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Foundation Team Member Spotlight
Dr. Cynthia Smith, the Foundation's newly named Executive Director and a marine mammal veterinarian, is excited to introduce The National Marine Mammal Foundation to you. Hear about Cynthia's adventures as a marine mammal veterinarian, her experience with the Navy Marine Mammal Program, and how she will help the Foundation become the world's leader in improving lives for both marine mammals and humans.
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Interview with Dr. Cynthia Smith
When did you know you wanted to be a marine mammal veterinarian?
By about age 8, I knew that I wanted to be a veterinarian. But it wasn't until I was in college that I realized I could combine my interest in marine mammals with veterinary medicine.
Where did you do your training?
I started training as a kid on the beaches of Florida and Texas, learning everything I could about marine life. For my formal training, I received a BS in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tufts University. Then I went on to do an aquatic animal internship at the New England Aquarium and a National Research Council associateship with the Navy Marine Mammal Program.
What is one of your most memorable experiences with marine mammals?
During vet school, I volunteered any extra time I could find at the New England Aquarium, shadowing the veterinary and animal care staff. In my first year of vet school, a harbor porpoise stranded on the New England coast and was brought to the aquarium for rehabilitation. I signed up for the overnight volunteer shifts, sometimes spending the whole night in the water just supporting the animal at the surface while it rested. I remember the smell of the salt water, the sound of the animal's breath, and the camaraderie that developed between the volunteers and staff. It was during those overnight shifts that I began to realize that the animals are only half the story when it came to marine mammal science. The other half is the amazing group of people that the field attracts. It has been a privilege to interact with marine mammal behaviorists, scientists, and veterinarians, all of whom continue to inspire me with their dedication and commitment to the care of marine mammals.
As a Foundation team member, how do you support the Navy?
I provide veterinary medicine and management support to the Navy Marine Mammal Program. This year, my clinical focus is the standardization of diagnostic imaging techniques for marine mammals.
As the newly named Executive Director, what excites you most about the
Foundation?
What excites me most is seeing the Foundation's mission and vision energize our staff, and then watching it develop and grow as they make it their own.
What can our readers look forward to in the next year and how can they
get involved?
This year, we are focusing on the development of our education program, particularly through our website as a way to reach out to the global community. With your support, we will be developing programs to engage all age levels in the world of marine mammal science.
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