Emily Trunnell

Atlanta native Dr. Emily Trunnell attended the University of Georgia in Athens for both her undergraduate degree in nutrition science and her doctoral degree in neuroscience. In 2016, immediately after finishing her doctoral research-which involved the use of mice and rats-she went to work for PETA as a research associate and institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) liaison. IACUCs are oversight bodies charged with ensuring that each institution that uses animals complies with the Animal Welfare Act, the only federal law in the U.S. providing some animals used in experimentation with minimal protections. Emily works to foster positive relationships between IACUCs, which are the last line of defense for animals used in this way, and PETA. She also works with legislators, government agencies, and corporations on policy issues regarding the use of animals in experimentation; liaises with editors of scientific journals to prevent the publication of papers on the most scientifically flawed and cruel experiments; and provides scientific background for some of PETA's eyewitness laboratory investigations. When she's not advocating for animals in laboratories, Emily enjoys hiking, cooking, and spending time with her family. In 2018, she helped organize the first all-vegan event in Knoxville, Tennessee: the Scruffy City Vegan Fest. Emily bears no ill feelings toward any of her University of Georgia mentors or colleagues. She understands that the problems with animal experimentation are systemic-that they're inherent in the value system of academia-and that no one person or university is any more to blame than the next. By speaking out, she hopes to help other trainees and young investigators have the courage to be the "squeaky wheels" who change the system for the better.