Lisa Stevens is a graduate of Michigan State University, with a BS in Zoology. Lisa went on to work for the next 34 years at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, starting as a carnivore and pinniped keeper, and finishing her career as a curator of primates and giant pandas. As a curator, Lisa worked with a team of animal keepers, nutritionists, veterinarians, researchers, and educators, to ensure the highest standards of care for the collection. Her special interests included environmental enrichment, husbandry, and medical management training.

Lisa was part of the team which developed the award-winning Think Tank and O-line exhibits, an innovative first-of-its-kind exhibit on animal cognition, which also permits the zoo’s orangutans to travel between 2 buildings to participate in, on-exhibit, research data collection activities. Lisa lead the giant panda program to accomplish the first successful birth, of a surviving panda cub and served as a media spokesperson.

In addition to animal management, Lisa’s background includes team supervision, facilities management, exhibit design, and renovation, as well as the planning and oversight of all education and research programs related to animal collection.

Lisa is also co-founder of Beads for Education, a 501c3 focused on girls’ education in Kenya.  I am excited to join the advisory board to help support medical innovation and its potential application to the medical management of zoo and domestic animals.