Sabrina Mederos-Seaborn

My name is Sabrina Mederos-Seaborn, I am a PhD candidate and NSF GRFP fellow in the Animal Behavior graduate group!

My academic journey began at UC Davis in 2016 as an undergraduate, where I fell in love with the research process. Majoring in Animal Science and Neurobiology, I immersed myself in diverse research experiences, working in various labs across campus with species ranging from pigs, dogs, and quail to mice and insects. These experiences highlighted the critical role research and understanding an animal’s perspective play in ensuring their welfare.

My primary undergraduate research was conducted at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine under Dr. Mikel Delgado. I assisted with feeding studies and developed a strong interest in parental behaviors and attachment. This led me to contribute to a nest separation study and, through the McNair Scholars Program, design and execute my own project examining the effects of stereotypic behavior on the development of orphaned neonatal kittens.

In 2020, I joined the Bales Lab as a graduate student, where Dr. Karen Bales expanded her research into marine biology to investigate pair bonding from a novel perspective. Our research focuses on the neurobiological and epigenetic factors underlying the formation and maintenance of pair bonding in the lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus). Specifically, I explore their unique courtship behaviors and assess classically recognized pair bonding characteristics, such as partner preference and coordinated behaviors. Additionally, we aim to deepen our understanding of seahorse neuroanatomy and gene expression related to pair bonding and brain organization, utilizing molecular techniques to uncover the mechanisms driving these behaviors.

Beyond my work with seahorses, I remain active in the prairie vole lab, contributing to behavioral testing for an aging project that examines how various social experiences influence behavioral and physiological outcomes across the lifespan as well as assisting in our prenatal cannabis exposure projects.

I also serve as the co-editor of the Science and Culture column for The Ethogram, the Animal Behavior Graduate Group’s online blog. Through this platform, we aim to make exciting animal science accessible to the public and K–12 students.

Outside the lab, I enjoy video and board games, fostering kittens through the Solano Kitten Network, hiking, practicing archery, and spending time with my incredible lab mates and ABGG cohort.

Feel free to reach out via email (slmederos@ucdavis.edu) or visit my LinkedIn profile for more information.