Dr. Moby Solangi

Dr. Moby Solangi is the President and Executive Director of the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies. He founded the organization in 1984. 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 in captivity. 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 has supervised several graduate students conducting research on marine mammals, and he continues this program with IMMS today. His professional associations include membership in the International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine and the International Marine Animal Trainers Association. Dr. Solangi has an extensive list of publications, ranging over multiple scientific disciplines.

Ms. Samia Solangi

Ms. Samia Solangi is the Vice President of the Institute. She 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. Ms. Solangi also assists with the research and application process involved in securing funding and financial support for IMMS and its various programs and projects. Additionally, she 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. Presently, Ms. Solangi is working with the Education Coordinator to augment the educational outreach programs for the public. She received her BSBA in Finance with an emphasis in Personal Financial Planning from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Dr. Delphine Vanderpool

Dr. Delphine Vanderpool 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. Vanderpool began her affiliation with IMMS by working with the sister company, Marine Animal Productions, at two of the Southern California satellite facilities no longer in existence. She assisted with animal training at the facilities both before and during her attendance at USC Medical School . At IMMS, Dr. Vanderpool is responsible for overseeing the 25 plus research projects that are ongoing and for coordinating other logistical and administrative activities of the Institute. She is also involved in several of the research studies, including the study on stranded dolphins in the Mississippi Sound, and serves as the stranding coordinator for IMMS.

Dr. Connie L. Clemons-Chevis

Dr. Connie L. Clemons-Chevis is the Attending Staff Veterinarian for Marine Life Oceanarium and correspondingly manages the veterinary care for all the dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, fish and various avian species at the facility. She received her D.V.M. from Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1986. Dr. Chevis also holds a M.S. degree from the University of Kentucky and a B.S. degree from the University of Montevallo in Alabama . She serves as a consulting veterinarian for IMMS and a central member of the stranding team. In addition, Dr. Chevis is involved with several of the biomedical research studies that the Institute has ongoing with Marine Life Oceanarium and other scientific collaborators.

Dr. Irene Teresa Rodríguez

Dr. Irene Teresa Rodríguez is working as the Project Technician for the genetics study that IMMS is conducting in collaboration with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).  She received her Ph.D. degree in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2005.  Dr. Rodríguez also holds a M.S. degree in Conservation and Management of Natural Resources and a B.S. degree in Biology from two different universities in Mexico.  Her training in molecular biology and her background in conservation and management of natural resources motivated her interest in this project entitled “The Genetic Diversity of Bottlenose Dolphins in the Mississippi Sound and Adjacent Waters.”  Dr. Rodriguez works under the supervision of Dr. Patricia Rosel (NMFS), co-Principal Investigator of this project, at the NOAA facility in Lafayette, LA.

Mr. Tim Hoffland

Mr. Tim Hoffland is the Director of Training at Marine Life Oceanarium. He holds a B.S. degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin . He has more than 15 years of experience in animal training and behavior and is well-versed in techniques of marine mammal training, husbandry and facility management. He supervises the training of both the animals and personnel at Marine Life. In addition, Mr. Hoffland serves as an adjunct staff member of IMMS, providing support as needed and coordinating all activities related to the animals at Marine Life Oceanarium. He also serves as a crucial part of the IMMS stranding team.

Ms. Shannon Huyser

Ms. Shannon Huyser is the Education Coordinator for the Institute. Her career with marine mammals began as a volunteer at several different facilities in Hawaii and Southern California, including a satellite facility for the former Marine Life Oceanarium. Ms. Huyser then acquired a position as marine mammal trainer at Marine Life Oceanarium where she worked for 9 years. In recent years she had served as supervisor of the training department, where she oversaw the training of animals and staff in the techniques of animal husbandry and training. As Education Coordinator, Ms Huyser designs and conducts the IMMS outreach programs for Gulf Coast schools, teaching the students about marine mammals, training, and conservation. Ms. Huyser is also an important member of the IMMS stranding team.

Ms. Emma Jarvis

Ms. Emma Jarvis is a Research Assistant and the Volunteer Supervisor for the Institute. She has a B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Psychology/Biology from Southampton College – Long Island University. She began working with marine mammals as a volunteer at a satellite facility for the former Marine Life Oceanarium. Following graduation, she worked as a marine mammal trainer for Marine Life for 3 years, including one year at the satellite facility on Long Island, NY. As Research Assistant for IMMS, Ms. Jarvis participates in stranding surveys and data collection. She also assists in the educational outreach program and is the newest member of the IMMS stranding team.

Ms. Shea Eaves

Ms. Shea Eaves is a Research Assistant for the Institute.  She holds a B.S. degree in Scientific Inquiry/Biology from the Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State University, and has many years of experience with marine mammals in various capacities.  Ms. Eaves began her career with marine mammals in 1996 as a volunteer with the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network.  She then joined Marine Life Oceanarium in 2001 as a marine mammal trainer and spent 2 years at the Gulfport, MS facility before moving on to represent the company at a satellite facility in New Jersey.  She is excited to be back on the Gulf Coast, and looks forward to the new challenges her job will bring.  As a Research Assistant, Ms. Eaves participates in stranding surveys and research projects, and is a valuable member of the IMMS stranding team.  She also assists the Education Coordinator in conducting the IMMS outreach programs for Gulf Coast schools and the local community. 

Mr. Robert Bushrow

Robert Bushrow is the Security and Operations Assistant for the Institute. Accordingly, he is involved in several key areas of the Institute’s operations, including security surveillance, maintenance, boat operations, and water quality management. He formerly worked in a similar capacity at Marine Life Oceanarium before its destruction in Hurricane Katrina. He has a military background and more than 15 years of experience in security operations, hydraulics and construction engineering. In addition, Mr. Bushrow also serves as an essential member of the IMMS stranding team, assisting with beach surveys for research projects and marine mammal stranding response.

Ms. Marci Romagnoli

Ms. Marci Romagnoli is the Head Trainer at Marine Life Oceanarium and 13 years of experience working with marine mammals. She began her career at two of Marine Life’s satellite facilities located in Southern California . She is responsible for supervising the training of animals and staff in the techniques of animal husbandry, training and show presentation. In addition, Ms. Romagnoli serves as an adjunct staff member of IMMS, providing support as needed and participating in the coordination of all activities related to the animals at Marine Life Oceanarium. She is also a vital member of the IMMS stranding team.