We are excited to present an all-star lineup for this year’s Special Species Symposium! All talks will be virtual.

Keynote: Dr. David Kersey
“Giant Panda Reproduction: What We Know and How We Know It”
Date and Time: Sunday 3/21 10:20 -11:20 AM ET
Bio: Dr. David Kersey, earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Science from George Mason University and conducted his dissertation research on the reproductive and adrenal physiology of the giant panda at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. As one of the leading experts in giant panda reproduction, Dr. Kersey worked to improve the breeding and management of giant pandas in captivity and has collaborated with several facilities in China to ensure successful breeding. He is currently an Associate Professor of Physiology and Year 1 Director at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, where he continues his work in conservation via reproductive biology research on other endangered species.

Dr. Frédéric Chatigny
“The Controversy on Fish Pain and Laboratory Animal Medicine”
Date and Time: Saturday 3/20 10:40-11:40 AM EST
Bio: Dr. Frederic Chatigny is a clinical veterinarian at the Université de Sherbrooke. He graduated with a degree in veterinary medicine from the Université de Montréal in 2014 and a master of science in animal welfare from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2017. He is a laboratory veterinarian with an interest in animal welfare and pain management and currently works at Sherbrooke University.

Dr. Martin Gilbert
“Big cats and small dogs: The conundrum of distemper and the Amur tiger”
Date and Time: Saturday 3/20 11:50 AM-12:50 PM ET
Bio: Dr. Martin Gilbert is a Senior Research Associate with the Cornell Wildlife Health Center. He earned his veterinary qualification at University of Glasgow in 1999 and has worked on international conservation projects in countries as diverse as Madagascar, Papua New Guinea and Greenland before joining the Wildlife Conservation Society as their health lead in Asia. After completing his PhD in Comparative Medicine in 2016 he joined Cornell University where he continues his work to address health issues that impact the conservation of threatened carnivores.

Dr. Steve Osofsky
“Special Topic: Wildlife Health in a Rapidly Changing World”
Date and Time: Saturday 3/20 10:40 -11:40 AM ET
Bio: Dr. Steve Osofsky, Jay Hyman Professor of Wildlife Health & Health Policy at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has worn many hats – wildlife veterinarian in Africa, zoo veterinarian, Biodiversity Program Advisor at the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID), overseer of rhino, elephant and tiger conservation programs at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s wildlife health programs around the world. As one of the intellectual catalysts of the One Health as well as Planetary Health concepts, Steve’s focus is on the relationships among wildlife health, domestic animal health, and human health and well-being – all as underpinned by environmental stewardship. Dr. Osofsky (Cornell DVM ’89) sees his recent move into academia as an exciting and urgent opportunity to help train the next generation of One Health professionals.  Steve has recently helped the University launch The Cornell Wildlife Health Center (wildlife.cornell.edu).

Dr. Sarrah Kaye
“Behavior Training of Zoo Animals for Medical Procedures”
Date and Time: Sunday 3/21 8:00-9:00 AM ET
Bio: Sarrah Kaye is the veterinarian and general curator at the Staten Island Zoo. She graduated from Cornell in 2012 and completed a rotating small animal internship at Angell Animal Medical Center and then a zoo and wildlife residency back at Cornell. She gained board certification with ACZM in 2017.

Dr. Andrew Cartoceti, DVM
“Veterinary Pathology at the Smithsonian NZP/SCBI”
Date and Time: Sunday 3/21 9:10-10:10 AM ET
Bio: Dr. Andrew Cartoceti earned his BS from Cornell University in 2005 and his DVM from Cornell University in 2008. He completed his anatomic pathology residency at UC Davis’ Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, as well as the San Diego Zoo Global. Dr. Cartoceti currently works as a veterinary pathologist at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute, where, among other things, he is responsible for necropsy, biopsy and cytology of collection animals and wildlife.

Dr. Forrest Gomez, DVM
“Vaquita CPR”
Date and Time: Sunday 3/21  11:50-12:50 AM ET
Bio: Dr. Gomez is an accomplished marine mammal clinician with 15 years of experience caring for wild and managed marine mammals including cetaceans, pinnipeds and sea otters.
Her expertise has been gained primarily through care of the U.S. Navy’s marine mammals and the application of this knowledge to wild animal populations. Dr. Gomez also has a background in behavior, training and high-profile rehabilitation and release programs through her work as a sea otter aquarist with the Monterey Bay Aquarium. She has experience caring for marine mammals in sea pens, transporting animals globally, field medicine, ultrasound technique development, maternal and neonatal care and wild dolphin health assessments. She currently serves as the Director of Animal Health and Welfare for the National Marine Mammal Foundation, leading a team of veterinary clinicians, technicians and research staff caring for the Navy’s animals. Her focus is on advancing marine mammal medicine through clinical research and high-quality care with the ultimate goal of application to conservation medicine and species survival.

Dr. Sara Sokolik, DVM
“From Ivy League to Private Practice: Adjusting to life as a vet when people can own anything they want.”
Date and Time: Saturday 3/20 9:30-10:30 AM ET
Bio: Dr. Sara Sokolik is an associate veterinarian at Avian and Exotic Animal Care located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Sokolik obtained her DVM and MPH at the University of Minnesota. She was a veterinary intern at the Animal Emergency and Referral Center of Minnesota and a Zoological Medicine Intern at Cornell University.