an educational PSA on behalf of Austin Bat Refuge, promoting respect for bats and ecological awareness.
Role: Represented Austin Bat Refuge on film project; contributed to content development and messaging. PSA aired on Austin-area broadcasts, reaching wide public audiences.
2024 The Great American Teachin’, Pasco Elementary School & Texas State University
Description: Hosted 4th–5th grade students, introducing careers in wildlife science and animal conservation; provided lab tours and interactive demonstrations at Texas State University.
Role: Designed and led educational outreach, inspiring young students through hands-on exposure to laboratory research, animal husbandry, and the role of scientists in conservation.
2024 Roots and Wings Festival, South Austin Creek Alliance
Description: Represented Texas State University at a community festival; educated the Austin public on fish cognition, behavior, and links between urbanization, habitat complexity, and freshwater conservation.
Role: Delivered public outreach on scientific research, communicated ecological concepts to diverse audiences, and advocated for freshwater conservation as a community and statewide priority.
2024 STEM Outreach visit, Doral Academy of Science, Texas State University
Description: Hosted junior high students (grades 6–8), introducing careers in science; showcased research equipment, laboratory facilities, and animal husbandry practices at Texas State.
Role: Led lab and greenhouse tours, demonstrated experimental tools, and discussed graduate student life, inspiring interest in scientific careers among middle school students.
2022 National Geographic Interview, Austin Bat Refuge Representative
Description: Interviewed for National Geographic documentary on Texas bats, produced with Plimsoll Productions; highlighted ecological importance of bats and history of Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge colony.
Role: Represented Austin Bat Refuge as a bat rehabilitator; shared conservation expertise and communicated the significance of bats to local ecosystems and public audiences worldwide.
2021- Present Professional Development Course, Texas State University & Sunset Afterschool Program
Description: Designed and manage graduate-level professional development course requiring community outreach; partnered with Sunset Afterschool to connect graduate students and science with elementary school assemblies.
Role: Lead organizer; coordinate student participation, mentor graduate students in science communication, and facilitate outreach bridging Texas State research with Austin and San Marcos communities.
2021- 2023 Sunset Afterschool Program San Marcos, TX
Description: Presented four assemblies at Travis Elementary for 5th graders; engaged students in taxonomy using preserved specimens to illustrate traits of major animal groups.
Role: Delivered interactive lessons, guided student participation, and inspired curiosity about biodiversity and taxonomy through hands-on science education in an after-school setting.
2020-2022 Lab Manager and Supervisor of Animal Welfare Gabor-Aspbury Lab, Texas State University
Description: Oversaw animal care and welfare for laboratory research; ensured compliance with IACUC standards while maintaining organized, safe, and well-resourced lab operations.
Role: Managed daily fish husbandry and aquarium maintenance, organized lab meetings, coordinated guest speakers, tracked supplies, and supervised hazardous materials storage and disposal.
MENTORING
2025 Colby Durocher & Parker Malone Guided students in field methods (fish collection, habitat complexity measures) and in a research project comparing cognitive differences between Gambusia species. Provided mentorship through data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation; Durocher is co-author on a manuscript currently under review at Animal Cognition.
2024 Dani Lipscomb & Suzanne Finger Mentored students conducting honors thesis research by teaching methods for scoring cognitive performance in detour tests and performing dissections to assess life history traits in Gambusia affinis.
2022- 2024 Emily Edgar & Navya Plakaal Mentored students on conducting dissections to measure life history traits in Gambusia affinis for their Honors theses. Provided guidance on thesis defense preparation, including PowerPoint design and speech development.
2021 Ariel Newton Mentored student through comprehensive research training, from field to lab. Taught water quality assessments, multiple indicator monitoring (MIM) surveys, and biodiversity sampling across multiple EcoLab sites. Introduced laboratory methods and experimental design, including cognitive testing with detour assays on Gambusia affinis, fostering growth from field skills to independent research experience.
PRESENTATIONS
Irwin, K.B., Durocher, C., Wilroy, A., Bonner, T., and Gabor, C.R. 2025. Generalist vs. specialist strategy predicts behavior and cognition in sympatric Gambusia. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists 2025, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Irwin, K., Edgar, E.M., and Gabor, C.R. 2024. Reproductive allotment affects cognition in live-bearing Western Mosquitofish. Texas Conservation Symposium 2025, Georgetown, Texas.
Irwin, K., Edgar, E.M., and Gabor, C.R. 2024. Reproductive allotment affects cognition in live-bearing Western Mosquitofish. Animal Behavior Society 2024, Ontario, Canada.
Irwin, K., 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., 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., 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., 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., 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., 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., 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., 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., and Gabor, C.R. 2022. Environmental complexity predicts solving ability in Gambusia affinins. International Conference of Poeciliid Biologists, Wageningen, Netherlands.
Irwin, K., 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., 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
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 2024 Organismal Biology Lab (BIO 1131), Course Instructor: Dr. Andrea Aspbury
Fall 2023
Fall 2022
Spring 2022
Fall 2021
Spring 2021
Instructional Assistant, Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Spring 2025 Animal Behavior (BIO 4472), Course Instructor: Dr. Andrea Aspbury
Fall 2023
Fall 2021
Instructional Assistant, Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Spring 2025 Professional development 5100/7100, Course Instructor: Dr. Caitlin Gabor
Fall 2024
Spring 2024
Fall 2023
Spring 2023
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2020 Science Teacher, Flying Colors School of Life (Homeschool Program)
Description: Designed and taught biology curriculum to 1st–5th grade students to continue science education during COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.
Role: Developed and delivered interactive lessons, adapted complex biology concepts for young learners, and maintained student engagement through hands-on and inquiry-based learning activities.
2017-2020 Wildlife Responder, University of Texas, Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Description: Served on-call to respond to wildlife emergencies on campus, focusing on safe relocation and rehabilitation of injured or displaced animals.
Role: Captured and relocated bats, raptors, opossums, and raccoons; ensured animal welfare while protecting public safety, and collaborated with UT staff on humane wildlife management.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2025- Present American Institute of Biological Sciences: Member
2024-Present The ManyFishes international research team
2024-Present American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
2024-Present The Animal Behavior Society
2020-Present The Wildlife Society
2021-Present The Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
2020- Present IACUC Citi certified training
2015- Present Austin Bat Refuge