Micronutrients Focus of Crissey Zoological Nutrition Symposium at NC State University

Micronutrients in zoological medicine is the theme of the 2012 Crissey  Zoological Nutrition Symposium hosted by NC State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine Dec. 7 and 8 on the CVM’s Centennial Biomedical Campus.

The purpose of the symposium, which honors the dedication of Dr. Sue Crissey and her contributions to the discipline of zoological nutrition, is to bring together professional zoological nutritionists, animal researchers,  zoological clinicians, and interested students to communicate advances in the discipline and examine the state-of-the-art approaches to important questions in zoological nutrition.

Dr. Crissey, a resident of Burgaw, North Carolina, was a valued CVM faculty member who had been serving as the Director of Nutrition for the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago at the time of her untimely death from ovarian cancer. Colleagues noted Dr. Crissey was a dynamic lecturer, meticulous researcher, and reliable collaborator whose contributions to the field of zoological nutrition have left a legacy and a model for young zoological nutritionists to emulate.

Dr. Eduardo Valdes, nutritionist for Disney Animal Programs in Orlando, is the

two-day symposium’s keynote speaker who will discuss “Assessment of Vitamin and Mineral Status in Wild Animals” at 6 p.m. on Dec. 7. Dr. Valdes oversees the Disney World Animal Nutrition Center, which prepares the daily diets for the animals in Disney programs, develops new diets, and monitors the efficacy of those diets in addition to conducting basic nutritional research.

An internationally respected comparative nutritionist, Dr.Valdes is a founding member of the Nutrition Advisory Group for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and has served on a committee of the National Academy of Sciences Board on Agriculture and Natural Sciences.

During his career Dr. Valdes has had a particular interest in the development of new diets for captive wildlife, and has worked on nutritional issues of a range of Taxa, from elephant and giraffe to marine reef fishes. He has been active in the development of new dietary components specifically designed for captive zoological species.

The symposium is designed for professional nutritionists who work with zoo animals, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and interested DVM students. Professionals may earn ontinuing education credits by attending the sessions.

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Crissey Zoological Nutrition Symposium registration page.

Register by Thursday, Dec. 6. Symposium fees are $80 for attendees, $55 for speakers, and $30 for students. The fee includes reception, lunch, and a proceedings manual. No refunds will be granted after the symposium has begun.