Staff Profile

I am a Robert Little Research Fellow in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University. My current research is centred on improving poultry welfare in mobile and rotational grazing systems by combining animal behaviour science with low-cost automated monitoring technologies.

Before this, I was a Visiting Researcher at Newcastle University, where I led a research project investigating how different forms of environmental enrichment influence laying hen welfare. This work used behavioural tests, infrared thermography, accelerometer-based tracking and computer vision to assess behaviour, stress responses and physiological indicators of welfare.

I completed my PhD in Biology at Moscow State Pedagogical University, where my research focused on environmental optimisation as a way to improve the welfare of mammals in zoos. Prior to joining Newcastle University, I worked for over a decade at Moscow Zoo, where I led research projects on environmental enrichment, animal welfare assessment, uncertainty, novelty and graded welfare indicators. I held visiting researcher roles at Kaliningrad Zoo and San Francisco Zoo. I have also collaborated with researchers at the University of Houston, contributing data analysis and statistical expertise to interdisciplinary publications.

My work combines applied animal welfare science, behavioural research and automated monitoring, including computer vision, accelerometry and infrared thermography. I am particularly interested in developing practical, affordable tools that can help assess and improve animal welfare.

Qualifications

PhD Biology, 2014, Moscow State Pedagogical University

Specialist in Biology, 2009, Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy

Data Scientist training, 2021–2023, including applied projects in data analysis, machine learning and computer vision

• Articles

  • Burenkova Olga V, Shurdova Ekaterina M, Manasevich Victoria, Norkina Marina, Pashkina Polina E., Podturkin Aleksei A., Vodneva Alena, Zhukova Marina A., Grigorenko Elena L. Oxytocin dynamics and synchrony in mother-child dyads: Long-term neuroendocrine effects of maternal institutionalization. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2026, 188, 107853.
  • Podturkin AA, Krebs BL, Watters JV. Quantifying animals' perception of environmental predictability using anticipatory behavior. Zoo Biology 2024, 43(2), 125-135.
  • Burenkova, OV, Dolgorukova, TA, An, Iu, Kustova, TA, Podturkin, AA, Shurdova, EM, Talantseva, OI, Zhukova, MA, Grigorenko, EL. Endogenous oxytocin and human social interactions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin 2023, 149(9-10), 549–579.
  • Podturkin AA, Krebs BL, Watters JV. A Quantitative Approach for Using Anticipatory Behavior as a Graded Welfare Assessment. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 2023, 26(3), 463-477.
  • Podturkin AA. Behavioral Changes of Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) during COVID-19 Zoo Closures and Further Reopening to the Public. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 2022, 3(2), 256-270.
  • Burenkova OV, Podturkin AA, Naumova OY, Hein S, Li N, Cicchetti D, Luthar SS, Grigorenko EL. Neuroendocrine and autonomic stress systems activity in young adults raised by mothers with mental health and substance abuse problems: A prospective cohort study. Developmental Psycobiology 2021, 63(8), e22213.
  • Podturkin AA. In search of the optimal enrichment program for zoo-housed animals. Zoo Biology 2021, 40(6), 527-540.
  • Podturkin, A. Development of an environmental enrichment programme: A case study with a white Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris bengalensis) and a jaguar (Panthera onca) at Moscow Zoo. Journal of Zoo and Aquariums Research (JZAR) 2020, 8(2). In Preparation.