Meet Skyheart's Team
Meet our Teachers!
Claire Short
|
Managing Director and Lead Education Instructor
Claire is a wildlife biologist, animal behavior researcher, and experienced K–12 educator with a B.S. in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology from UC Davis. She brings more than a decade of experience working with and training animals, with particular expertise in positive reinforcement, animal behavior, welfare, and cooperative care. At Skyheart, Claire develops and leads hands-on science and animal education programs and has extensive experience creating supportive, engaging learning experiences for neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults.
|
Maxwell Bales, M.S.
|
Education Instructor
Maxwell is a UC Davis DVM/PhD student, animal behavior researcher, and science educator who earned his B.S./M.S. from Yale University before beginning his veterinary and doctoral training at UC Davis. His work bridges veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and human wellbeing. At Skyheart, he has developed and taught hands-on STEM curriculum exploring animal behavior, cognition, welfare, and enrichment, helping young people discover that improving an animal’s life can be both meaningful and genuinely fascinating science.
|
Meet our Board!
Rebecca Calisi-Rodríguez, Ph.D.
|
Executive Director & President
Rebecca is a UC Davis professor, behavioral neuroscientist, educator, and the founder of Skyheart Sanctuary. Her research explores animal behavior, stress, and the science of human–animal relationships, including how interactions with animals and nature can support human wellbeing. At Skyheart, she helps bring science out of the laboratory and onto the ranch, shaping educational programs where young people can ask real questions, make discoveries, and learn alongside animals and nature.
|
Stefanne Haro-Maendly
|
Director & Treasurer
Stefanne brings years of experience in research administration and account management at UC Davis, along with a deep commitment to community service. Beyond lending her financial and administrative expertise to Skyheart, she generously volunteers her time to numerous community projects and causes.
|
Crystal Rogers, Ph.D.
|
Director & Secretary
Crystal is a UC Davis professor, developmental biologist, educator, and dedicated mentor in the School of Veterinary Medicine. At Skyheart, Crystal brings her love of animals, science, teaching, and community to a mission that brings all four together.
|