Staff and Advisory Board

Lubee Bat Conservancy has a minimum core staff that work to maintain our varied programs. We maintain low overhead costs and maximize funds going directly into research, conservation and education programs. Our work is made possible through a network of experts and partners associated with Lubee, including many of the world’s leading bat biologists, conservationists and wildlife veterinarians.

Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees: Roger Haagenson, Sherry Haagenson, Facundo Bacardi

Executive Advisory Council

Prof. Tom Kunz, Boston University, MS.

Prof Paul Racey, Aberdeen University, UK.

Dr Gary McCracken, University of Tennassee, TN.

Dr Darryl Heard DVM, University of Florida, FL.

Wider Scientific Advisory Board

Dr Dr Rodrigo Medellin, UNAM, Mexico

Dr Sharon Swartz, Brown University.

Dr Dee Ann Reeder, Bucknell University.

Dr Ted Fleming, University of Miami.

Dr Betsy Dumont, University of Massachusetts.

Dr Ellen Dierenfeld, Nutritionist

Director

Dr Allyson Walsh
Fruit Bat Conservation Dr Walsh is a conservation biologist with extensive experience developing and implementing science-based conservation programs supporting endangered species conservation. She grew up in England, where she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Biology and Oceanography at University of Southampton, in 1990. She obtained her doctorate in 1995 from the Bristol University (UK), studying the landscape ecology of bats in the United Kingdom. Moving to London in 1995 to work for the Bat Conservation Trust, she directed the development of a nationwide citizen science project, enrolling 1000’s of volunteers in the “UK National Bat Monitoring Program”. In 2001, Allyson moved to Austin, Texas, to assume the position of Science Director for Bat Conservation International. In 2003 she moved to Gainesville, Florida to become the Director of Lubee Bat Conservancy, where she is currently working to expand the conservancy’s research capacity and global conservation activities.

Allyson has spent extensive time in the field, mist-netting and studying bats throughout Europe and the US, and in Brazil, Belize, Australia, Thailand and Madagascar. She is a Courtesy Associate Professor in the University of Florida’s Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department, a professional fellow of the Association of Zoos and aquariums, and serves on the AZA Bat Taxon Advisory Group , AZA Field Conservation Committee, IUCN Species Survival Committee’s Chiroptera Specialist Group and IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group. She has published widely in the field of conservation, her interests lying in endangered species recovery, the cultural, botanical and economic importance of plant-visiting bats, and the interface between conservation science, policy and education.

Allyson's Homepage

Animal and Center Staff

Brian Pope - Curator and Center Manager

Fruit Bat Conservation Brian has a Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University, where he began his career as a keeper at Pittsburgh Zoo. He moved to Lubee as a keeper from 1996-1998, and then on to Disney’s Animal Kingdom as an Animal Programs Keeper, where he remained until recently. Brian has extensive experience with the care of large fruit bats and has published articles on animal husbandry and enrichment.

Tasha King - Team Leader/Keeper III
Fruit Bat Conservation

Amy Booms - Keeper II/Education Assistant
Fruit Bat Conservation

Susan Mulder - Keeper I/Part-Time
Fruit Bat Conservation

Jordan Borstelmann - Keeper II
Fruit Bat Conservation

Michael Krames - Keeper I
Fruit Bat Conservation

Melissa Carlisle - Keeper I
Fruit Bat Conservation

Greg Sommese - Maintenance Leader
Fruit Bat Conservation

Walter Howell - Maintenance Technician
Fruit Bat Conservation