Hayley Ann Spina
About - Present, Past and Future
Present
I am a neuroendocrinologist, wildlife biologist, and conservationist. I am currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Toronto Zoo where I research conservation breeding and reintroduction programs. For my PhD thesis work, I studied the causes and consequences of the breeding behaviour, double-brooding, in wild population of Savannah sparrows. I am the founder and one of the leading members of Bird Safe Guelph, a local volunteer organization dedicated to bird conservation. When I'm not at my desk or in the field, you'll find me out taking photographs, travelling, camping, reading, brewing ginger beer, and spending time with friends and family.
I completed a Bachelor of Science degree at Queen's University, with a major in Life Sciences and a minor in Psychology (2011-2015), and a Master of Science degree with Dr. Neil MacLusky in the Biomedical Sciences Department at the University of Guelph (2017-2019). In between these degrees, I worked as a Research Assistant at Archie's Cochlear Implant Lab at the Hospital for Sick Children, and as an Au Pair in Verona, Italy. Before beginning my Doctoral degree, I assisted Dr. Luc Wauters at Università degli Studi dell’Insubria with field research studying the ecology of Eurasian Red Squirrels. I completed my Doctor of Philosophy degree in Integrative Biology at the University of Guelph (2019-2024) with Dr. Amy Newman. During my PhD, I travelled to California where I was a Visiting Graduate Researcher with Dr. Morgan Tingley.
Past
Future
I aspire to to lead conservation initiatives that protect North American wildlife through research, education, public engagement, and hands-on conservation action. I aim to pursue a photography degree, and integrate photography into my career. I wish to continue life-long learning, including growing my naturalist knowledge, learning the Italian language, and gaining a deeper understanding of our world's prevalent environmental and social justice issues. I desire to travel, often, and grow old surrounded by friends, family and my husband, Giovanni.