Dr. Erin Frick, Ph.d.

Lab Assistant

Sanaa is a senior at Eckerd College majoring in Marine Science with a minor in Animal Studies. She is passionate about studying marine mammals in human care and how it can enhance our understanding of their wild counterparts. She has gained experience volunteering with CMA and interning with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Project, Georgia Aquarium's Pinniped Department, and Dolphins Plus with their bottlenose dolphins, and hopes to pursue a career in marine mammal training in the future. 

Project Lead

Gracie is a senior at Eckerd College majoring in Animal Studies and Psychology with a minor in Anthropology. She is very interested in behavior modification, which is why she loves doing research for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium projects. Gracie has completed two animal care and training internships with the Africa department at ZooTampa and at Island Dolphin Care in the Florida Keys. Her hopes are to become a marine or terrestrial mammal trainer and eventually get her PhD in comparative psychology or animal behavior.

Lab Assistant

Bradi is a junior at Eckerd College double majoring in Animal Studies and Music. Her love for marine life grew through programs like Trainer for a Day and DolphinLab at Dolphin Research Center, where she gained valuable insights into conservation and research. This past summer, she served as a shift lead at a dog daycare, enhancing her leadership and animal care skills. Excited to begin volunteering at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in February, Bradi is focused on developing her expertise in training and observation, all while aspiring to become a marine mammal specialist in the future. 

Data Collector

Morgan is a senior at Eckerd College pursuing an Animal Studies major, with a minor in Biology. She is interested in rescue and rehab but also enjoys wildlife conservation. Morgan is a certified SCUBA diver and loves marine animals. Morgan also works as a professional mermaid and loves to teach children about ways to keep the ocean clean. 

Katie is a junior at Eckerd College double majoring in Psychology and Animal Studies, with a minor in Marketing. She hopes to go into the field of animal care and zookeeping, with a focus on collaborative breeding efforts for conservation of species and restoration of wild populations.

Data Collector

Madeline is a junior at Eckerd College majoring in Biology and minoring in Animal Studies on the pre-vet track. She is very passionate about veterinary care and animal welfare. She hopes to continue examining animal behavior and relating it to each animal's welfare. She is so excited to continue working on projects with the FAB Lab!

Data Analyst

Savannah is a first-year at Eckerd College double majoring in Marine Science and Animal Studies. During her college career, both undergraduate and graduate, she plans to participate in as much animal behavior research as possible. Savannah's research interests lie in cetacean behavior and communication, but she is open to studying other mammals and reptiles as well.

JJ is a junior at Eckerd College majoring in Animal Studies and Psychology, with a minor in Music. She is primarily interested in acoustic behaviors in cetaceans and aspires to be involved in research and conservation programs when she leaves Eckerd. She has recently worked with Cape Ann Whale Watch on humpback whale research. 

Kenzie is a senior at Eckerd College majoring in Animal Studies and Environmental Studies, with a minor in Biology. She spent the 2023 summer as an REU student at the University of North Florida and Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, where she researched Atlantic stingrays' welfare and social dynamics. She hopes to continue researching welfare and wants to pursue a master's degree after graduation.

Data Collector

Elena is a sophomore at Eckerd College majoring in Animal Studies, with a double minor in Anthropology and Spanish. Elena has a strong interest in primates, as well as marine mammals. She is also a student researcher for the Conservation Behavior Lab, conducting observations of the orangutans at ZooTampa.