Veterinarian

Dr. Lucy Spelman is a veterinarian who works part time as a scientific advisor for Discovery Communications, Inc. in Silver Spring, MD. She also teaches, writes, and consults as a zoo and wildlife veterinarian. Lucy is an expert on the medical care of a wide variety of animals, from small birds to giant pandas, giant otters, and elephants. She is committed to wildlife conservation and the health of the environment.

Career Path: Lucy earned a bachelor’s in biology from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of California at Davis. After her postdoctoral training at North Carolina State University, she earned her board certification in zoological medicine. Lucy began her 10-year career at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC as staff veterinarian and continued on as its director. She is now interested in the many connections between animal, human, and habitat health. In her words “We’re all in this together.”