Education
2019-2021
Hunter College, City University of New York
Master of Arts in Animal Behavior & Conservation
Thesis: Behavioral Patterns of Goldfish Exploring A “Fish Tower” [presentation, paper]
Advisor: Dr. Becca Franks; Committee: Dr. Joshua Plotnik
2007-2011
The University of Miami
Bachelor of Science in Marine Science & Biology
Minor in Chemistry
Research & Professional Experience
2023-present
Senior Manager of Research & Sanctuary Animal Welfare, Farm Sanctuary
2021-2023
Manager of Research & Animal Welfare, Farm Sanctuary
2021
Teaching Assistant, Psychology Department, Hunter College
2020-2021
Manager, Thinking Dog Center, Hunter College
2019-2021
Associate Trainer & New Client Coordinator, School for the Dogs
2019
Head of Training & Behavior, Boston Dog Butlers
2014-2019
Founder & Owner, Freedom Tail Pet Services
2012
Research Intern, Bracken Lab of Marine Biodiversity, Northeast University
2011-2014
Science Teacher, Jumoke Academy Honors Middle School
2010-2011
Keeper Intern, ZooMiami
2010-2011
Undergraduate Research Technician, Early Life Histories Lab, NOAA
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Becker N, Prasad-Shreckengast S, Byosiere S-E. (2021). Methodological challenges in the assessment of dogs’ (Canis lupus familiaris) susceptibility of the Ebbinghaus-Titchener Illusions using the spontaneous choice task. Animal Behavior and Cognition, 8(2), 138-151. [link]
Other Publications
Prasad-Shreckengast S. (2023, March 8). Sanctuary-Based Research: Research For Animals. Faunalytics. [link]
Byosiere S-E & Prasad-Shreckengast S. (2021). Canine cognition. In J. Vonk & T. Shackelford (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior (Living Edition). Springer, Cham. [link]
Grants & awards
2020
Refinement Grant Recipient, Animal Welfare Institute
2012, 2013
Segal Education Award Recipient, AmeriCorps
2007-2011
University Honors, The University of Miami
2007-2011
President’s Scholarship Recipient, The University of Miami
Conference Presentations
Prasad-Shreckengast S. (2023). Sanctuary-Based Research: Research With Animals, For Animals. Presentation at BioSummit, virtual summit. [link]
Prasad-Shreckegnast S, Holakovsky J, & Torgerson-White L. (2022). Do Chickens Enjoy Learning? An Investigation Into the Emotional Responses of Gallus gallus domesticus to Their Own Learning Outcomes. Presentation at Fauna Connections, virtual symposium. [link]
Prasad-Shreckengast S & Torgerson-White L. (2022) Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) Voluntarily Participate in Cognitive Test at Farm Animal Sanctuary. Presentation at the Animal Behavior Society Conference, San Jose, Costa Rica. [link]
Torgerson-White L, Prasad-Shreckengast S, & Gruen L. (2022). Understanding Farmed Animals as Agents: Ethical Animal Research. Recorded presentation at the Ethics of Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research for the 21st Century and Beyond, virtual workshop. [link]
Prasad-Shreckengast S & Franks B. (2021). Cognitive exploration through free-choice exploration for Goldfish, Koi, and Bluegill. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Animal Behavior Society, virtual meeting. [poster, presentation]
Certifications
2023
Certified Training Partner, Karen Pryor Academy
2017
Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior, University of Washington
2011
Certified Educator, State of Connecticut
Memberships & Affiliation
2020-2021, 2018
Animal Behavior Society
2020
The Kerulos Center for Nonviolence
2020
Cognitive Science Society
2011-2013
Teach for America
2009
Organization for Tropical Studies, Costa Rica
Voluntary Service
2020-2021
President, Animal Behavior & Conservation Club at Hunter College
2019-2020
Handler, Thinking Dog Center
2019-2020
Events Chair, Animal Behavior & Conservation Club at Hunter College
2016-2019
Volunteer & Foster, Last Hope K9 Rescue
2015-2016
Safewalk Volunteer, MSPCA
Media
2023
Farm Sanctuary YouTube, “PTSD in Rescued Farm Animals? A Scientific Exploration.” [link]
2023
Farm Sanctuary Instagram, “Do you know the real reason egg prices are so high?” [link]
2022
The New York Times, “Why Did the Chicken Cross the Barn? To Sign Up for the Scientific Study.” [link, PDF]
2022
The ASPCA Instagram, “Do chickens enjoy learning?” [link]
2022
The Dodo Facebook Live, “Let's watch an im-peck-able (and ethical) chicken cognition study done at Farm Sanctuary in New York!” [link]
2022
Farm Sanctuary Blog, “What is Sanctuary-Based Research?” [link]
2022
AWI Quarterly, Behavioral Patterns of Goldfish Exploring a “Fish Tower” [link]
2021
Oko Farms Instagram, “NYU Animal Research student Sasha Prasad shares her experience with the fish at Oko Farms” [link]
2020
SFTD Podcast, “Sasha Prasad on Helping Animals Live Happier Lives” [link]
2017
Boston Voyager, “Meet Sasha Prasad of Freedom Tail” [link]
Skills
Designing & Executing Research in Animal Behavior & Animal Welfare
Statistical Analysis (SPSS)
Behavioral Coding (BORIS, Excel, ZooMonitor)
Project Management
Oral & Written Communication
Basic Qualitative Research Methods
Positive Reinforcement Training Methods
Updated July 2023
