Moby Solangi, Ph.D., President, Director, and CEO

Dr. Moby Solangi is the President and Executive Director of the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies.  He founded the organization in 1984 to promote marine research, conservation and education.  Dr. Solangi received his Ph.D. in marine biology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1980.  He has conducted pioneering research on dolphins both in the wild and under human care.  His research experience includes work in pathobiology, disease diagnoses and control, aquaculture, water-quality management, marine ecology, and marine mammal behavior, husbandry and veterinary care.  In addition, Dr. Solangi serves as adjunct faculty at multiple universities and accordingly has supervised graduate students conducting research on marine mammals. His professional associations include membership in the International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Society for Marine Mammalogy, and the International Marine Animal Trainers Association.  Dr. Solangi has an extensive list of publications ranging over multiple scientific disciplines.

Samia Ahmad, Vice President and CFO

Ms. Samia Ahmad is the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Institute.  She received her BSBA in Finance with an emphasis in Personal Financial Planning from the University of Southern Mississippi.  Ms. Ahmad has been instrumental in creating an awareness of the Institute and its mission within the local community and with federal, state and local government agencies.  She also assists with the research and application process involved in securing funding and financial support for IMMS and its various programs and projects.  Additionally, Ms. Ahmad serves as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations and in that capacity, she has worked to enhance public knowledge of marine mammals through the creation of educational panels, pamphlets, brochures and the development of an informative website for IMMS.

Delphine (Vanderpool) Shannon, M.D., Consulting Assistant Director of Research

Dr. Delphine Shannon is the Assistant Director of Research for the Institute.  She is a physician by training and received her M.D. from the University of Southern California in 1999.  She also holds a B.S. degree in developmental psychology from Cornell University.  Dr. Shannon began her career in the marine mammal industry by working for the company known as Marine Animal Productions, a former affiliate of IMMS, at two of the Southern California satellite facilities no longer in existence.  There she assisted with animal training at the facilities both before and during her attendance at USC Medical School.  At IMMS, Dr. Shannon is responsible for overseeing research projects and other logistical and administrative activities of the Institute.  She also serves as a co-coordinator of the IMMS stranding team.

Mr. Tim Hoffland is the Director of Animal Care and Training and Live animal rehabilitation for the Institute. He holds a B.S. degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Hoffland has more than 26 years of experience in animal training, and is an expert in techniques of marine mammal care, training, husbandry, transporting and facility design and management. Mr. Hoffland was the Director of Training for Marine Animal Productions from 1996 to 2006, and managed all aspects of staff training and animal care for approximately 50 marine mammals located in Gulfport and around the country. He currently supervises the training staff, all aspects of animal care and the care of all stranded animals. Mr. Hoffland is also involved with several of the IMMS research projects with several published papers to his name.

Luqman Ahmad, Director of Operations

Mr. Luqman Ahmad joined the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in May 2008 as a Project Manager and currently serves as the Director of Operations. He oversees the IT systems, assists senior management in strategic decision-making, procures goods and services, writes contracts, and participates in budget planning and construction audits. He has undergraduate degree in Economics from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario and masters degree in Economics from University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia. In addition, he holds a Financial Risk Manager designation from Global Association of Risk Professionals.  

Theresa Madrigal, Stranding Coordinator for Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles

Ms. Madrigal is currently pursuing a Master’s of Science in Biology at the University of Alabama Birmingham (expected graduation August 2025) and has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA.  She oversees IMMS’ marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation, sea turtle satellite telemetry, sea turtle nesting, and educational outreach programs.  She has over 7 years of experience in sea turtle and dolphin stranding response, nesting, rehabilitation, care, sea turtle and dolphin necropsy, tissue sampling, and research data collection.  She has supervised staff with the rescue and rehabilitative care of over 200 sea turtles and 4 bottlenose dolphins in rehabilitation, 2 of which were young calves.  She additionally assisted with the response, euthanasia, and necropsy of a juvenile sperm whale in Alabama in 2020 and the rescue, transport and release of an out-of-habitat dolphin in Slidell, LA in 2021. 

Debra Moore, D.V.M., Consulting Veterinarian

Dr. Debra Moore is the consulting veterinarian for IMMS. She is a 1987 graduate of Tuskegee University, School of Veterinary Medicine. She studied at the University of Puerto Rico in the graduate department of Marine Science, Woodshole Oceanographic Institute, Aquavet program, the University of Florida’s Aquatic Animal Health Program and has done externships at Sea World of Florida. She also owned and operated her mixed animal practice in Puerto Rico for 21 years where she worked with domestic animals as well as exotic species. She served as the veterinarian for the Caribbean Stranding Network and consulting veterinarian for the Puerto Rico Department of Environmental and Natural Resources for over 15 years attending cases of manatees, cetaceans, and sea turtles in the Caribbean. She is an adjunct professor at Mississippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and enjoys teaching, mentoring students and research. She manages all aspects of health care, necropsies, surgeries, and diagnostics for the dolphins, pygmy killer whales, sea lions, sea turtles, and avian species at the Institute’s veterinary hospital and facility. Dr. Moore has numerous publications and brings her experience, passion, and desire to educate the public about our aquatic resources.

 Michael Anderson, D.V.M., Consulting Veterinarian

Dr. Michael Anderson graduated from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in 1992. He owned and operated Animal Hospital of Orange Grove in Gulfport, MS for 30 years. His experience includes caring for small animals, birds and exotic animals. He has attended many continuing education courses covering avian medicine, aquatic animal medicine and small animal medicine and surgery. He has certifications for Class IV therapeutic laser and autologous stem cell therapy. He has additionally attended multiple classes covering diagnostic ultrasound. In 2000, he assisted the staff veterinarian at Marine Life Oceanarium for 2 years and in 2002 became staff veterinarian for Marine Life for 2 years. Additionally, he served as back-up veterinarian at Marine Life for an additional 2 years. He has attended the national meeting of IAAAM (International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine) and attended multiple continuing education courses covering dolphins, sea lions and water quality.

