Patrick Berry Disney's Animal Programs Zoological Marine Mammal Manager Supervises Marine Mammal - The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot® Professional Interns

"I have been fortunate to gain many varied experiences during my 17 years in the Marine Mammal field. Some of these include research, show presentation, film, open ocean training and field conservation work with dolphins. This type of activity has enabled me to visit, live and work in a variety of locations around the world; examples include the Bahamas, Tahiti and Argentina . I received my bachelor's degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. "

"Here at The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot®, I lead a team of experienced Marine Mammal Trainers that care for our resident dolphins and manatees. We conduct research, interactive, husbandry and presentation behaviors with the dolphins and care for the manatees."

"The primary responsibility of the Marine Mammal - The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot Professional Intern is to assist the Marine Mammal Team in providing the highest level of animal care, proper animal dietary requirements and outstanding Guest presentations. "

Leanne Blinco Disney's Animal Programs Hospital Zoological Manager - Supervises Vet Hospital - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Professional Interns

"I received my bachelor's degree in Zoology from the State University of New York College at Oswego and an associate's degree in Zoo Animal Technology from the Santa Fe Teaching Zoo. I started my career as an Animal Keeper at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida in 1993. I began my Disney career in 1997 as an Animal Keeper at Conservation Station at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. In 1998 I began working as a Hospital Keeper in the Veterinary Services Department at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. "

"In my current role, I supervise the Vet Hospital - Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Professional Interns, coordinate incoming animals into Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and provide support to the Hospital Keeper Team. I have been fortunate enough to be involved in local as well as global conservation initiatives with species including Guam rails, piping plovers and Florida's native wildlife."

Jane Capobianco
Disney's Animal Programs Aquatic Animal Health Manager - Supervises Aquatic Vet Hospital - The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot® Professional Interns

"My career at the Walt Disney World® Resort started in the summer of 1985 as an intern with the Living Seas Marine Mammal Team in the Florida Keys. Shortly thereafter, I began working full-time at The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot® as an Animal Care Technician. "

"After several years, of gaining experience in both animal husbandry and animal behavior, I was promoted to Marine Mammal Behaviorist and eventually to Senior Marine Mammal Behaviorist. I remained a Senior Marine Mammal Behaviorist until I joined Disney's Animal Programs Veterinary Services Team. Since then, I have been working with the Veterinary Services Team as the Aquatic Animal Health Coordinator, and currently as an Aquatic Animal Health Manager. Before coming to Walt Disney World Resort, I was employed as a Certified Medical Assistant, Administrative and Clinical in the field of Human Medicine. "

Courtney Carroll Disney's Animal Programs Manager - Community Education - Supervises Conservation Education - Community Education - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Professional Interns

"I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Miami and my master's degree from Florida International University. My Disney career began in November of 2005 as the manager of the Disney's Animal Programs Community Education Team. This team is responsible for developing and implementing Conservation Education Programs for children who live in the Central Florida community. "

"Currently, our team oversees the Children's Hospital Program at Florida Hospital and Arnold Palmer Hospital (a high school after-school program), and a Conservation Summer Camp program for children entering grades K-7. These programs consist of conservation messaging and interactive experiences that incorporate animals found across property, including Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot® and The Tri-Circle D Ranch. "

Thoram Charanda, Kent Semmen and Kristen Mertens Disney's Animal Programs Chemists - Supervises Chemistry - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Professional Interns

Thoram Charanda
" I graduated from the University of Florida in December of 1989 with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry. I started my work with Disney in June of 1990 in the newly-formed Chemistry Department at The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot®. I took over direct management of the Chemistry Department in 1993. "

"Over the years, my responsibilities have grown from managing the water chemistry of the six million gallon main aquarium of The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion to being responsible for more than 36 fresh and salt water aquatic life support systems across the Walt Disney World® Resort property, with a total water volume of over 11.7 million gallons. "

Kent Semmen
" I received a bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in the spring of 1989. That fall, I started as an Aquarist at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. From 1991-1996, I was the Animal Health and Water Quality Lab Manager. After that, I became the Water Quality Specialist for the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago and worked there until August 2005, when I accepted the role of Chemist for The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot®. "

Kristen Mertens
"I earned my bachelor's degree in Biology and Chemistry from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri in 2001. I worked as a Disney's Animal Programs Chemistry Professional Intern at the Walt Disney World® Resort for a year before becoming a Chemistry Technician for the National Aquarium in Baltimore. I returned to Walt Disney World Resort as a Life Support Operator in October 2003 and accepted the role of Chemist for Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park in 2005. "

Debi Clark Disney's Animal Programs Education Manager - Group Programs - Supervises Conservation Education - The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot® Professional Interns

"I began my Disney career over ten years ago as a Disney's Animal Programs Instructor on the Disney's Animal Programs Group Education Team. Nine months later, I was fortunate to become part of the opening team at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park as a Training Coordinator. Eight years ago, I moved to my current role as Disney's Animal Programs Education Manager at The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot®."

