Dr. Allen’s research interests include insectivory and vitamin and mineral metabolism. She is nutrition adviser to several species survival plans and taxon advisory groups for the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. She has served as associate editor of the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, and was one of the scientific editors of Wild Mammals in Captivity and for the Proceedings of the Dr. Scholl Nutrition Conferences. Dr. Allen is a founding member of the Comparative Nutrition Society and is an Adjunct Professor of Animal Science and Nutrition at the University of Maryland. She received her PhD in animal science and comparative nutrition from Michigan State University. She serves on the Committee on Animal Nutrition of the National Research Council. Dr. Allen also is a member of the American Society of Nutritional Sciences and Sigma Xi.