Kelsi Busboom, Stranding Technician

Ms. Busboom is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife with a focus in Conservation and has over five years of experience in marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, handling, husbandry, rehabilitation, necropsy, tissue sampling, research data collection, and educational outreach.  She has assisted with the rescue and rehabilitative care of over 200 sea turtles, 1 pygmy killer whale, and 4 bottlenose dolphins, including 2 calves. She additionally assisted with the rescue, transport and release of multiple dolphins in LA. She is adept at sample curation and the related stranding governmental correspondence.

Callie Austin, Stranding Technician

Ms. Austin has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and over three years of experience in marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, handling, husbandry, rehabilitation, necropsy, tissue sampling, research data collection, and educational outreach. She has assisted with the rescue and rehabilitative care of over 150 sea turtles and 3 bottlenose dolphins, including 2 calves. She additionally assisted with the rescue, transport and release of multiple dolphins in LA. She is adept at sample curation and the related stranding governmental correspondence.

 Abigail Smith, Stranding Technician

Ms. Smith has a Master’s of Science in Marine Conservation and over three years of experience in marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, handling, husbandry, rehabilitation, necropsy, tissue sampling, research data collection, and educational outreach. She has assisted with the rescue and rehabilitative care of over 100 sea turtles.  She additionally assisted with the rescue, transport and release of multiple dolphins in LA. She is adept at sample curation and the related stranding governmental correspondence.

 Jessica Welsh, Stranding Technician

Ms. Welsh has a Bachelor’s of Science in Marine Science and over one year of experience in marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, handling, husbandry, rehabilitation, necropsy, tissue sampling, research data collection, and educational outreach. She has assisted with the rescue and rehabilitative care of over 100 sea turtles. She is adept at sample curation and the related stranding governmental correspondence.

 Marisa Picou, Veterinary Technician 

Ms. Picou has an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology and 10 months of experience in marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, handling, husbandry, rehabilitation, necropsy, tissue sampling, and research data collection.  She is adept at sample curation and the related stranding governmental correspondence.  Also has over 2 years of experience working as a veterinary technician at general practice veterinary clinics.

 Diane Newbaker, Veterinary Assistant

Ms. Newbaker has over three years of experience at IMMS providing administrative support and help with clinical tasks for the veterinary and stranding departments.  She has additionally assisted with marine mammal and sea turtle necropsies and with the rescue and rehabilitative care of over 150 sea turtles and 3 bottlenose dolphins, including 2 calves.

 Drew Suffoletta, Research Technician

Mr. Suffoletta has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and three years of experience in common bottlenose dolphin photo-ID surveys, behavior identification, data processing, management, and analysis, measuring water quality parameters, science communication and educational outreach. Mr. Suffoletta is the lead author on a paper currently in review concerning common bottlenose dolphin ecology and reproduction and is a supporting author on others also in review. He has also assisted in marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, handling, husbandry, rehabilitation, necropsy, and tissue sampling. He has extensive field experience in working in bivalve aquaculture.

 Jessica Lewis, Research Technician

Ms. Lewis has a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science and three years of experience in common bottlenose dolphin photo-ID surveys, behavior identification, data processing, management, and analysis, measuring water quality parameters, science communication and educational outreach. Ms. Lewis is the lead author on an upcoming manuscript concerning common bottlenose dolphin ecology and is a supporting author on others also in review. She has also assisted in marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, handling, husbandry, rehabilitation, necropsy, and tissue sampling. 

 Kailey Pamperin, Research Technician

Ms. Pamperin has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and three years of experience in common bottlenose dolphin photo-ID surveys, behavior identification, data processing, management, and analysis, measuring water quality parameters, science communication and educational outreach. Ms. Pamperin is the lead author on a paper currently in review concerning common bottlenose dolphin ecology and site fidelity and is a supporting author on others also in review. She has also assisted in marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, handling, husbandry, rehabilitation, necropsy, and tissue sampling. 

 Rachel Giordano, Research Technician

Ms. Giordano has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and three years of experience in common bottlenose dolphin photo-ID surveys, behavior identification, data processing, management, and analysis, measuring water quality parameters, and educational outreach. She has also assisted in marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, handling, husbandry, rehabilitation, necropsy, and tissue sampling. M. Giordano is the lead author on an upcoming manuscript concerning common bottlenose dolphin ecology and movement and is a supporting author on others also in review. She has extensive photo-ID and field experience through the tagging and management of white sharks in Cape Cod, MA. 

Brittany Fowler, Lead Marine Mammal Trainer

Ms. Fowler is a Lead Marine Mammal Trainer at Ocean Adventures.  She has been with IMMS for over 7 years and works directly with the presentation and show resident animals. She majored in psychology at the University of West Florida and began her career training horses and competing in equestrian events. She continued by rescuing and rehabilitating native animal species at the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida. She then completed internships at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and IMMS where she gained experience with resident dolphins, sea lions, parrots, penguins, seals, otters, and assisting with care of stranded animals.

Ellie Johnson, Lead Marine Mammal Trainer

Ms. Johnson is a Lead Marine Mammal Trainer at IMMS. She has been with IMMS for over 5 years and works directly with interactive programs and resident animals.  She has a B.S. degree in Marine Biology with a minor in Environmental Science from the University of Tampa. Ellie completed animal training internships at Mote Marine Lab & Aquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Theater of the Sea. At IMMS her main responsibility is to care for the resident dolphins and sea lions.