Dr Collins is a specialist in zoo animal science with a particular interest in animal behavior in captivity, human-animal interactions and education in the zoo. After growing up in St Louis, Missouri, Courtney earned a BA in Biology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Ireland where she spent the next 22 years! Courtney earned an MSc in Zoology from Trinity College Dublin, which focused on visitor effects in captive western lowland gorillas, then a PhD from University College Cork (UCC). Her PhD was an inter-disciplinary project which focused on children’s learning in zoos and aquariums and the behavioral response of captive animals to visiting children. Courtney then completed a postdoc at UCC which focused on human-animal interactions in the zoo and promoting pro-conservation behavior in visitors.
Prior to joining UVM in 2023, she was a lecturer involved with the dual degree program in Environmental Science with Environmental Management between UCC and the University of Minzu, China.
Courtney has worked for a wildlife sanctuary, an SPCA, several zoos and even a donkey farm! She enjoys reading, swimming, running and especially spending time with her family, including three cats and a dog.