Ari Fustukjian

Dr. Ari Fustukjian serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Watershed Sciences and Vice President of Zoological Operations at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. He holds diplomate status in Fish Practice from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and serves as Director-at-Large for the American Association of Fish Veterinarians while advising coral restoration initiatives for the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project and Caribbean programs.

His academic foundation includes:

• Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)

With over a decade of specialized experience, Dr. Fustukjian's research integrates clinical veterinary practice with marine conservation. His work emphasizes sea turtle and marine mammal rehabilitation, advanced elasmobranch (sharks/rays) critical care protocols, and marine invertebrate health systems directly supporting large-scale ecosystem restoration efforts. This interdisciplinary approach bridges zoo veterinary medicine with field conservation biology.