Kimberly Boykin
Assistant Professor
Louisiana State University
Uncovering Health Threats and Conservation Needs for Louisiana’s Critically Gopher Tortoise
Dr. Boykin graduated from NC State University prior to completing a rotating internship at Louisiana State University. From there she completed both a Masters and PhD degree at LSU focused on feeder insect husbandry and health. She is currently an Assistant Professor at LSU working with the Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana and continuing her research with feeder insects and reptile health.
Assistant Professor
Louisiana State University
Uncovering Health Threats and Conservation Needs for Louisiana’s Critically Gopher Tortoise
Dr. Boykin graduated from NC State University prior to completing a rotating internship at Louisiana State University. From there she completed both a Masters and PhD degree at LSU focused on feeder insect husbandry and health. She is currently an Assistant Professor at LSU working with the Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana and continuing her research with feeder insects and reptile health.
Megan Bradley
Plasma Protein Electrophoresis in Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) During Rehab
Dr. Megan Bradley is the current veterinary intern with the Turtle Rescue Team and the North
Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences through the North Carolina State University College of
Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology,
Psychology, and Neuroscience from Simpson College in 2018 before receiving her Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 2024. Following graduation, she completed a small
animal rotating internship at the Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota. In her current
role, she works with a wide range of species while also mentoring veterinary students and engaging
the public through educational programming.
Plasma Protein Electrophoresis in Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) During Rehab
Dr. Megan Bradley is the current veterinary intern with the Turtle Rescue Team and the North
Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences through the North Carolina State University College of
Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology,
Psychology, and Neuroscience from Simpson College in 2018 before receiving her Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 2024. Following graduation, she completed a small
animal rotating internship at the Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota. In her current
role, she works with a wide range of species while also mentoring veterinary students and engaging
the public through educational programming.
Joao Brandao
Anticholinergic effects on conscious and sedated Sonoran Desert toad (Incilius alvarius) heart rates
João Brandão, L.M.V., M.S., Dipl. ECZM (Avian), Dipl. ACZM, is a professor of avian, exotic, and
zoological medicine at Colorado State University. He earned his veterinary degree from the
University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in Vila Real, Portugal, and completed internships in
exotic animal and zoological medicine at Great Western Referrals (Swindon, UK), Tufts University
(North Grafton, MA), and the University of Georgia (Athens, GA). Dr. Brandão completed a three-year
zoological medicine residency and a Master of Science in veterinary clinical sciences at Louisiana
State University. He is a diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Avian), the
American College of Zoological Medicine, and an EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Avian
Medicine and Surgery. Prior to joining Colorado State University, Dr. Brandão served for 11 years
at Oklahoma State University, where he held the Debbie and Wayne Bell Professorship in Veterinary
Clinical Sciences.
Anticholinergic effects on conscious and sedated Sonoran Desert toad (Incilius alvarius) heart rates
João Brandão, L.M.V., M.S., Dipl. ECZM (Avian), Dipl. ACZM, is a professor of avian, exotic, and
zoological medicine at Colorado State University. He earned his veterinary degree from the
University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in Vila Real, Portugal, and completed internships in
exotic animal and zoological medicine at Great Western Referrals (Swindon, UK), Tufts University
(North Grafton, MA), and the University of Georgia (Athens, GA). Dr. Brandão completed a three-year
zoological medicine residency and a Master of Science in veterinary clinical sciences at Louisiana
State University. He is a diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Avian), the
American College of Zoological Medicine, and an EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Avian
Medicine and Surgery. Prior to joining Colorado State University, Dr. Brandão served for 11 years
at Oklahoma State University, where he held the Debbie and Wayne Bell Professorship in Veterinary
Clinical Sciences.
Joao Brandao
Associate Professor - Zoological Medicine
Oklahoma State University - College of Veterinary Medicine
Comparison of two methods for analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in turtle plasma
João Brandão, L.M.V., M.S., Dipl. ECZM (Avian), Dipl. ACZM, is a professor of avian, exotic, and
zoological medicine at Colorado State University. He earned his veterinary degree from the
University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in Vila Real, Portugal, and completed internships in
exotic animal and zoological medicine at Great Western Referrals (Swindon, UK), Tufts University
(North Grafton, MA), and the University of Georgia (Athens, GA). Dr. Brandão completed a three-year
zoological medicine residency and a Master of Science in veterinary clinical sciences at Louisiana
State University. He is a diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Avian), the
American College of Zoological Medicine, and an EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Avian
Medicine and Surgery. Prior to joining Colorado State University, Dr. Brandão served for 11 years
at Oklahoma State University, where he held the Debbie and Wayne Bell Professorship in Veterinary
Clinical Sciences.
Associate Professor - Zoological Medicine
Oklahoma State University - College of Veterinary Medicine
Comparison of two methods for analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in turtle plasma
João Brandão, L.M.V., M.S., Dipl. ECZM (Avian), Dipl. ACZM, is a professor of avian, exotic, and
zoological medicine at Colorado State University. He earned his veterinary degree from the
University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in Vila Real, Portugal, and completed internships in
exotic animal and zoological medicine at Great Western Referrals (Swindon, UK), Tufts University
(North Grafton, MA), and the University of Georgia (Athens, GA). Dr. Brandão completed a three-year
zoological medicine residency and a Master of Science in veterinary clinical sciences at Louisiana
State University. He is a diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Avian), the
American College of Zoological Medicine, and an EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Avian
Medicine and Surgery. Prior to joining Colorado State University, Dr. Brandão served for 11 years
at Oklahoma State University, where he held the Debbie and Wayne Bell Professorship in Veterinary
Clinical Sciences.
