EXECUTIVE MASTER IN EXOTIC ZOO AND WILD ANIMAL

Dr. Vittorio Capello graduated in 1989 from the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Milano, Italy. He has practiced exotic animal medicine exclusively since 1996, and provides professional services for two veterinary clinics in Milano. Dr. Capello's focus is the medicine and surgery of exotic companion mammals. Dr. Capello has lectured, published and taught exotic animal courses and practical laboratories throughout Italy, US, and other parts of the world. He is author of the Rabbit and Rodent Dentistry Handbook and the Clinical Radiology of Exotic Companion Mammals and has both written and served as guest editor for numerous publications. He served as board member and president elect for the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV). Dr. Capello is a founding Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Small Mammal), and Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Exotic Companion Mammals). He has been the recipient of the Oxbow award in 2010.

Norin graduated from the Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, in 1994. In 1995, he completed two Master of Science, one in «Tropical animal pathology» and one in “Tropical Animal Production”. In 1996, he finished his doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine on “Ecology and Ethology of the Leopard (Panthera pardus)”. Meanwhile, he started his career with the position of director of the National Park of Manda (Chad) from 1995 to 1996. In 1997, he entered the National Museum of Natural History (France) as a research Engineer and as the deputy director of the Parc de la Haute Touche (zoological park in center of France). In 2000, he moved back to Paris as a field vet in the Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes. In 2008, he was awarded his second doctoral degree (PhD) on Amphibian medicine. In 2013 he became a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine in Zoo Health Management. From 2005 until September 2020, he had been the head veterinarian and the deputy director of the Ménagerie. He quite his position in October 2020 to follow his own personal projects. Norin is the founder and president of Yaboumba, a NGO working in Conservation and humanitarian projects. He is regularly asked for expertise on wildlife medical cases and conservation projects around the world. He has published numerous articles in veterinary journals, national magazines, and given more than hundred lectures in national and international congresses. He has recently build with his NGO a wildlife rescue center in Sumatra.

Si laurea con Lode a Napoli nel 2003. Successivamente consegue il Diploma di Master Universitario in “Conservazione della Fauna”, il Diploma di Specializzazione in Patologia Aviare, Coniglio e Selvaggina ed il Dottorato di Ricerca in Biologia, Patologia ed Igiene Ambientale in Medicina Veterinaria. Nel 2014 consegue il Diploma dell'European College of Zoological Medicine e con esso, il titolo di Specialista Europeo nella Medicina dei Piccoli Mammiferi da Compagnia. Ha frequentato e lavorato presso diverse cliniche ed Università in Kuwait, Regno Unito ed USA. Relatore a corsi e congressi nazionali ed internazionali, autore di oltre 50 pubblicazioni scientifiche. Professore a contratto presso le Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria di Napoli, Parma e Bologna. Lavora esclusivamente come referente per la Medicina e Chirurgia degli Animali Esotici presso diverse strutture private in Campania.

Nicola Di Girolamo is an associate professor of Exotic Pet Medicine at Cornell University. Before moving to the United States, Nicola was employed as a veterinary specialist in Hong Kong and as a resident in Rome, Italy. He completed a PhD at the University of Bologna and a master of science in evidence-based healthcare at the University of Oxford. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Small Animal Practice and of the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine. Nicola is board-certified from the American College of Zoological Medicine, the European College of Zoological Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.

Thomas M. Donnelly received degrees in veterinary medicine and pathology from the University of Sydney, Australia, and then moved to The Rockefeller University, New York, to study comparative medicine and pathology, becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. Besides providing biomedical research services to universities and pharmaceutical companies, Tom also enjoys seeing exotic pets and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and the European College of Zoological Medicine. He was a member of the Avian & Exotic Pet Services at Animal Medical Center in New York and has an Adjunct Faculty appointment at Tufts Veterinary School in Massachusetts in the Zoological Companion Animal Medicine service. Tom is currently working at the French National Veterinary School of Alfort, where he is a research professor and co-service head of the Exotic Animal Service. He is a consultant on the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) and is the author of over 200 scientific and clinical publications, including chapters in “Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine Surgery” and is the co-editor of “Veterinary Clinical Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets.” Tom is allergic to most mammals. Although his veterinary medicine career and allergies collide, he is fortunate in finding the challenges and diversity of working with researchers, exotic pets and their often equally unusual owners constantly gratifying.

Minh Huynh is the head of exotic department at Fregis hospital center (a referral practice in the south of Paris) and part time consultant at the National Vetschool. He did his residency at Great Western Referrals in England under the supervision of Neil Forbes. He is boarded from the European college of zoological medicine in avian subspecialty since 2014 and currently supervising the first avian residency in France. He is also boarded from the American college of zoological medicine since 2017 through experential path.

