About
Dr. Sharon Deem's Professional Experience
January 2011-present
Director, Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis, Missouri
January 2012-present
Adjunct Associate Professor, Veterinary College and MPH Program University of Missouri – Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
September 2007-present
Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Missouri – Saint Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri
May 2000-present
Veterinarian and Advisory Board Member, Volunteers for Wildlife, Inc., Huntington, New York
WORK EXPERIENCE (2010 TO 1988)
2007- 2010
Veterinary Epidemiologist/Galápagos, WildCare Institute, Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis, Missouri
2005-2007
Research Veterinarian, Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C., Gabon, Central Africa
2006-2007
Regional Conservation Coordinator - Africa, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland, Ohio, Gabon, Central Africa
2002-2005
Veterinary Medical Officer, Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park,, Washington, D.C.
2000-2004
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Columbia University, New York, New York
1998-2002
Field Veterinarian, Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo, Bronx, New York
1997-1998
Clinical Veterinarian, Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo, Bronx, New York
1994-1997
Resident in the Wildlife and Zoological Medicine Service, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
1990-1994
Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Infectious Diseases
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Harare, Zimbabwe,
1991
Part-time Veterinarian, High Springs Animal Hospital, High Springs, Florida,
1991
Part-time Veterinarian, Shores Animal Hospital, Gainesville, Florida,
1989-1990
Associate Veterinarian, WNC Veterinary Clinic, Arden, North Carolina
1990
Rehabilitation Volunteer, WNC Nature Center, Asheville, North Carolina
1988-1989
Associate Veterinarian, Saint Charles Animal Hospital, Waldorf, Maryland
PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS (2016)
Veterinary Advisor Jaguar Species Survival Plan
Member, Wildlife Health Specialist Group IUCN
Associate Editor, Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
President, American College of Zoological Medicine
Co-Chair, Association of Zoos and Aquariums Animal Health Committee
PROFESSIONAL HONORS AND PAST POSITIONS
2013-2015
Vice-President, American College of Zoological Medicine
2011-2013
Secretary, American College of Zoological Medicine
2002-2005
National Ecological Observatory Network, Inc., Member of Disease Ecology Subcommittee
2004-2007
Animal Health Committee of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association
2004
Attending Veterinarian, IACUC, Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park
2003-2006
Chair, Infectious Disease Committee, American Association of Zoological Veterinarians
2000-2003
Co-Chair, Infectious Disease Committee, American Association of Zoological Veterinarians
2001-2004
Sub-committee chair of the American College of Zoological Medicine Examination Committee, Wildlife Section
1999-2004 ‘
American College of Zoological Medicine, Examination Committee
1995
Fourth Annual Resident Seminar Award
1991-1994
Howard Hughes Pre-doctoral Fellow
1988
Outstanding Veterinary Senior Award
1988
The Upjohn Award for Proficiency in Large Animal Medicine
1987
Secretary of VMRCVM, Class of 1988
1987-present
Phi-Zeta Veterinary Honorary Society
FELLOWSHIPS/GRANTS (58 awarded for total of $2,069,974)
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Conservation Program
$10,000 awarded to da Silva, S.K.S.M., Palmer, J.L., Catenacci, L., Apakupakul, K., Lammering, K., and Deem, S.L. “Capacity Building in One Health: Sharing environmental education techniques and advanced training in One Health/conservation medicine.” 10/05/2022-10/04/2023.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Conservation Program
$9,995 awarded to Donovan, E., Deem, S.L., Russello, M., Blake, S., and Bastille-Rousseau, G. “International capacity building of next-generation conservationists as part of the paternity and male reproductive success of Galápagos giant tortoises project.” 10/05/2022-10/04/2023.
Washington University St. Louis - Living Earth Collaborative
$29,992 awarded to Shacham, E., Deem, S.L., and Miller, A. “Ecological Niche Modeling to examine the interactions between climate-related environmental change, food security, landscape diversity and an emerging infectious disease.” 09/01/2022-12/31/2023.
Institute for Museums and Libraries
$178,618.00 awarded to Deem, S.L., Lammering, K., and Ziegler, K. “One Health Education Now for Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders.” 09/01/2022-08/31/2025.
Washington University St. Louis - Living Earth Collaborative
$29,592 awarded to Ling, F., Brenn-White, M, Apakupakul, K., and Deem, S.L. “Expanding the toolset for chelonian conservation: Understanding the diversity, distribution and dynamics of Terrapene microbiomes.” 05/16/2021-05/15/2022.
