Research Assistants
The Alex Foundation support team consists of many individuals who volunteer their time and service. From students at Harvard University and other Boston-area institutions to the countless supporters from all walks of life who give time, energy, and materials, our behind-the-scenes crew makes it possible to keep the research ongoing.
Charlotte Mulligan
Charlotte began her academic career studying Neuroscience at Pace University. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Animal Behavior and Conservation at Hunter College. As a graduate student, she worked with Dr. Diana Reiss to investigate the cognitive abilities of bottlenose dolphins, focusing particularly on their working memory capacity. After gaining experience working with animals in a variety of settings, Charlotte joined the Pepperberg Lab as manager in September 2025. She has greatly enjoyed working with Griffin and the team, and looks forward to pursuing future research examining questions of consciousness and metacognition in nonhuman animals. She also loves music, and makes a mean chocolate chip cookie.
Diana Greene
Diana is the Public Relations Coordinator for the Alex Foundation, where she assists with communications, fundraising, and social media. She shares her life with three parrots, and is particularly interested in exploring enrichment opportunities that promote their physical and mental well-being.
Kerry Batchelder
Kerry graduated Mount Ida College with B.S. in Veterinary Technology in 2016 and followed that with obtaining her CVT. She has been working with a variety of avian species since 2021 and has a special interest in working with wildlife and exotic animals. Her home is currently filled with a dog, a cat, and one free range red-footed tortoise.
Matthew McKay
Matthew is back in Boston after living and teaching abroad in the United Kingdom following the completion of a Master’s Degree in Animal Welfare and Conservation. Prior to that, he completed his Bachelors Degree in Biology at Emmanuel College near Fenway Park; before moving to Florida and working as a Veterinary Nurse. He lives with his wife, cat, and dog and is an avid Boston sports fan.
Francesca Cornero
Francesca first joined the lab as an RA while an undergraduate at Harvard. She earned a Master's in psychology from the University of Cambridge studying Eurasian jays, then submitted a PhD thesis there on rooks and African Grey parrots. Her interests include logical reasoning, mirror perception, metacognition, and information seeking. In her free time she's Griffin's emotional support person, an amateur bird photographer, and a horse rider.