"My team's role is to promote the conservation of marine animals and the marine environment through one-on-one interactions, Discovery Carts and set presentations. My team is also responsible for bringing the conservation message to visiting school groups in a effort to inspire the next generation."

Sue DuBois Disney's Animal Programs Senior Systems Analyst - Supervises Animal Research and Technology - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Professional Interns

"I received a bachelor's degree from University of Texas, a master's degree in Wildlife Science from Texas A&M University and an MBA from National University. I lead the team that supports Information Technology and Database Systems to collect and manage animal information and conservation programs. My team works on a range of projects, providing and supporting new information technologies for documenting the lives of animals. We also staff the Disney's Animal Programs Library and Animal Documentation Lab. "

Susan Feltman Disney's Animal Programs Medical Information Manager - Supervises Veterinary Medical Records - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Professional Interns

"My career with Disney began in 1987 at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Food & Beverage. In 1997, I joined the Opening Team at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and had the good fortune to work in several different departments. Veterinary Services was a quick favorite and I became the Medical Information Manager for that team in 2005. Our Medical Records team is a small group of individuals dedicated to helping wildlife every day by managing information essential to their health and well-being. I sit on the Technical Institute's Health Information Technology Advisory Committee and am a member of the American Health Information Management Association. "

Todd Harmon
Disney's Animal Programs Senior Aquarist - Supervises Aquaculture - The Land Pavilion at Epcot® Professional Interns

"I started my career with Disney in 1993 as a participant in the Disney College Program, as an Aquaculture Intern (now a Professional Internship). I later became a full-time Cast Member in 1997 as an Aquatic Life Support Specialist and was part of the Opening Team for Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. In 1999, I transferred to my current role as Senior Aquarist managing The Land Pavilion at Epcot® Aquaculture Exhibit. In my current role, I oversee the daily activities associated with that facility including animal husbandry as well as Professional Intern mentoring. I am a Certified Fisheries Scientist by the American Fisheries Society. I received my associate's and bachelor's degree from SUNY Cobleskill in Fisheries Science and later my master's degree in Fisheries from Tennessee Tech. University. "

Nadine Kocanjer Disney's Animal Programs Education Manager - Supervises Conservation Education Presenter - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Professional Interns

"I started my career with Disney in 2000 as a College Program participant in Food & Beverage at the Magic Kingdom® Park. My Disney adventure continued when I transferred to Disney's Animal Programs to participate in the six-month Education Presenter Professional Internship. Upon completion of the internship, I had the opportunity to continue on with the Education Team as a Coordinator and then eventually went into the role of Education Manager. I received my bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida. "

"In my current role, I oversee a team of Professional Interns and full-time coordinators who make up the Education Presenter Team. In addition to the in-park operation, I also have the opportunity to share my passion for wildlife conservation through participation in a variety of conservation projects including work in Uganda. "

Dr. Chris Kuhar Disney's Animal Programs Research Manager - Supervises Animal Behavior - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Professional Interns

"I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Akron, my master's degree from Oklahoma State University, and my Ph.D. from Georgia Tech. I am involved in a variety of zoo-based research and serve on several committees of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), including as the Chair of the Gorilla Behavior Advisory Group and the Chair of the Research Coordinators Scientific Advisory Group."

"I lead a team that conducts behavior and animal welfare-related research, primarily focused at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Types of research include studies on social/reproductive behavior, animal cognition, animal welfare and animal visibility assessments. These research projects cover a variety of species."

Kathy Lehnhardt Curator of Guest Experiences - Supervises Conservation Education - Guest Education - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Professional Interns

"Delivering wildlife conservation messages to visitors of all ages has been my career goal for the past 30 years at four major Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos including Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo, the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park since 1997. "

"At Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, there is an unparalleled opportunity to impact a larger audience with wildlife conservation messages. I lead an education team, conduct the interpretive course "Conservation Education: Inspiring our Guests Through Interpretation" for all staff, create young children activities at the six Kids' Discovery Club sites around the theme park, initiate on-going visitor studies projects to measure effectiveness of conservation messages and develop programs/materials for our conservation programs. I serve as the education advisor to AZA's Elephant TAG/SSP Committee and Board member/Web Editor for the International Zoo Educators Association. I received my bachelor's degree in Science at Northeastern Illinois University. "

Dr. Katie Leighty Disney's Animal Programs Wildlife Tracking Center Research Specialist - Supervises Reproductive Biology - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Professional Interns

"I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and both my master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. In addition to my research, I am the Laboratory Manager of Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Wildlife Tracking Center and the Professional Intern Supervisor. The Wildlife Tracking Center is a working laboratory visible to our Guests where they can learn about the science of conservation. "

Stu Levine Disney's Animal Programs Education Manager - Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge - Supervises Conservation Education - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Professional Interns

"After receiving a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Binghamton University in New York, I worked and studied at America 's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College in California where I received additional undergraduate degrees in Wildlife Education as well as Animal Training. For the first ten years of my career, I worked as an Animal Keeper and Educator, raising and caring for a wide variety of animals which were utilized in conservation education programs - in both group outreach programs as well as in-park shows. In addition, I work as a contract author having published a number of books on wildlife for children and young adults. In 2000, I had the opportunity to help design a new Education Team for the upcoming Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and have remained there ever since as the manager of the operation."

