Upcoming Events
PhD Dissertation Defense - Environmental Science & Policy
Apr 8, 2026, 12:45 - 2:45 PM
Exploratory Hall Room 3301 and virtual on Zoom
Register for Zoom link here: https://tinyurl.com/3ku3m6pz
PhD Dissertation
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
College of Science
George Mason University
Candidate: Sarah M. Huskisson
Defense Date and Time: April 8, 2026 at 12:45pm
Defense Location: EXPL 3301 and Virtual on Zoom
Title: Integrative Wellbeing Assessment in Red Pandas: Understanding Temperament, Stress, and Health
Dissertation Director: Dr. Elizabeth Freeman
Committee: Drs. Nucharin Songsasen (co-chair), Kristina Delaksi, Kathleen Hunt, David Luther
ABSTRACT
Zoo-housed red pandas are at the center of several wellbeing questions, particularly as they relate to personality, stress, and gastrointestinal health. The research aimed to 1) elucidate distinct red panda personality dimensions (e.g., with novel object testing); 2) investigate the demographic, husbandry, and personality correlates of a common biomarker of stress physiology, fecal corticosterone metabolites; and 3) identify relationships among husbandry, demography, stress biomarkers and two indicators of gut health: short-chain fatty acid abundance and the frequency of mucoid stools. Overall, findings provide valuable data that can augment the wellbeing of red pandas in human care.
