Research Interests and Expertise

Dr. Calisi-Rodríguez has dedicated decades to unraveling the intricate effects of stress on animal biology. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought new layers of stress to society, compounding a pre-existing mental health epidemic. It was then that Dr. Calisi-Rodríguez decided to pivot her research program’s focus from understanding how stress can harm the body to how individuals can heal from stress. In 2022, she created The Green Care Lab to leverage her expertise in animal behavior, stress physiology, and behavioral neuroendocrinology to explore the science behind recovery and healing processes. Situated at Pine Trails Ranch, a 22-acre animal sanctuary in West Davis, the lab investigates the interconnected health of the humans, animals, nature, and their shared environment.