Dr. Tanesha Allen is a zoologist from Tacoma, Washington. Her love of animals – particularly animal behaviour – started from childhood as she watched deer, raccoons, and other wildlife roaming around her backyard. Throughout her life, Tanesha has worked with a variety of animals including small mammals, livestock, beetles, and badgers.

Tanesha has recently gained a Masters degree in animal behaviour from the University of Cambridge and her PhD from Oxford University studying badger Olfactory Communication. Most recently, she has become engaged in science communication/outreach by teaching students how to monitor wildlife on their school grounds. She is particularly passionate about getting students from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds interested in zoology.

Some useful links Tanesha spoke about in her talk:

• Alie Ward’s Ologies podcast, episode on behavioural ecology
• Scents and sensibilities: the invisible language of smell
• Laboratory with Leaves: Badgers