Rebecca Rivera

Rebecca Rivera has extensive experience in animal health, education, and research. Currently serving as the Animal Health and Rescue Center Manager at SeaWorld San Diego since May 2017, Rebecca also works part-time as an After School Program Instructor with Mad Science of San Diego, engaging elementary students in hands-on science experiments. Previous roles include instructing biology for Latin American high school teachers and students at the University of California, San Diego's Institute of the Americas, as well as a National Research Council Postdoctoral Associate at the Navy Marine Mammal Program, focusing on ocean-borne pathogen biosurveillance. Additional research experience spans various positions at the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, UC Davis, and other institutions, culminating in a Ph.D. in Comparative Pathology from UC Davis. Academic qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez and a postdoctoral fellowship in Biosurveillance.