Washington University St. Louis - Living Earth Collaborative
$33,923 awarded to Sanz, C., Deem, S.L., Fischer P., Brenn-White, M., Hellmuth, H., Leendertz, F., Patrono, L., Mayoukou, W., and Morgan, D. “Using iDNA to Increase the Protected Status of the Djeke Triangle and Enhance Disease Surveillance in the Congo Basin.” 03/30/2020-03/29/2021.
Washington University St. Louis - Living Earth Collaborative
$30,000 awarded to Dell, A., Blake, S., Braude, S., Deem, S.L., Winkler, D., Witt, A., and Knouft, J. “Going Wild in Forest Park Tracking the movement of biodiversity in an urban food web.” 03/30/2020-03/29/2021.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Research for Conservation Program
$9,925 awarded to Brenn-White, M., Deem, S., Rakotoarisoa, N.A.T., and Palmer, J. Establishing hematology and biochemistry reference ranges to improve treatment, rehabilitation, and reintroduction of confiscated radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata). 10/24/2019-10/23/2020.
Washington University St. Louis - Living Earth Collaborative
$30,000 awarded to Milich, K., Lesorogol, C., and Deem, S. “Reducing Human-Wildlife Conflict in East Africa Using Participatory Action Research.” 03/30/2019-03/29/2020.
American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Wild Animal Health Fund
$10,000 awarded to Deem, S.L., Nieto Claudin, A., and Apakupakul, K. “Assessing the Health of the critically endangered Eastern Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis donfasutoi).” 05/01/2019-04/30/2020.
Microsoft AI for Earth Grant
$14,230 awarded to Leard, S., Sagan, V., Deem, S., Brenn-White, M., Paheding, S., and Apakupakul, K. “Connected conservation and applied remote sensing for One Health at the intelligent edge in Kenya and Madagascar.” 11/10/2018-11/09/2019.
Conservation Grants Fund - Association of Zoos and Aquariums
$18,536 awarded to Augustine, L., Torregrosa, K., Deem, S., Miller, K. “Collaborating to Improve Conservation Efforts for the Critically Endangered Cuban Crocodile.” 09/01/2018-08/31/2019.
Washington University St. Louis - Living Earth Collaborative
$30,000 awarded to Koltz, A., Deem, S. L., Ezenwa, V.O., Penczykowski, R. “Quantifying Effects of Parasites on Ecosystem Nutrient Cycling.” 03/30/2018-03/29/2019.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Conservation Program
$9,983 awarded to Zimmerman, D., Févre, E., Gluecks, I., Tobin, K. and Deem, S.L. “Protecting Kenya’s Wildlife Through Capacity Building and Biosecurity Training.” 04/30/2018-04/29/2019.
American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Wild Animal Health Fund
$10,000 awarded to Bronson, E., Colchao, P., Deem, S., and Venegas, C. “Health Status and Welfare in Translocated Bolivian River Dolphins (Inia boliviensis) Experiencing High Anthropogenic Disturbances.” 05/01/2018-04/30/2018.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Research for Conservation Program
$10,000 awarded to Nieto Claudin, A, Deem, S.L., Palmer, J., Apakupakul, K. and Esperón Fajardo, F. “Assessing the health of endangered free-living Galapagos tortoise species occurring in human-modified landscapes and protected areas.” 04/30/2018-04/30/2019.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Research for Conservation Program
$5,000 awarded to Hassells, J., Murray, S., Fèvre, E., Zimmerman, D., Deem, S.L., Ogada, D., Murn, C., and Njenga, K. “Exposure of vultures to anthrax in Kenya, and their role as sentinels for a lethal bacterial zoonosis in endangered wildlife, livestock and humans.” 12/31/17-12/30/18.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo – Scott Neotropical Fund
$4,980 awarded to Nieto Claudin, A., Deem, S.L., and Esperón Fajardo, F. “The endangered Galapagos giant tortoise: assessing their health and the potential impact of humans and livestock on their wellbeing.” 11/01/17-10/31/17.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Research for Conservation Program
$10,000 awarded to Catenacci, L.S., Deem, S.L., Travassos da Rosa, E.S., Vasconcellos, P.F., Alcântara, B.N., Osório, D.B. “Zika virus, chikungunya, dengue and yellow-fever virus: are they real threats for wild animals in the Americas?” 05/01/17-04/30/18.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Research for Conservation Program
$ 3,610 awarded to Novak, L., Deem, S.L., Allender, M., and Palmer, J. “Comparison of Leukocyte Quantification Methods in Free-Living Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) and Three-toed Box Turtles (Terrapene Carolina triungus) both before and after transportation and handling”. 12/01/16-12/01/17.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Conservation Program
$9,998 awarded to Deem, SL, Macek, M., and Colchao P. “Field Veterinary Capacity Building for Punta San Juan, Peru.” 11/05/16-11/05/17.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Conservation Program
$10,000 awarded to Catenacci, L., Deem, S.L., Travassos, E.S., Vasconcellos, P.F., and Vianez, João. “A One Health Approach to Arbovirus Surveillance in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil.” 04/25/16-04/24/17.
American Association of Zoological Veterinarians
$10,000 awarded to Catenacci, L., and Deem, S.L. “A One Health Approach to Arbovirus Surveillance in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil.” 05/15/16-04/15/17.
National Science Foundation Research Experience for Teachers
$14,900 awarded to Gibbs, J., and Deem S.L. “How Environment, Physiology and Life History Interact to Determine Pattern in Animal Migration.” 03/01/16-02/28/17.
Disney World Conservation Fund
$21,300 awarded to Deem, S.L., Blake, S., Palmer, J. Lammering, K., Flowers, S., and VanLinn, P. “St. Louis Box Turtle Project.” 09/10/15-09/09/16.
Weiss Foundation
$11,000 awarded to Deem, S.L. “Pathogens of zoonotic and wildlife conservation concern in dromedary camels in Kenya.” 10/01/14-09/30/15.
Disney World Conservation Fund
$23,950 awarded to Deem, S.L., Blake, S., Palmer, J. Lammering, K., Flowers, S., and VanLinn, P. “St. Louis Box Turtle Project.” 09/10/14-09/09/15.
Mizzou Advantage Award – University of Missouri-Columbia
$249,996 awarded to Rosenfeld, C., Tillitt, D., Bhandari, R., Deem, S.L., Holliday, D. “Endocrine Disruption of the Epigenome Across Taxa”. 05/01/14-04/30/15.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Research for Conservation Program
$10,000 awarded to Rasambainarivo, F., Parker, P., Porton, I., and Deem, S.L. “Leptospirosis at the interface between domestic animals and wildlife of the Betampona Natural Reserve, Madagascar”. 04/01/14-3/31/14.
Conservation Endowment Fund - Association of Zoos and Aquariums
$20,834 awarded to Deem, S.L., Bradshaw, L., Niedbalski, A., and Johnson, R. “Human health benefits associated with visiting zoological institutions”. 09/01/2013-08/31/2014.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Research for Conservation Program
$9,600 awarded to Deem, S.L., Kinnaird, M., Browne, A.S., Fevre, E., and Wang, A. “Health monitoring of dromedary camels in the arid and semi-arid lands of Northern Kenya: implications for human health and wildlife conservation”. 05/01/2013-04/30/2014.
National Science Foundation
$600,000 awarded to Gibbs, J., Blake, S., Deem, S.L., and Frair, J. “How Environment, Physiology and Life History Interact to Determine Pattern in Animal Migration.” 01/01/2013-01/01/2016.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Research for Conservation Program
$4,500 awarded to Porton, I., Deem, S., and Rasambainarivo, F. “The health of four lemur populations in Betampona Natural Reserve: Indri indri, Propithecus diadema, Varecia variegata and Eulemur fulvus albifrons.”12/01/2012-12/31/2012.
International Elephant Foundation
$9,900 awarded to Miller, M., Olea-Popelka, F., Deem, S.L., and Schmitt, D. “Disease risk analyses for tuberculosis detection and prevalence in elephants”. 01/01/2012-12/31/2013.
Mazuri
$7,250 awarded to Deem, S.L., Duncan, M., Schmidt, D.A., Junge, R.E., and Fischer, M. “An epidemiologic study of rumenitis in exotic ungulates”. 11/01/11-10/31/12.
Novus International
$14,500 awarded to Deem, S.L., Dierenfeld, E., and Kinnaird, M. “Health monitoring of dromedary camels in the arid and semi-arid lands of Northern Kenya: implications for human health and wildlife conservation”. 04/11-04/12.
Morris Animal Foundation
$9,000 awarded to Verant, M., Deem, S.L., and Parker, P.G. “Waterborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii between feral cats and endemic avifauna in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.” 01/10-01/11.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Research for Conservation Program
$9,410 awarded to Deem, S.L., Parker, P.G., and Verant, M. “Waterborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in the Galapagos.” 12/09-12/10.
Charles Darwin Foundation – Galapagos Conservancy
$10,000 awarded to Deem, S.L., Parker, P.G., and Higashiguchi, J. “Understanding the epidemiology of avian pox virus in Galapagos: Implications for the long-term conservation of Galapagos’ birds. ” 5/09-12/09.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Research for Conservation Program
$7,962 awarded to Deem, S.L., Parker, P.G., Cruz, M., and Merkel, J. “Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii in Galápagos penguins and flightless cormorants in the Galápagos islands. ” 10/08-09/09.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Research for Conservation Program
$7,962 awarded to Higashiguchi, J.M., Parker, P.G., Deem, S.L. “Characterization of avian poxvirus strains in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.” 10/08-09/09.