Scott Martin
Disney's Animal Programs Zoological Manager for the Aquarium Team - Supervises Marine Biology/Aquarium - The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot® Professional Interns

"I received my bachelor's degree in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. I began my Disney career in 1988 as an Associate Aquarist for The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot®. I co-supervise the Aquarium Team consisting of full-time salaried Aquarists and Professional Interns that oversee the collection of fishes, reptiles and invertebrates in some of the largest aquatic systems in the world. These systems include The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot containing six million gallons of salt water, the one-half million gallon salt water Shark Reef at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and the fresh water aquaculture facility at The Land Pavilion at Epcot. "

"The Aquarium Team is responsible for diving and feeding in the larger exhibits, designing and building state of the art filtration system for the smaller delicate systems and the research, breeding and husbandry of new exhibits including corals, seahorses, jellyfish and cuttlefish. The Aquarium Team works with Veterinary Services, Animal Nutrition Staff, The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion Research, Education, Guest Programs and Life Support Teams to provide our Guests with the most interesting aquatic experience possible. "

Magan Ratte
Disney's Animal Programs Aquarist - The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot® - Supervises Marine Biologist & Aquarium - The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot® Professional Interns

"I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Tampa. I started my career as a Biologist at the Florida Aquarium in 2000. I worked with a variety of species such as birds, mammals, reptiles and fresh and saltwater fish. In 2005, I started at Disney in Disney's Animal Programs for the Aquarium Department at The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot®, where I currently am today. My primary responsibility is the main environment (a six million gallon salt water aquarium), where I am responsible for the feeding and care of the animals living there. I have also spent time on Castaway Cay working with the stingray interaction program for Disney Cruise Line® Guests visiting the island. "

Dr. Andrew Stamper, D.V.M., Dipl. A.C.Z.M.
Research Biologist/Clinical Veterinarian - Supervises Aquatic Vet - The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot® Professional Interns

"I received my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University. My residency at North Carolina State University specialized in Zoo and Aquatic Animals with a focus on Research. My personal interest is Ecological Health. I am currently serving as a member of the Working Group for Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events, Research Chair for the Manatee Rehabilitation Program and am a member of the Manatee Veterinary Group. "

"I facilitate research teams at The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot®, focusing on Aquatic Animal-based research which includes environmental and animal investigations involving water quality, invertebrates, fish (including elasmobranch and teleosts), sea turtles, dolphins and manatees. Topics may include chemistry, physiology, pathophysiology, behavior and cognition. "

Eduardo V. Valdes Disney's Animal Programs Nutritionist at the Animal Nutrition Center - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park - Supervises Animal Nutrition - Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Professional Interns

"I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Chile with a major in Animal Sciences, and my master's and PhD degrees from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada in Animal Nutrition. Presently, I oversee the Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park's Animal Nutrition Center's food preparation and Nutrition Research Laboratory. My duties also include teaching basic applied Zoo Animal Nutrition to Disney's Animal Programs Staff. Before joining Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, I was the Animal Nutrition Center Manager and Nutritionist for the Toronto Zoo in Canada. I work with other zoos to develop healthy diets for the captive populations (e.g., Vancouver Island marmot, black-footed ferrets and the Puerto Rican crested toads). I am a founding member of the Nutrition Advisory Group for the American Zoos and Aquarium and the Comparative Nutrition Society. "

"The Animal Nutrition Center Team prepares and delivers diets for animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot®. We also prepare diets and deliver conservation messages onstage for Guests at the Animal Nutrition Window at Rafiki's Planet Watch® Land at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park."

Kari Van Nevel Disney's Animal Programs Education Manager - Group Programs - Supervises Conservation Education - Group Education - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Professional Interns

"I received my bachelor's degree from Hanover College. I began my Disney career as an Education Program Instructor on Disney's Animal Programs Group Education Team in 2002 and moved into my current position in 2004. Through in-depth student/Guest Conservation Education Programs, the Group Education Team helps create magic for a variety of Guests, staff members and professional peers. "

Leslie Zeigler Disney's Animal Programs Zoological Manager - Animal Nutrition Center - Supervises Animal Nutrition - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Professional Interns

"I started my Disney career in 1998 on the Disney College Program working in Merchandise at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. After receiving my bachelor's degree from Penn State University, I returned to Disney to complete a Disney's Animal Programs Professional Internship at the Animal Nutrition Center. I left the company to complete my master's degree at Cal Poly Pomona and work in the Feed Manufacturing industry. In my current role, I work with a team to deliver uncompromising excellence in animal care through outstanding animal nutrition. "

"The Animal Nutrition Center Team prepares and delivers diets for animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot®. We also prepare diets and deliver conservation messages onstage for Guests at the Animal Nutrition Window at Rafiki's Planet Watch® Land at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park."