Sea Turtle Hospital Staff and Researchers Present at Florida Keys Sea Turtle Workshop

This year staff and researchers of the Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Lab were proud to present at the Florida Keys Sea Turtle Workshop held the first weekend in December. This annual gathering of sea turtle rehabilitators, veterinarians and researchers was a great opportunity to share the team’s work and learn about what other facilities are doing to help save the lives of sea turtles. 

Jessica Farrell, graduate student at the lab, presented “Fibropapillomatosis Tumor Growth Profiling and Viral Shedding in Rehabilitating Chelonia mydas.” David Duffy, courtesy faculty member at the lab, presented “Fibropapillomatosis Genomic Research Overview, Including the Genetic Basis of Internal and Regrowth Tumors.” Liam Whitmore, Ph.D. student at University of Limerick working under David Duffy, presented “The Identification of Predictive Biomarkers for Internal Fibropapillomatosis Tumor Detection and Rehabilitation Outcome by Whole Genome Sequencing of Blood Plasma.” Brooke Burkhalter, hospital veterinarian, presented “Regional Anesthesia: Epidurals.” Devon Rollinson, veterinary technician at the hospital, presented “What Does a Flower, a Dinosaur and a Physicist have in Common? Fibropapillomatosis! 3 Interesting Cases Seen This Year at Whitney Lab.” Rachel Thomas, veterinary care manager at the hospital, presented “Growing Green: Providing Patients with Natural Food Items.”

Pictured from left to right - Liam Whitmore, Jessica Farrell, David Duffy, Brooke Burkhalter, Devon Rollinson and Rachel Thomas