Radhika Makecha
Associate Professor of Animal Studies & Psychology
Education
- Ph.D. University of Southern Mississippi, Experimental Psychology
- M.A. University of Southern Mississippi, Experimental Psychology
- B.S. Texas A&M University, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
Research & Academic Interests
- Using animal cognition as an educational tool for coexistence efforts
Publications
- Makecha, R. N., Phalke, S., & Nakai, Y. (2021). Assessing the effects of a cognition-based education program on attitudes of villagers towards Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in conflict-prone areas, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 25(4), 368 – 381.
- Makecha, R. N., & Highfill, L. (2018). Environmental enrichment and animal welfare: A review. Aquatic Mammals, 44, 221 – 230.
- Makecha, R. N., & Ghosal, R. (2017). Elephant conservation: Reviewing the need and potential impact of cognition-based education. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 30.
- Makecha, R., Fad, O., & Kuczaj, S. A. II. (2012). An investigation of the use of touch in the social interactions of a group of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 25(1), 60 – 82.
- Davis, M., Highfill, L., & Makecha, R. N. (2022). Is there value in including information about animal cognition and emotion in zoo messaging? Visitor Studies, 26(1), 42 – 58.
- Mitchell, R. W., & Makecha, R. N. (2017). The interpretation of cows’ psychology: Commentary on Marino and Allen (2017) the psychology of cows. Animal Behavior and Cognition, 4, 515 – 518.
Awards & Accolades
- A recipient of the College of Letters, Arts, & Social Sciences Awesome Advisor Award (2022)
- A recipient of Eastern Kentucky University’s Critical Thinking Teaching Award (2018 – 2019)
- A recipient of Eastern Kentucky University’s Critical Thinking Teacher of the Year Award (2015 – 2016)
