This is a collage of photos of Mel and their animal-kin. Mel is a mixed heritage, Indigenous person in pale skin with long black hair with black facial hair. They have traditional facial markings on their chin and eyes in blue/black ink.

Mel (Melinda Trueblood-Stimpson; they/them) is a scientist with over 17 years of experience with felines and numerous years of experience with other species. They consider felines, wildlife, exotics, and laboratory species to be their special area of interest. They attended The Ohio State University for bachelor’s degrees in Zoology and Wildlife Science & Conservation. Currently, they are finishing their master’s degree in Social Work and hope to pursue a joint MD/Ph.D. program. They have worked and volunteered in veterinary clinics, zoos, wildlife centers, laboratories, and other animal-oriented facilities. For veterinary medicine, they are very passionate about cooperative veterinary care and the importance of ethology education for vet med professionals.

Mel spends their free time often in their community garden with their partner. They cherish their time with their 7 cats and two aquariums full of freshwater fishes. Outside of LAB, they work as a community health worker (and researcher) for rural, remote, and/or isolated communities. They are especially active in housing justice and advocating for their unhoused neighbors. Mel also volunteers in mental health, community organizing, public education, and wildlife rehabilitation.

Their passion for decolonization comes from being a multi-marginalized person with deep reverence for the Land. Mel grew up in an impoverished, rural, and traditionally nomadic Romani (G*psy) family. They are also Indigenous (L/Rudari, Romanichal, Shawnee), of Jewish ancestry, Two-Spirit, Disabled, Neurodivergent, and multilingual. Mel prefers the label of “IndigiNeuroQueer” gifted to them by an Elder.

Professional Memberships:

Academic Highlights: