Melissa Robin Shyan-Norwalt, PHD, MSc., BA

Dr. Shyan-Norwalt is an Educator Professr of Psycholgy in the College of Arts and Science of Arts and Sciences at the University of Cincinnati . She received her PhD in Experimental Psychology at the University of Hawaii in Comparative Cognition. After a two-year postdoctoral fellowship on research in primate cognition at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, she taught for two years at Southwest Texas State University, and then moved to Butler University in Indianapolis, where she taught experimental methods, learning, and cognition for 13 years. She has been a college professor, published scientist, animal shelter manager, and animal behaviorist. Primary research interests include student study skills enhancement, animal welfare, the human-animal bond, and animal cognition.

PhD: University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI, 1985 (Experimental Psychology/Comparative Cognition)

MS: Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL, 1981 (Experimental Psychology/Comparative Cogntion)

BA: Hood College Frederick, MD, 1977 (Double Major: Psychology and Philosophy)

Postdoctoral Fellowship: University of Houston Health Sciences Center Houston, TX, 08-30-1987 (Comparative Animal Cognition, auditory cognition in rhesus macaques)

Although I am an Educator Assistant Professor of Psychology, I continue to do a small amount of research. I have three primary research interests: 1. (Basic science) the animal cognition and behavior, 2. student study skills, and 3. (Applied science) models of scientifically-based animal enrichment, scientifically based behavior problem solving and the human–animal bond.

 

2015 -2021 Educator Assistant Professor, Psychology, Teaching in-class and online Psychology courses. Developing and presenting new online courses. Serving on Department Psychology online course committee and on Department travel committee. Mentoring student in Senior Thesis, UC College of Arts and Science of A&S, Cincinnati, Ohio

2014 -2015 Associate Professor, Psychology, Teach Psychology Courses, develop online courses. Advise students for major, serve as chair on University Block Scheduling Ad Hoc committee. Gave public education presentations. Helped revise Psych major. Mentored students in Research, University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande Ohio

2012 -2014 Animal Shelter Operations Manager, Shelter Operations Manager for Collier County Domestic Animal Services, in Naples, Florida. I evaluated animals for adoption, was responsible for animal behavior problem resolution both in-house and with adopted pets, I taught obedience training to volunteers and staff, developed enrichment programs, enhanced animal holding environments, presented public education lectures on animal behavior, and performed other animal behavior functions. I interacted with the public, enhancing customer service and pet retention, acting as a behavior resource both live and by phone. I managed 15 staff members, three supervisors, and over 40 active (200 inactive) volunteers. I supervised day-to-day activities, animal husbandry, coordinated with veterinary care, animal enrichment, public adoptions, media relations, fund raising, and public education. Our facility was an open-admissions facility and handled 3,000 domestic dogs, 3,000 domestic cats, stray and confiscated horses, pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits (and other “small fuzzies”) and a variety of amphibians and reptiles and birds. I was responsible for budgets, staff professional development and annual evaluations, public-complaints and issues (there were many!), interacting with other County-government agencies, meeting county-, state-, and federal-, and other responsibilities and duties. I interacted with the Advisory Board, the County Commissioners, the news media, and other stakeholders, Collier County Domestic Animal Services, Naples, FL

2009 -2012 Acting Chair/Full Professor Psychology, Served as acting chair and Professor of Psychology--managed dept budgets, faculty, updated majors and other duties. Curriculum Committee, Chair of IRB, et set, Martin University, Indianapolis, IN

2021 -2025 Educator Associate Professor, Associate Professor of Psychology, Educator. Teaching a variety of Psychology courses, providing service to the department and university., University of Cincinnati, Concinnati, Ohio

2025 - Full Professor, Educator, Professor Educator of Psychology, teach and develop courses in multiple areas, serve on department committees, mentor undergraduate students, provide university and community service., University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

Peer Reviewed Publications

Pack, A.A., Herman, E.Y.K., Baker, C.S., Bauer, G.B., Clapham, P J., Connor,    R. C., Craig, A. S., Forestell, P. H., Frankel, A. S., Notarbartolo Di Sciara, G., Hoffmann-Kuhnt, M., Mercado III, E., Mobley, J., Shyan-Norwalt, M.R., Spitz, S.S., Solangi, M., Thompson, R.K.R., Von Fersen, L., Uyeyama, R., Wells, R. & Wolz, J.P. (2017). Memories: Louis M. Herman (1930-2016). Marine Mammal Science, 33(1), 389-406.
 

Craig, M., Rand, J.S., Mesch, R., Shyan-Norwalt, M.R., Morton, J., and Flickinger, E.A. (2012). Domestic dogs demonstrate both primacy and recency serial position effects using the radial arm maze. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 126(3), Aug 2012, 233-242. 

Story, M., Rand, J.S., Shyan-Norwalt, M.R., Mesch, R., Flickinger, E.A.(2012). Effect of short-term resveratrol supplementation on the performance of dogs in an eight arm radial maze.  The Open Nutrition Journal, 2012, 6, 80-88.

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R., Peterson, J., Milankow, B., Dale, R.H.I, and Staggs, T. (2010). Initial Findings on Visual Acuity Thresholds in an African Elephant (Loxodonta Africana).  Zoo Biology, 29(1), 30-35. 

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. (2009). The human-animal bond in laboratory animals. Lab Animal, 38(4) April, 132-136.

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. (2005). Caregiver Perceptions of What Indoor Cats Do "For Fun." Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 8(3), 199-209.

Walters, K.A.F., King, C., Scolaro, C. L.C., Shyan-Norwalt, M. R. (2020). “Reconciliation in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): Evidence for the uncertainty reduction hypothesis.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 226, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2020.104987

Conference/Workshop Proceedings

Shyan-Norwalt, M., Smith, R., Levy, J., Soderberg, J. (2011). Do dolphins do it: Comparison of three novel to one control condition on motivating multiply-disabled adolescents. Online Poster Proceedings of the 20th International Society for Anthrozoology Conference, Aug 4-6, Indianapolis, In. http://www.scribd.com/doc/67767957/Do-Dolphins-Do-It
-Comparison-of-Three-Novel-to-One-Control-Condition-on-Motivating-Multiply-Disabled-Adolescents

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. (2018). Application of concepts through engaging student activities for online classrooms. Proceedings of the 6th Annual 3T: Teaching, Techniques & Technology Conference, University of Cincinnati, Clermont, OH.  https://scholar.uc.edu/show/st74cq548

Work in Progress

Murphy, KA & Shyan-Norwalt, MR (In Prep). The P.R.E.P.A.R.E. model: enhancing study skills in diverse student groups to foster course success and mental health. To be submitted to Journal of Excellence in College Teaching.

Murphy, K.A & Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. (In Prep). Anticipating events: Expectancy of Reward in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) & cats (Felis catus). To be submitted to Journal of Comparative Psychology or Comparative Cognition.

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. & Bertoia, N .(In Prep). Behavioral self-regulation reduces barking and stress for dogs in shelter and laboratory. To be submitted to Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science or Applied Animal Behavior Science.

Book Chapter

Duffee, N. & Shyan-Norwalt, M. (2022) Book Chapter: The IACUC. In Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior, Vonk, J. & Shakelford, T.K. (Eds) , Springer: Cham., 3341-3349, January 01. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55065-7_1222

Invited Presentations

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. (2017. ) Feline Communication: Let’s Speak the Same Language .Webinar, American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences. Workshop. . Level:International

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. (2017. ) Canine Communication: Let’s Speak the Same Language .Webinar, American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences. Workshop. . Level:International

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R., Hettes, S & Estep, D. (2016. ) Social dominance and nothing in life is free – how useful are they for working with behavior problems in pets? .Webinar, Chat with CAABs (CAABChat. Workshop. . Level:International

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. (08-28-2025. ) Assessing psychological welfare in laboratory dogs and cats (Virtual) .International Connect on Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Virtual Conference, . Conference. . Level:International

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R (08-29-2023. ) The Human/Animal Bond in Laboratory, Veterinary, and Agricultural Facilities. International Conference on Veterinary Science (Virtual),

The Human/Animal Bond in Laboratory, Veterinary, and Agricultural Facilities

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. (01-19-2021. ) Training techniques for our animals: Positive or permissive? .Bartholomew County Public Library, Columbus, Indiana. Level:Local

Training techniques for our animals: Positive or permissive?

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R., Waite, M., Hettes, S & Estep, D. (08-24-2020. ) similarities and differences in behavior modification of prey and predator species .PodCast, Podcast “Chat with CAABs (CAABChat. Professional Meeting. . Level:International

similarities and differences in behavior modification of prey and predator species

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. (04-25-2025. ) Empowering Remote Learning with Hands-On Activities, Personal Instructor Videos, and AI [Virtual] .the Eighteenth International Conference on e-Learning & Innovative Pedagogies, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua City, Taiwan. Level:International

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. & Murphy, K.A (2024. ) Enhancing Study Skills in Diverse Students to Foster Course Success and Mental Health (The PREPARE Model [In-Person .Multiple Nursing and Engineering Courses, University of Cincinnati, and Earlham College. Level:University

Shyan-Norwalt, MR & Murphy, KA (2025. ) Enhancing Study Skills in Diverse Students to Foster Course Success and Mental Health (The PREPARE Model [In-Person .Multiple courses in Nursing and Engineering, University of Cincinnati. Level:University

Poster Presentations

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. & McComas, Kyler (01-12-2017. ) Use of video lectures via lightboard for online courses .University of Cincinnati Center for Enhancement of Teaching and Learning Workshop, Cincinnati, OH. . UC. . Level:University

Shyan-Norwalt, MR & Murphy, KA (11-21-2025. ) Using animal activities (for engagement) across disciplines [ .44th Annual Original Lilly Conference, , Miami University of Ohio, Oxford, OH. . Conference. . Level:International

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. & Bertoia, N. (10-20-2021. ) Reducing barking and stress behaviors for animal shelter dogs through behavioral self-regulation (applications to research facilities) .The 2021 American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences National Conference, Kansas City, MO. . Conference. . Level:International

Shyan-Norwalt, M.R. & Bertoia, N. (08-05-2018. ) Behavioral self-regulation reduces barking and stress for dogs in an animal shelter. The 2018 Animal Behavior Society Conference, Milwaukee, WI. . Conference. . Level:International

Shyan, M. R., Wright, A. A., and Jitsumori, M. (04-20-1990. ) Auditory Same/Different Concept Learning by Two Rhesus Monkeys. 2nd Annual Conference of the American Psychological Society, Dallas, TX. . Conference. . Level:National

Animal Behavior Society (Journal Animal Behaviour, Ethics Review Committee. ) Committee Member Type:Service to Professional Associations Level:International 2012 -2018

Animal Behavior Society (Graduate Student Grant Proposal Reviewer ) Committee Member Type:Service to Professional Associations Level:International 2015 -2016

Journal "Animal Cognition" (NA. ) Peer Review/Referee Type:Editorial Service Level:International

Psychology Department (Travel Committee ) Committee Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2015 -2016

Psychology Department (Distance Learning Committee ) Committee Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2015

Animal Behavior Society (Applied Animal Behavior ) Committee Member Type:Service to Professional Associations Level:International 2018

Department of Psychology (Faculty Mentor for Online Courses ) Other Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2016

1985-1987 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Comparative Cognition, auditory processing and visual processing in primates and humans, UT Health Sciences Center, , Houston, TX

1993: Member, Animal Behavior Society Animal Behavior Society, International

1993: Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Animal Behavior Society, International

1993: Member, Comparative Cognition Society Comparative Cognition Society, International

-PSYC-1001 INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY Level:Undergraduate

-PSYC-1001 INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY Level:Undergraduate

-PSYC-2030 SENSATION & PERCEPT Level:Undergraduate

-PSYC-5057 RES METH: COG PSYCH Level:Undergraduate

-PSYC-2020 COGNITION & LRNING Level:Undergraduate

12-18-2015 -12-21-2015 Human Subjects Training Academic and Regional Health Centers Core Curriculum CITIS online Type:Tutorial

12-18-2015 -BAD DATE Human Subjects Research Core Curriculum. CITIS-- Online Type:Tutorial

12-18-2015 -12-21-2015 Students Research CITIS-- online Type:Tutorial

09-01-2015 -11-01-2015 Sexual Harassment Training UC-HR online Type:Tutorial

09-01-2015 -11-01-2015 Diversity Training UC-HR online Type:Tutorial

12-05-2015 Using "LightBoard" video-lecture system Working one-on-one with Kuyler McComas to record psychology course lectures to be incorporated into online courses, using new Lightboard Technology system, UC-Instructional Design UC-Clermont campus Type:Other

Academic - Edwards Center One
Clifton Court Hall, 3267
Cincinnati  Ohio, 45221
Phone: 513-556-5521 or 317-496-7502
shyannmr@ucmail.uc.edu