Eduardo Fernandez

Dr Eduardo Fernandez

Senior Lecturer

School of Animal and Veterinary Science

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Eduardo J. Fernandez is a Senior Lecturer of Applied Animal Behaviour & Welfare and Director of the Animal Behaviour Program in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide (Australia). He received his Ph.D. in Psychology (minors in Neuroscience and Animal Behavior) from Indiana University, where he worked with the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Zoo. He received his M.S. in Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas, where he founded the Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies with Animals (ORCA). Most of his past and current work involves behavioral research applied to the welfare and training of zoo, aquarium, and companion animals. His past positions include a Visiting Professorship at Seattle Pacific University, a Visiting Professorship in the School of Behavior Analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology, an Affiliate Assistant Professorship in the Psychology Department at the University of Washington, a Research Fellowship with Woodland Park Zoo, and a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. While working with UW and the Woodland Park Zoo, he started the Behavioral Enrichment Animal Research (BEAR) group, which conducted welfare research with many of the species and exhibits located throughout the zoo. He currently runs the Operant Welfare Lab (OWL), which is dedicated to the use of learning principles to improve the lives of animals across many settings, including exotic animals in zoos and companion animals in homes and shelters. OWL is also part of the broader Animal Behaviour, Welfare, and Anthrozoology Lab (ABWAL; abwal.com). Many of Eduardo’s past publications, research projects, and presentations can be found on his ResearchGate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eduardo_Fernandez18

2023                Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Project, Waltham Petcare Science Institute

2024                Coordinator, AN BEHAV 3000RW - The Science of Enrichment and Animal Learning (SEAL)

2024                Coordinator, ANIML SCI 3530RW - Integrative Domestic and Exotic Animal Studies (IDEAS)

2023                Coordinator, AN BEHAV 3000RW – Applied Behaviour Analysis with Animals 

2022 – 2023     Coordinator, ANIML SCI 3530RW – Companion Animal and Equine Studies III 

2022                Instructor, PSY 1180 – Introduction to Psychology (SPU)

2022                Instructor, PSY 2360 – Statistics in the Behavioral Sciences (SPU)

2022                Instructor, PSY 3438 – Social Psychology (SPU)

2021 – 2022      Instructor, PSY 3588 – Psychological Research Methods (SPU)

2021                Instructor, PSY 3800 – Cognitive Psychology (SPU)

2019 – 2020     Instructor, BEH 5023 – Intro. to Experimental Analysis of Behavior (FIT)

2019 – 2020     Instructor, BEH 5030 – Capstone III, Applied Behavior Analysis (FIT)

2018 – 2020     Instructor, BEH 5029 – Capstone II, Applied Behavior Analysis (FIT)

2018 – 2019     Instructor, BEH 5028 – Capstone I, Applied Behavior Analysis (FIT)

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Principal Supervisor Studying Visitor-Stress Interaction and Public Perception at Gladys Porter Zoo for Exotic Animal Welfare Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Claudia Martinez
    2024 Principal Supervisor Optimizing Captive Animal Welfare: Integrating Training Methods with Acoustic Enrichment for Enhanced Environmental Stimulation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Lesia Marie Hryhorenko
    2024 Principal Supervisor Stimulating natural foraging through food-based enrichment in captive animals Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Aamer Sohel Khan
    2024 Principal Supervisor The effects of choice, control, and cognitive challenge on the welfare of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Kelli Marie Rust
    2023 Co-Supervisor Anthropogenic Effects on Zoo Animal Welfare Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Claudia Pei Pei Tay
    2022 Co-Supervisor Investigating Correlations Between Behaviour, Affect, and Welfare in Reptiles Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Jessica Thea Turner
  • Community Engagement

    Date Title Engagement Type Institution Country
    2023 - ongoing Academic Mentor - Operant Welfare Lab (OWL) Scientific Community Engagement School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide Australia
  • Consulting/Advisories

    Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
    2016 - ongoing Smart Animal Training Systems/Pet Tutor Pet Tutor Scientific research United States
  • Editorial Boards

    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2023 - ongoing Associate Editor Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science Animals & Society Institute United States
    2021 - ongoing Editor Animal Behavior and Cognition Oakland University United States
    2020 - ongoing Editor Behavioural Processes Universities and Research Institutions Netherlands
  • Position: Senior Lecturer
  • Phone: 83130645
  • Email: eduardo.fernandez@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: Roseworthy
  • Building: J.S. Davies Building, floor Ground Floor
  • Room: G08
  • Org Unit: School of Animal and Veterinary Science

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