Who We Are – Colorado Anthrozoology Lab

Michael Kisley

Bio: Michael Kisley, PhD is a Professor of Psychology at UCCS and director of the Colorado Anthrozoology Lab. For more than two decades, his research has been connected by a central interest in emotion: how people experience it, understand it, and form beliefs about it. His current work grew from that foundation, extending the study of emotion beliefs to a new question: what do people believe about the emotional lives of animals? Motivated by concern about the ways animals are treated in human societies, he studies how these beliefs shape people’s attitudes, decisions, and behavior toward animals. This work is now the primary focus of his research.

Current and Ongoing Research: In addition to contributing to the student-led projects described below, Dr. Kisley leads the lab’s intervention studies. This work investigates whether helping people better understand the scientific evidence for animals’ emotional lives can shift attitudes about how animals should be treated, from companion-animal care to agriculture.

Anna Holloway

Bio: Anna is a second-year M.A. student in the Psychological Science program at UCCS. She earned her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Emporia State University (ESU) in 2025. During her time at ESU, she served as principal investigator on two studies examining factors that influence friendship formation, including the effects of shirt color and different forms of envy on social perceptions and interpersonal behavior. At UCCS, Anna works with Dr. Kisley in the Colorado Anthrozoology Lab, where they investigate how human psychology influences outcomes within human-animal interactions. Her current research focuses on how people perceive animal emotions and how those perceptions shape responses to companion animal behavior. Following completion of her M.A., she plans to pursue a Ph.D. Outside of research, Anna enjoys reading, baking high-altitude treats for friends, and spending time with her cat, Owen.

Current and Ongoing Research: While at UCCS, with the mentorship of Dr. Kisley, Anna has developed a study investigating how differences in participants’ understanding of animal emotions are related to their interactions with their companion cats and dogs, which has been submitted for publication. She has also created a companion animal Implicit Association Task, which is in the process of empirical validation. She is also currently developing her M.A. thesis proposal.

Isabel Melton

Bio: Isabel Melton is a senior undergraduate student at UCCS, pursuing a dual major in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Cognitive Studies. Her academic work focuses on human–animal relationships, particularly within underrepresented agricultural contexts. As a second-generation Indigenous Mexican American, she brings a culturally informed perspective and a strong commitment to amplifying diverse voices in research. She has previously completed the Psychiatry Undergraduate Research Program and Learning Experience at CU Anschutz, served as a principal investigator on an independent study, and is currently leading a project supported by the Undergraduate Research Academy (URA). Under the mentorship of Dr. Kisley in the Colorado Anthrozoology Lab, her research examines how beliefs about animals’ emotional capacity shape human attachment, moral concern, and behavior, with particular emphasis on agricultural populations. Following graduation in May 2027, Isabel plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to improve mental health access in underserved communities, including agricultural populations. Outside of research, she enjoys gardening, spending time with family, and working with animals.

Current and Ongoing Research: Isabel is a recipient of a research grant from the UCCS Undergraduate Research Academy (URA). She and Dr. Kisley are conducting research that extends our understanding of human beliefs about animal emotions into agricultural contexts. Her current work explores the perspectives of individuals who work directly with livestock, contributing to a more inclusive understanding of animal welfare and human–animal bonds.

H. Knox Huang

Bio: Knox is a first-year MSc Research Psychology student at the University of Amsterdam. He earned his B.A.s in Psychology and Philosophy in 2025 from Colorado College, where he conducted independent research on the effect of language and racial identity on perception of mental illnesses. Upon graduation, Knox works with Dr. Kisley in the Colorado Anthrozoology lab to investigate how racial identity influences people’s beliefs about animal emotions, and how such beliefs contribute to people’s attachment to their pets. Knox does not have a concrete plan yet for what happens after his Master’s, but he would like to use his knowledge in Psychology to help people with serious mental disturbances in one way or another. Outside of research, Knox enjoys walking in nature, cooking fusion cuisine, playing the piano, watching YouTube travel vlogs, and hanging out with his close friends.

Current and ongoing research: Knox is writing up a series of studies investigating the associations between beliefs about animal emotions and human-pet attachment under the mentorship of Dr. Kisley.