Our Team

Our Team

Taronga's Science and Conservation Teams

The scientists of Taronga weave existing knowledge and new data together to capture the state of our environment, foresee threats, test theories and ultimately determine the most effective conservation actions we can take.

From observing individual animals to studying whole species, habitats and ecosystems, Taronga’s scientists and wildlife managers make pioneering discoveries each and every day.

Science and Conservation

Justine O'Brien

BScAgr (Hons), PhD

Manager of Conservation Science 

Mrs Bronwyn Palmer

 BMSc, MMaScMg

Assistant Behavioural Biologist 

Michelle Shaw

BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD (c)

Manager, Wildlife Nutrition 

Dr Jo Day

BMarSc (Hons), PhD

Conservation Biologist

Ms Wendy Simpson

BEnvMgt (Hons SusDev)

Natural Capital Specialist 

Gillian Devaney

BSc (BioMed)

Wildlife Health Assistant 

Dr Heather Fenton

DVM, MVSc, DACVP, DACVPM

Wildlife Pathologist 

Dr Joy Tripovich

BSc, Grad. Dip. (Bio Sci), PhD

Behavioural Biologist 

Ms Leanne Pridham

MEnv

Wildlife Conservation Officer 

Mr Michael McFadden

BSc (Hons), PhD Candidate

Wildlife Conservation Officer 

Jane Hall

BSc, GDSc (Biomed), CF, PhD Candidate

Wildlife Health Project Officer 

Paul Thompson

BMedSc, MSc

Senior Laboratory Technical Officer 

Ms Rachael Schildkraut

BSc, MSc

Wildlife Conservation Officer 

Dr Monique Van Sluys

BSc, MSc, PhD, Cert IV Training and Assessment

Manager of Conservation, Recovery and Restoration Programs 

Ms Abbey Whitelock

BSc/BAdvStudies (Hons)

Research and Conservation Officer, Guest Experience Officer 

Dr Tahneal Hawke

BSc (Hons), PhD

Joint Conservation Biologist 

David Slip

BSc, MSc, PhD

Research Biologist 

Neil Jordan

BSc, MSc, PhD

Joint Conservation Biologist 

Dr Ben Pitcher

BScAgr (Hons), PhD

Behavioural Biologist 

Ms Margaret Hawkins

BSc (Hons)

Behavioural Biologist Emeritus 

Ms Nicole Dobson

Registry Administrative Assistant 

Dr Jon Daly

BSc, PhD

Conservation Biologist 

Mr Nick Boyle

BSc, LLB

Director, Taronga Zoo 

Mr Andrew Elphinstone

BSc (Env), MEnv

Director of Welfare, Conservation and Science 

Ms Claire Ford

BSc

Manager of Population Development and Welfare 

Dr Phoebe Meagher

BEnvSc (Hons), PhD

Wildlife Conservation Officer 

Mr Chris Ewing

Manager of Restoration Programs 

 

Veterinary Staff

Dr Larry Vogelnest

BVSc (Hons), MVetStud (Wild Med Husb), MANZCVS (Zoo Medicine), PSM

Senior Veterinarian (Taronga Zoo Sydney and New South Wales Sentinel Koala Population Monitoring Program) 

Dr Karrie Rose

DVM, DVSc

Veterinary Pathology Registrar 

Dr Benn Bryant

BVSc, MVS, MANZCVSc

Senior Veterinarian 

Dr Frances Hulst

BVSc (Hons), MVS (Wildlife Medicine and Husbandry)

Veterinary Officer 

Dr Michelle Campbell

BSc, BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS, DZooMed, MRCVS

Veterinary Officer 

Lydia Tong

MA VetMB

Veterinary Pathologist 

Ms Libby Hall

Manager of Taronga Wildlife Hospital Sydney 

Ms Natalie Miller

Dip Biological Techniques

Laboratory Technical Officer