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Who We Are


Emily Trunnell

WORK EXPERIENCE

Dr. Emily Trunnell earned a B.S. in nutrition science and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Georgia. During her graduate research, she studied the effects of diet on learning, memory, and gene expression in the brains of mice and rats. She is currently the director of PETA’s Science Advancement & Outreach division. She leads the team in its work to improve science policy and publishing and to replace the use of animals with superior research methods. Her peer-reviewed papers, letters, and opinion pieces have appeared in numerous publications, including Advanced Science, Drug Discovery Today, and Scientific American.

EDUCATION

University of Georgia
August 2016: Ph.D., Neuroscience
May 2010: B.S., Nutrition Science

PUBLICATIONS

View Emily Trunnell’s Bibliography →


Kati Bertrand

WORK EXPERIENCE

Kati Bertrand is SAO’s laboratory science specialist. She has an M.S. in animal husbandry and genetics from Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Poland. Before joining PETA, she worked as a research assistant at the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare at the University of Guelph in Canada and at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. At SAO, she works with issues of animal welfare and SAO’s outreach to students.

EDUCATION

Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences
August 2003: M.S., Animal Husbandry and Genetics
January 2002: Eng, Animal Science

PUBLICATIONS

Bertrand K. How COVID-19 demonstrated that animal research on vaccines isn’t necessary. The Hamilton Spectator. May 3, 2021. Accessed Aug 4, 2022.


Donya Mand

WORK EXPERIENCE

Dr. Mand is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University School of Medicine. As a student, she worked on clinical research projects, such as those aimed at enhancing the quality and effectiveness of Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment forms. At the Center for Biomedical Research, she spent several years working with human participants to devise training protocols in order to reduce the risk of falling. She has also volunteered at a clinic for indigent people and served as a peer reviewer for the AMA Journal of Ethics. She has worked extensively in the healthcare policy space with the Texas Medical Association (TMA), the American Medical Association, and TEXPAC. Her contributions to the field include editing numerous TMA proposals, actively participating in the development of medical legislation resolutions, and serving on a committee dedicated to enhancing patient-physician communication. Dr. Mand joined PETA as a science policy advisor in our International Laboratory Methods division and will be spending part of her time working on issues related to humane medical education, medical ethics, and more in SAO.

EDUCATION

Texas A&M University School of Medicine
May 2023: Doctor of Medicine – MD, Medicine


Gabby Vidaurre

WORK EXPERIENCE

Dr. Gabby Vidaurre earned a B.S. in Biology from the College of William and Mary and a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University. During her graduate research, she studied the role of an epigenetic regulator protein called Set1 in proper stem cell division and activity. She is currently a research associate for PETA’s Science Advancement & Outreach division. She works with the team to promote non-animal research methods and improve scientific publishing and science policy.

EDUCATION

Johns Hopkins University
May 2024: Ph.D., Cellular and Molecular Biology

College of William and Mary
May 2017: B.S., Biology

Dr. Gabby Vidaurre headshot
Who We Are