People
Meet the dedicated team of researchers, faculty, and students who make up the Animal Human Policy Center at Colorado State University.
Center Leadership
Dr. Rebecca (Becky) Niemiec (she/her)
Ph.D., Co-director of the CSU Animal Human Policy Center and Associate Professor
Dr. Niemiec is an Associate Professor in the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Department at Colorado State University. She has served as the manager of the Bureau of Animal Protection for the state of Colorado, where she and her team addressed domestic animal mistreatment throughout the state. She has authored over 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications and has led stakeholder processes and conducted social science research focused on the human dimensions of conservation and animal protection. Dr. Niemiec has a PhD in Environment and Resources from Stanford University and B.A. in Ecology and Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College.
Dr. Lori Kogan (she/her)
Ph.D., Co-director of the Animal Human Policy Center and Professor of Clinical Sciences
Dr. Kogan is a Professor of Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University. She serves as the Chair of the Human-Animal Interaction section of the American Psychological Association and Editor-in-Chief of the Human-Animal Interaction journal, an open-access, online publication published by CABI. She publishes and presents regularly on topics related to human animal interactions in both psychology and veterinary medicine venues.
Research Consultants
Dr. Claire Vaiden
DVM, Consultant
Dr. Vaiden is a consultant for the AHPC, working on projects related to access to veterinary care, the human-animal bond, and animal cruelty/neglect cases. Dr. Vaiden graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. Her passion for animal welfare began with running a student-led program that provided veterinary care to vulnerable populations in the local community and has continued through her roles as a general practitioner, shelter veterinarian, and forensic veterinarian. She moved to Colorado in 2016 with her now husband (also a veterinarian) and transitioned to shelter medicine in 2019. She loves serving her community by being a part of the safety net for Colorado's pet population.
Dr. Andrew Mertens (he/him)
Ph.D., M.A., M.S., Statistical Consultant and Data Scientist
Dr. Mertens is the statistical consultant and data scientist for the AHPC and a research data analyst and lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley. His methodological interests are in individual-participant data meta-analyses, causal inference, trial design, and replication and transparency in science. He obtained his PhD in Epidemiology, MA in Biostatistics, and MS in Environmental Health Science from the University of California, Berkeley.
Sara Remsen (she/her)
M.S., Technology Consultant
Sara currently serves as a technology consultant, advising on AI, data, and software product design initiatives. A repeat entrepreneur, she founded and scaled the AI analytics company Melodi and the augmented reality training company Waypoint. Sara earned an M.S. in Integrated Design & Management from MIT, where she was a research assistant at the MIT Media Lab, and a B.A. in Biology and Digital Arts from Dartmouth College. Beyond her professional work, she serves on the board of the nonprofit Biomimicry New England, volunteers with marine-mammal rescue, and is a regular guest speaker at MIT.
Current Students & Staff
Oliver Lesher
Ph.D. Student, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Oliver is a Ph.D. student in the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources department at Colorado State University, bringing forward diverse experience in science communication, animal welfare, and psychology research. Before beginning graduate studies, Oliver attained a B.A from the University of Virginia and spent several years in psychology research and veterinary medicine, working in both general practice and specialized veterinary behavior care for underserved communities. This hands-on experience led to professional certifications in separation anxiety, aggression, and cooperative veterinary care, providing practical insights that now inform academic research at the intersections of the human-animal bond and service to underserved communities. Currently, Oliver does research on pet-friendly housing and pet-related program evaluations with the Animal Human Policy Center at Colorado State University, and serves PACT by performing house visits with clients and working with the administrative team.
CSU Faculty Affiliates
Dr. Kevin Crooks
Professor, Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Dr. Crooks is a Professor in the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at CSU. He received his B.S. in Zoology at CSU; his M.S. in Ecology at U.C. Davis; his Ph.D. in Biology at U.C. Santa Cruz, and completed postdoctoral research at U.C. San Diego. Before arriving at CSU in 2003, he was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Because of his passion for conservation, his research examines the impacts of human disturbances on wildlife and the natural systems in which they live. He is Director of the CSU Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence, an interdisciplinary team of faculty, students, and partners who mission is to integrate transformative research, education, and outreach to reduce conflict and facilitate coexistence between humans and carnivores.
Dr. Danielle Frey (she/her)
Veterinarian and Community Outreach Specialist
Dr. Frey is a veterinarian with a drive for community outreach and engagement. In her role at Colorado State University (CSU), she has created programs that create a bridge to access veterinary care for clients that experience various barriers to that care, including geographical, financial, and linguistic. Participating veterinary students are exposed to the theory and structures of providing this care and the role they play in the community as public health practitioners. Additionally her work includes development of a 9-credit Spanish for the Veterinary Professional Graduate Certificate Program. Through her work with the AHPC, she aims to increase access to veterinary care for animals and connection to community.
Dr. Shelby E. McDonald
Sarama Bliss Endowed Chair in Human-Animal Interaction and Associate Professor
Dr. McDonald is a nationally recognized expert on human-animal interaction (HAI), trauma, and health equity. She serves as the Sarama Bliss Endowed Chair in Human-Animal Interaction and Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Colorado State University. Dr. McDonald directs RISE HAI (Research for Inclusion, Social Justice, and Equity in Human-Animal Interaction), a research lab advancing equity-driven, community-engaged science focused on the dynamic relationships between humans and animals and their interconnected wellbeing. Dr. McDonald has engaged in formal policy training through the Virginia Commonwealth University Translational Research Fellows Program and has served on community coalitions focused on policy building at the intersection of violence toward humans and animals. She has presented at congressional briefings aimed at informing federal policy related to trauma, mental health, and human-animal relationships. Her work supports inclusive, evidence-based policymaking that advances health, safety, and justice across species.
Dr. John Mola
Assistant Professor, Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship
Dr. Mola is an assistant professor in the department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University. He is an applied ecologist, primarily with a focus on pollinating insects, especially bumble bees. In close collaboration with university, government, and non-profit partners, his research group works on topics in pollinator conservation, urban ecology, forest ecology, conservation genetics, and more. With AHPC, John serves as an entomological expert on projects related to pollinator conservation and policy.
Previous Students & Staff
Dr. Veronica Champine (she/her)
Former Research Scientist and Adjunct Professor (2023)
Dr. Champine was a research scientist for the CSU Animal Human Policy Center and Adjunct Professor in the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Department in 2023. Over the last five years, Veronica has collaborated with local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and extension agencies around Colorado to study individual and collective action to support urban biodiversity conservation. Dr. Champine has a PhD in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and Master's of Science in Conservation Leadership from Colorado State University and a B.A. in Psychology from University of California, Santa Barbara.