Dr. Joerg Mayer grew up in Germany where he received his primary education. He went to Budapest / Hungary to study veterinary medicine shortly after the “iron curtain” fell. During his studies he was fortunate to be able to work with veterinarians in South Africa and Namibia for 6 months. He always had a strong interest in exotic animal medicine. After he received his doctoral degree from the University of Budapest/Hungary, he went to the USA for an internship in ‘Zoological Medicine and Surgery’ at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI. At the end of the internship he was part of a research team to study wild tree kangaroos in the rainforest of Papua New Guinea for 3 months. After this exciting experience, he went to the Royal veterinary College in London / England to study for his Masters of Science degree in wild animal health. The masters project which focused on lead toxicity in the common loon, brought him to the Tufts Wildlife Clinic in the USA. There he was hired to serve as a clinical associate professor and as the head of the clinical service for exotic animals. After 10 years at Tufts University he moved to Athens, Georgia in 2010. He currently is a Full Professor in Zoological Medicine at UGA. He lectures regularly at large national and international conferences on all aspects of exotic animal medicine including Honey Bee Medicine. Dr. Mayer qualified with the first batch of specialists in Exotic Companion Mammals as a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, in addition he is also a Diplomate of the American and the European College of Zoological Medicine. He served as the president of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians from 2010-2012. Since 2012 he is also an International Fulbright Specialist in Zoological Medicine. Dr. Mayer published many scientific articles, book chapters some of which have been translated into French, Spanish and Portuguese. His latest book the “Veterinary Clinical advisor for birds and exotic pets” was published in early 2013 and contains over 750 page. In 2013 he received the exotic speaker of the year award by the NAVC. In 2016 he received the Oxbow/AEMV Exotic Mammal Health Award, an annual award to recognize excellence and innovation in the field of exotic mammal health.

Endre graduated at the University of Veterinary Science in Budapest in 1995 and immediately started as a zoo veterinarian in the same year at the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, where he is currently the Director of Veterinary Services and Conservation. Together with his team they are the official veterinarians in numerous current and former Life Plus conservation programs, dealing with the Hungarian meadow viper, Imperial Eagle and endangered rodents of Hungary. He is also involved in the conservation medicine of other high profile species, such as the Przewalski’s horse, Eurasian otter and the Eurasian beaver. He is one of the vet advisors in the Elephant TAG, Przewalski’s horse EEP and Red panda EEP. Currently, he is the President of the EAZWV (European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians) and the Vice-Chairman of the Hungarian Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV Hungarian Section). He owns a DESMAN (Diploma on Endangered Species Management, issued by the University of Canterbury, Kent and completed in Durrell Wildlife Preservation Trust), and has the titles of a Hungarian Specialist in Companion Animal Medicine and a Hungarian Specialist in Exotic Animal Medicine. He completed his PhD in Great Bustard medicine and became a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Zoo Health Management) in 2012. Aside from his veterinary tasks, Endre is actively involved in zoological decisions and management at the Budapest Zoo since 2000, he is the official mentor of Belgrade Zoo, Serbia and Sibiu Zoo, Romania. He is also actively involved in teaching at the University of Veterinary Science, Budapest, where he is a Honorary Assistant Professor.

Dr Lionel Schilliger graduated from the french National Veterinary School of Nantes (Oniris) in 1989 and has been working with dogs, cats and reptiles ever since. He certified in canine and feline nutrition in 1992 (E.N.V.A), in clinical hematology and biochemistry of small companion animals in 1998 (E.N.V.T), and in canine and feline internal medicine in 2011 (Vet Agro Sup). He is a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (ECZM - Herpetology) and a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP - Reptile and Amphibian Practice). He is also a representative member of his country in the International Committee of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV). Lionel Schilliger works as a private practitioner in Paris and at the National Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort.

Nico Schoemaker (DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECZM Small mammal & Avian) graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University in 1994. This was directly followed by an internship in companion animal medicine, residency in avian medicine and PhD on hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets. Aside from the recognition as a European specialist in Small mammal medicine, Nico also holds a European diploma in Avian Medicine, and is recognized as an avian specialist in the USA. Nico is currently employed at the Division of Zoological Medicine in Utrecht, where he devotes his time to teaching, research and patient care of small mammals and birds.

Paolo Selleri is a diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Small Mammal and Herpetology) and is the head of the Clinica per Animali Esotici, an exotic-only animal hospital site in Rome. Paolo frequented world-class veterinary structures, courses and conferences. After completion of his PhD thesis on reptile renal diseases, Paolo worked as a clinical professor in the Universities of Padua, Naples and Teramo, transmitting his passion for herpetological medicine to undergraduate students. Beyond daily clinical activity, Paolo strongly supported the application of evidence-based standards for exotic animal medicine in Italy: he is the past-president of the Italian society for exotic animals, and is coauthor of several books and papers.

Yvonne van Zeeland (DVM, MVR, PhD, Dipl. ECZM Small mammal & Avian) graduated with merit from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University in 2004. Having worked briefly in private practice, she returned to Utrecht in 2005 to complete an internship in companion animal medicine, residency in avian medicine and PhD on feather damaging behavior in grey parrots. Aside from her recognition as a European specialist in Avian Medicine, Yvonne became de facto recognized in Small mammal medicine, and certified as a parrot behavior consultant. Yvonne is currently employed at the Division of Zoological Medicine in Utrecht, where she devotes her time to teaching, research and patient care of birds and small mammals. She furthermore contributes actively to the international development and advancement of avian and exotic animal medicine through lectures, publications and membership of various professional organizations and committees, including serving as AAV's President for 2018-19.

Dr. Morena Graf-Wernick received her veterinary degree from the Ludwigs-Maximilian-University Munich, Germany, in 2006. She completed a 15 months rotating Small Animal Medicine Internship at the University of Bern, Switzerland in 2008 and was awarded a doctoral degree from the University of Bern, Switzerland in 2009. She completed a Residency in Avian Medicine and Surgery at University of Zurich, Switzerland, in 2012 and became a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine in Avian Medicine in 2013. Since then, Morena is Head of the Avian and Exotic Pet Departement at Ennetseeklinik für Kleintiere, Hünenberg, Switzerland. In 2014, she founded her own company ExoticVet GmbH and offers continuing education programs for vetstudents and private veterinarians. She is speaker at national and international conferences on Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine. Her current research areas include exotic pet emergency and critical care, exotic pet anesthesia and exotic pet neurology.