Morris Animal Foundation
$20,052 awarded to Deem, S.L., Parker, P.G., Cruz, M., and Hoeck, P. “Health survey for the re-introduction of the Floreana mockingbird.” 08/08-07/09.
Saint Louis Zoo – The Field Research for Conservation Program
$9,560 awarded to Deem, S.L., Parker, P.G., Cruz, M., and Hoeck, P. Avian health survey for the re-introduction of the Floreana mockingbird (Nesomimus trifasciatus).” 05/08-04/09.
Charles Darwin Foundation – Galapagos Conservancy
$3,000 awarded to Deem, S.L., and Parker, P.G. “Avian Pox Virus.” 4/08-8/08
Wildlife Conservation Society – Pongara Fund
$4,865 awarded to Deem, S.L., and Bourgeois, S. “The impact of artificial light pollution on leatherback sea turtles in Gabon.” 2/07-5/07
AZA – Conservation Endowment Fund
$15,571 awarded to Deem, S.L., and Songsasen, N. “Ecology and health status of maned wolves living in Brazilian and Bolivian National Parks.” 9/06-8/07.
AZA – Conservation Endowment Fund
$25,320 awarded to Deem, S.L., and Songsasen, N. “Ecology and health status of maned wolves living in Brazilian and Bolivian National Parks.” 9/05-8/06.
Smithsonian Institution
$50,000 awarded to Deem, S.L. “Wildlife and Human Health Studies in Central Africa”. 9/05 – 8/06.
Maned Wolf Species Survival Plan
$1,500 awarded to Deem, S.L, Emmons, L.H., and Murray, S. “Health evaluation of maned wolves in the Parque Nacional Noél Kempff Mercado, Bolivia.” 5/04 – 5/05.
Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park
$1,000 awarded to Deem, S.L, and Norton T.N. “Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) health assessment program along the Georgia coast and barrier island.” 5/04 – 7/04.
Morris Animal Foundation
$4,000 awarded to Savageau, N. and Deem, S.L. “Documenting the blinding effect of Wasmannia auropunctata (little fire ant) on native fauna in Gabon.” 6/06 – 8/06.
Smithsonian Endowment
$20,000 awarded to Brown, J., Leimgruber, P., Eggert, L, and Deem, S.L. “Management of captive elephants - the missing link for conservation of wild elephants in Burma.” 11/05 – 11/06.
SeaWorld & Busch Garden Conservation Fund
$5,000 awarded to Emmons, L., Deem, S.L., Murray, S., and Maldonado, J. “Health and Genetic Study of Maned Wolves in the Noël Kempff Mercado National Park, Bolivia.” 8/04-8/05.
Wolcott – Trust Endowment Proposal
$20,000 awarded to Brown, J., Leimgruber, P., Eggert, L, and Deem, S.L. “Creation of a Smithsonian Elephant Research and Conservation Initiative.” 1/04 – 1/05.
Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park
$2,550 awarded to Deem, S.L. “Forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) immobilizations for on-going ecological and health studies.” 3/03.
Lawrence Foundation
$5,000 awarded to Deem, S.L., Starr, L., Norton, T., and Karesh, W.B. “Sea turtle health assessment program in the Caribbean and Atlantic.” 1/02 - 1/03.
New York Community Trust
$300,000 awarded to Cook, R.A., Karesh, W.B., Deem, S.L., Weisman, W., and Uhart, M.M. “Working toward wildlife health in WCS conservation landscapes.” 1/00-1/03.
Jaguar Conservation Program Small Grants Program
$2,500 awarded to Deem, S.L., and Evans, R. “Health and reproductive evaluations of captive jaguars at the Simon Bolivar Zoo, San Jose, Costa Rica.” 9/01.
Jaguar Conservation Program Small Grants Program
$21,000 awarded to Fiorello, C., Deem, S.L., and Karesh, W.B. “Risks of disease transmission to jaguars from domestic carnivores in fragmented habitats.” 7/00-7/01.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Predoctoral Fellow in Veterinary Epidemiology
$77,600 awarded to Deem, S.L. "The acquisition of Cowdria ruminantium infection and immunity in calves: implications for the epidemiology and control of heartwater."’1/91-1/94.
Southeastern Consortium for International Development
$2,000 awarded to Deem, S.L., and Perry, B.D. "The control of heartwater in ruminants in Zimbabwe." 6/86 - 8/86.
