Taylor Crisologo

Dvm Student Researcher (Sue Vandewoude Research Group)

Colorado State University

Present

Floating Animal Keeper (California Trail)

Oakland Zoo · Oakland, California, United States

• Applied positive reinforcement training, enrichment, and behavior-based husbandry to support animal welfare at an AZA-accredited facility • Gained hands-on husbandry experience with large carnivores, hoofstock, and raptors, including California condors, jaguars, and bison • Delivered engaging public keeper talks and Q&A sessions on species conservation, natural history, and individual animal care stories

Apprentice Animal Keeper (California Trail)

Oakland Zoo · Oakland, California, United States

• Adapted quickly to animal needs through real-time problem-solving and flexible care approaches • Collaborated within a small, high-performing team in fast-paced, detail-critical, and safety-sensitive environments

Keeper Aide

Oakland Zoo · Oakland, California, United States

• Advanced husbandry skills by learning to safely administer medications to giraffe and waterfowl under staff supervision • Identified native and toxic plant species to assist with safe and appropriate browse collection for the giraffe herd

Animal Care Intern

Oakland Zoo · Oakland, California, United States

• Gained foundational experience in large hoofstock husbandry while working primarily with reticulated giraffe • Maintained exhibits and night houses, prepared enrichment, and observed training sessions

Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern

Lindsay Wildlife Experience · Walnut Creek, California, United States

• Interned at a wildlife hospital specializing in the care and rehabilitation of native birds, reptiles, and mammals • Provided daily husbandry for patients, including feeding, weighing, preparing diets, administering medications, and maintaining enclosures • Assisted in patient triage, initial physical examinations, and medical charting under the supervision of veterinary staff

Clinic Intern

Los Altos Veterinary Clinic · Los Altos, California, United States

• Volunteered at a small animal veterinary hospital providing care for canine and feline patients • Demonstrated professionalism through positive client interactions and accurate patient history collection • Assisted with animal restraint and observed a variety of medical procedures in a clinical setting

Field Assistant

Cornell Lab of Ornithology · Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

• Conducted daily behavioral observations of individually color-banded fairy-wrens as part of a long-term field study • Performed mist-netting, banding, and collected blood and feather samples for genetic and physiological analysis

Education Director

Cornell Raptor Program · Ithaca, New York, United States

• Trained in raptor husbandry, including safe handling, feeding, and weight monitoring procedures • Delivered 30+ educational presentations to diverse audiences, from preschoolers to university students • Supervised and trained 20+ volunteers in the duration of my position; developed educational content and presentation materials for 12 raptor species

Student Volunteer

Cornell Raptor Program · Ithaca, New York, United States

Ivy Expeditions Member

Cornell Lab of Ornithology · Ithaca, New York, United States

• Investigated vocal mimicry in the courtship display of the superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) as part of a collaborative field team • Designed and executed playback experiments, conducted point counts, and documented fine-scale behavioral observations • Collected and archived high-quality audio/video specimens in the Macaulay Library of Sound

Ornithology Intern

Shoals Marine Laboratory · Kittery, Maine, United States

• Monitored breeding biology of herring gulls (Larus argentatus) across two consecutive field seasons, tracking 50+ nests daily from egg to fledging • Designed and conducted behavioral, supplemental feeding, and artificial shelter experiments on nest defense behavior • Handled and measured chicks, collected blood samples, and banded hundreds of fledglings as part of a long-term research study