Yvonne van Zeeland - Chair

Tariq Abou-Zahr

Gunther Antonissen (Liaison to LOC)

Daniel Calvo Carrasco

Dan graduated from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in 2010. He completed an exotic animal medicine and zoological medicine internship and residency in avian medicine and surgery at Great Western Referrals (Swindon, UK) and worked there for two additional years after completing his residency. In 2018, he joined the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, where he enjoyed the combination of conservation work with living collection management. From 2020 until recently, Dan was head of the exotic Service at Southfields Veterinary Specialists, a multidisciplinary referral hospital. Since summer 2023, Dan is head of the avian hospital at Mandai Bird Paradise. He enjoys all aspects of exotic, zoo and wildlife medicine, but has a keen interest in orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery in avian and other zoological species.

John Chitty

Graduated from London University 1990. RCVS Certificate in Zoological Medicine 2000. RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine 2015. Until recently practice owner (100% avian/ exotics/ small mammal/ zoo caseload) in Hampshire. Currently providing consultancy and advisory services to vets, zoo collections and Local Authorities. Past Board member of AAV and founding chair of AAV International Committee. Past president of Veterinary Invertebrate Society, EAAV and also of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association. Numerous publications on a variety of species including writing/ editing five textbooks (sixth on the way!). Currently Hon Secretary and trustee of Vetlife.

Tom Dutton (Junior Chair)

Luisa Fischer

Dr. Luisa Fischer (neé Ziegler) graduated at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University Leipzig, Germany in 2012. Between 2012 and 2019 she worked at the Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish at the Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany and successfully finished her doctoral thesis on Mycoplasma spp. in falcons and completed her training as German specialist for birds. She successfully completed a 3-years residency training of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Wildlife Population Health) and earned the EVBS® Specialist status as Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Wildlife Population Health) by examination. Luisa currently works at the Wildlife Research Institute in Bonn, Germany (State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection North Rhine-Westphalia) as head of the department for wildlife diseases.

Cornelia Konicek

Dr. Konicek received her veterinary degree from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria, in 2012, and completed her doctoral thesis there in 2016. After two years at a small animal clinic, she returned to her alma mater, joining the Service for Birds and Reptiles at the Clinic for Small Animal Medicine. From 2018 to 2022, she completed an alternative avian Residency program at the University of Leipzig, Germany, receiving her specialty degree, DipECZM (Avian), in 2023. Throughout her academic journey, she gained international experience through externships in Australia, the USA, UK, Dubai, and Germany. Dr. Konicek currently remains at the Service for Birds and Reptiles, Clinic for Small Animal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria.

Deborah Monks

Jaime Samour

Jaime graduated with honours from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veracruz University, Mexico in 1978, where he became an Associate Professor after briefly working in private practice. In 1981, Jaime moved to London to work at the Institute of Zoology. After receiving his Doctorate degree in Avian Reproductive Biology, he moved to the Middle East to teach and consult on medicine and management of falcons, bustards and wildlife. In 2004, Jaime became recognized as a specialist in avian medicine, and was appointed as Professor of Raptor Medicine at Parma University and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology in London in 2018. For his outstanding contributions to zoological medicine, he received the BVZS-Parke-Davies-Upjohn award in 1998 and the T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year award in 2006.

Peter Sandmeier

Peter Sandmeier graduated from Zürich university in Switzerland in 1988. He has been a diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine since 1999. He is owner and medical director of the small animal and avian practice in Baden-Dättwil, Switzerland.

Brian Speer

Dr. Brian Speer is owner and director of The Medical Center for Birds in Oakley, California. He is certified as an avian specialist through both the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and the European College of Zoological Medicine. Dr. Speer is a VIN consultant and Past President of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, and has received numerous awards, including the 2003 T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year award and 2006 NAVC Speaker of the Year award. He has also authored, edited and co-edited several books on avian medicine, of which Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery is the most recent.

Thomas N. Tully, Jr.

Dr. Thomas N. Tully, Jr. is a Professor of Zoological Medicine in the Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine where he also serves as Service Chief of the Zoological Medicine Service. Tom received his DVM degree in 1986 and MS degree (Epidemiology and Community Health) in 1991, and is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Avian) and European College of Zoological Medicine (Avian). Over the last 30 years, Tom has been active in organized veterinary medicine and amongst others co-edited six books on avian and exotic medicine, was Co-Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine (2005-2018) and currently serves as Scientific Editor for the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery.