Moby Solangi, Ph.D.

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

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.

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.

Debra Moore, D.V.M.

Dr. Debra Moore is the attending 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.

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

Mr. Luqman Ahmad joined the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in May 2008 as a Project Manager. 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. 

Brittany Caylor

Ms. Brittany Caylor is a Marine Mammal Trainer at the Institute. She has a B.S. degree in Marine Biology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. While obtaining her B.S. degree, she completed the Animal Care internship at IMMS (MS) and the Zoological internship at Discovery Cove (FL). Throughout college and between internships, Ms. Caylor volunteered in the Animal Care department here at IMMS. Her primary responsibility as a trainer is to care for and train the resident dolphins and sea lions. 

Brittany Fowler 

Ms. Brittany Fowler has been a trainer at Ocean Adventures for over 4 years. 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.

Jennifer Pishnyuk

Ms. Jennifer Pishnyuk is a Marine Mammal trainer at IMMS and Ocean Adventures. She has a BS degree in psychology from Hunter College. She has completed several husbandry internships at the New York Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, and even from IMMS as well. Ms. Pishnyuk has worked with a variety of marine mammals such as harbor seals, fur seals, Stellar and California sea lions, Beluga whales and dolphins. She has also studied dolphin behavior in the wild, as well as using enrichment to decrease stereotypical behaviors in California sea otters. At IMMS and OA, Ms. Pishnyuk helps care for the resident dolphins, sea lions and birds.

Ellie Johnson

Ms. Ellie Johnson is a Marine Mammal Trainer at IMMS. 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.