Ilex Star

Responsibilities

Ilex Star joined the Animal Care and Use Program in 2024 as a protocol coordinator. They have many years of experience in animal care, veterinary medicine, and teaching, with an emphasis on animal cognition and welfare.

Background

Ilex has extensive experience with a broad range of animals in veterinary, research, teaching, zoo, and museum settings. Ilex began their career as a veterinary assistant at an avian-only veterinary clinic while studying veterinary medical technology. During their undergraduate career, they conducted research at the North Carolina Zoo Forest Aviary, with the goal of improving quality of life in captive parrots. After completing their undergraduate studies, Ilex worked alongside the veterinary services team at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, developing their veterinary, administrative, and teaching skills. They then worked in research facilities at both Duke University Medical Center and North Carolina State University (NCSU) honing their animal husbandry, research, and technical skills.

During their graduate studies, they taught a number of animal-focused courses both on- and off-campus. Following graduation, they managed a comparative cognition laboratory at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine before returning to work as a research technician at the NCSU College of Sciences.

Education

Ilex holds a Bachelor of Science in zoology with minors in psychology and cognitive science and an M.S. in biology from North Carolina State University. They are a registered lab animal technician and have spent many years volunteering, teaching, and conducting outreach, educating diverse audiences on animal physiology, welfare, and husbandry.