João Brandão
Professor - Avian, Exotics, and Zoological Medicine
Colorado State University
Plasma levels and pharmacodynamics of IV and OTM methadone in rabbits
João is a professor of Avian, Exotics, and Zoological Medicine at Colorado State University. He has an extensive research background in exotics and zoological medicine.
Professor - Avian, Exotics, and Zoological Medicine
Colorado State University
Plasma levels and pharmacodynamics of IV and OTM methadone in rabbits
João is a professor of Avian, Exotics, and Zoological Medicine at Colorado State University. He has an extensive research background in exotics and zoological medicine.
Heather Brittingham
Optimizing Delegation via Advanced Training Programs for Exotic Animal Veterinary Staff
Heather Brittingham is a certified veterinary technician who has worked in the zoo field at institutions across the country since 2013. In the past year, she transitioned from full-time zoo work to explore other areas of veterinary medicine. She now divides her time among emergency medicine, high-volume spay and neuter, shelter medicine, non-domestic companion animal care, and continues to contribute to zoo medicine. Heather founded Zoo Veterinary Technician Training, a consulting business focused on advancing care for non-domestic patients through specialized training and mentorship for non-domestic veterinary support staff. Heather is always up for a challenge. While working full-time, she completed a master’s degree in conservation biology and became one of only 20 specialists in zoo veterinary technology. Outside her career, Heather and her husband remodel homes and handle much of the work themselves. She also enjoys
paddleboarding and spending time with friends and fur-children.
Optimizing Delegation via Advanced Training Programs for Exotic Animal Veterinary Staff
Heather Brittingham is a certified veterinary technician who has worked in the zoo field at institutions across the country since 2013. In the past year, she transitioned from full-time zoo work to explore other areas of veterinary medicine. She now divides her time among emergency medicine, high-volume spay and neuter, shelter medicine, non-domestic companion animal care, and continues to contribute to zoo medicine. Heather founded Zoo Veterinary Technician Training, a consulting business focused on advancing care for non-domestic patients through specialized training and mentorship for non-domestic veterinary support staff. Heather is always up for a challenge. While working full-time, she completed a master’s degree in conservation biology and became one of only 20 specialists in zoo veterinary technology. Outside her career, Heather and her husband remodel homes and handle much of the work themselves. She also enjoys
paddleboarding and spending time with friends and fur-children.
Christopher Brown
Wild and Captive Eastern Indigo Snakes Differ in Cloacal Microbiomes and C. serpentis Status
Dr. Brown is a clinical veterinarian and instructor in the Department of Comparative Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, where he provides veterinary care and oversight for laboratory animals. Beyond his professional role in laboratory animal medicine, Dr. Brown is a passionate reptile enthusiast. He maintains an extensive private collection featuring a variety of rare colubrids,
boas, and pythons. One of Dr. Brown’s primary goals is to bridge the gap between private herpetoculturists, academic researchers, zoological institutions, veterinary medicine, and the public. He believes that collaboration among these groups is essential for advancing reptile welfare and medicine, promoting responsible captive management, and supporting conservation initiatives to support a more unified community.
Wild and Captive Eastern Indigo Snakes Differ in Cloacal Microbiomes and C. serpentis Status
Dr. Brown is a clinical veterinarian and instructor in the Department of Comparative Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, where he provides veterinary care and oversight for laboratory animals. Beyond his professional role in laboratory animal medicine, Dr. Brown is a passionate reptile enthusiast. He maintains an extensive private collection featuring a variety of rare colubrids,
boas, and pythons. One of Dr. Brown’s primary goals is to bridge the gap between private herpetoculturists, academic researchers, zoological institutions, veterinary medicine, and the public. He believes that collaboration among these groups is essential for advancing reptile welfare and medicine, promoting responsible captive management, and supporting conservation initiatives to support a more unified community.
Kelsey Brust
Surgical Treatment of a Carapacial Osteosarcoma in a Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
Dr. Kelsey Brust is an Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Imaging at UC Davis and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology. She conducts veterinary curriculum teaching and research to advance diagnostic imaging for exotic animals, including reptiles, birds, fish, and small mammals.
Surgical Treatment of a Carapacial Osteosarcoma in a Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
Dr. Kelsey Brust is an Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Imaging at UC Davis and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology. She conducts veterinary curriculum teaching and research to advance diagnostic imaging for exotic animals, including reptiles, birds, fish, and small mammals.
Laura Burns
Injectable Sedation of a Giant Grouper and Diagnosis of Severe Cardiac Fibrocartilaginous Metaplasia
Veterinarian - Zoo resident at UGA
Injectable Sedation of a Giant Grouper and Diagnosis of Severe Cardiac Fibrocartilaginous Metaplasia
Veterinarian - Zoo resident at UGA