Cara Field, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACZM
Embracing the mixture of aquatic animal health, scientific discovery and sharing what we learn with the global community fuels my hope that, together, we can make positive changes for ocean and human health.
Dr. Cara Field can trace her long history at The Marine Mammal Center back to when she served as an animal care volunteer while attending graduate and veterinary school. Dr. Field rejoined the Center in 2014 and served as the primary Clinical Veterinarian for nine and a half years, during which time she oversaw the care and health of the Center’s marine mammal patients, collaborated on numerous research projects and directed our Teaching Hospital program. In 2024, Dr. Field transitioned into her new role as Director of Conservation Medicine, where she leads internal and collaborative conservation medicine research.
Dr. Field is a certified Diplomate in the American College of Zoological Medicine, and one of only 35 Diplomates with the specialty of aquatic animal medicine. Additionally, in 2024, she was elected president of the International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine. Dr. Field currently serves as an advisor for multiple aquatic animal conservation working groups.
Each year, Dr. Field mentors graduate students, residents and other professionals who come to the Center to study marine mammal conservation medicine with special emphasis on the effects of anthropogenic factors and both infectious and non-infectious diseases on marine mammal and ecosystem health.
Dr. Field completed the dual DVM/PhD degree program at UC Davis in 2005, where she studied the effects of high pressure on blood platelets from elephant seals, the world’s deepest diving seal. She then worked at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut for three years as a post-doctoral researcher studying marine mammal brucellosis and was subsequently the Intern Veterinarian there.
Dr. Field’s past work history also includes working in New Orleans as Associate Veterinarian at the Audubon Nature Institute, including caring for hundreds of oiled marine animals during the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and working as the Senior Associate Veterinarian at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, one of the largest aquariums in the world. She moved back to California to work at The Marine Mammal Center in 2014 and travels extensively to different parts of the world to teach aquatic animal health and conservation medicine.
Areas of Expertise
- Veterinary Medicine
- Aquatic Animal Health
- Global Impact of Marine Mammal Diseases, including Biotoxins and Cancer
- Effects of Climate Change on Ocean Health
- Marine Mammal Physiology
Talk to Our Experts
Our experts are available to comment on a variety of marine mammal and ocean health issues. Please contact our PR team at media@tmmc.org to schedule an interview.
Marine Science Careers
Ever wondered how to become a marine mammal veterinarian? Learn what it takes and find out how Dr. Cara Field uses her role as a teacher to help protect our ocean for future generations.
Recent Publications
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/cropped-images\/csl-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-3-2-318-2819-2252-1600897445.jpg","alt":"California sea lion","title":"Establishing Dosing Requirements for an Anti-Fungal Medication in Young Sea Lions","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/establishing-dosing-requirements-for-an-anti-fungal-medication-in-young-sea-lions","label":"Research Paper"}
Establishing Dosing Requirements for an Anti-Fungal Medication in Young Sea Lions
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/csl-photo-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-12.jpg","alt":"two California sea lions","title":"Multi-Phase Muscle Breakdown in California Sea Lions","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/multi-phase-muscle-breakdown-in-california-sea-lions","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Elephant seals\/cropped-images\/es-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-3-2-1214-3454-3512-1600891002.jpg","alt":"northern elephant seal","title":"Diagnostic Tests for Lungworm-Infected Northern Elephant Seals","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/diagnostic-tests-for-lungworm-infected-northern-elephant-seals","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/hs-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-6.jpg","alt":"a group of harbor seals in the water","title":"Evaluating Whether Lactate Levels in the Blood Can Predict Recovery","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/evaluating-whether-lactate-levels-in-the-blood-can-predict-recovery","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Elephant seals\/2018\/es-seafoam-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-1.jpg","alt":"northern elephant seal with mouth open, showing teeth","title":"Treatment of Canine Tooth Fractures in the Northern Elephant Seal: Three Cases","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/treatment-of-canine-tooth-fractures-in-the-northern-elephant-seal-three-cases","label":"Research Paper"}
Treatment of Canine Tooth Fractures in the Northern Elephant Seal: Three Cases
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/2020\/csl-oso-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-1.jpg","alt":"California sea lion","title":"Loss of Neuron Connectors in the Brains of Sea Lions with Epilepsy","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/loss-of-neuron-connectors-in-the-brains-of-sea-lions-with-epilepsy","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Sea otter\/sea-otter-photo-c-brian-simuro.jpeg","alt":"sea otter in a seagrass bed","title":"New Brucella Bacterial Infection in Southern Sea Otters","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/new-brucella-bacterial-infection-in-southern-sea-otters","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2019\/cropped-images\/hs-aquapup-1-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-164-4-2324-1816-1606771695.jpg","alt":"two harbor seals","title":"Effects of Mercury Exposure in Harbor Seal Pups","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/effects-of-mercury-exposure-in-harbor-seal-pups","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Other species\/cropped-images\/galapagos-sea-lion-shutterstock-954-376-2988-2334-1617750524.jpg","alt":"Galapagos sea lion","title":"Mycoplasmas in Galapagos Sea Lions and Their Association with Other Respiratory Pathogens","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/occurrence-of-mycoplasmas-in-galapagos-sea-lions","label":"Research Paper"}
Mycoplasmas in Galapagos Sea Lions and Their Association with Other Respiratory Pathogens
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/cropped-images\/csl-eating-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-0-361-1799-1405-1617816863.jpg","alt":"California sea lion eating a fish","title":"Predicting Prognosis in Wildlife Rehabilitation: A Case Study of Leptospirosis in Sea Lions","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/predicting-prognosis-in-wildlife-rehabilitation-a-case-study-of-leptospirosis","label":"Research Paper"}
Predicting Prognosis in Wildlife Rehabilitation: A Case Study of Leptospirosis in Sea Lions
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Elephant seal\/cropped-images\/elephant-seal-bull-shutterstock-640-0-3728-2911-1626818513.jpg","alt":"large northern elephant seal on a beach","title":"Use of Potassium Chloride for Low-Residue Euthanasia of Anesthetized Seals and Sea Lions","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/use-of-potassium-chloride-for-low-residue-euthanasia-of-anesthetized-seals-and-sea-lions","label":"Research Paper"}
Use of Potassium Chloride for Low-Residue Euthanasia of Anesthetized Seals and Sea Lions
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/2021\/cropped-images\/csl-bottlecap-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-1070-538-2499-1952-1630538744.jpeg","alt":"California sea lion Bottlecap","title":"Treating California Sea Lions with Sarcocystis-Associated Multi-Phase Muscle Breakdown","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/treating-california-sea-lions-with-sarcocystis-associated-multi-phase-muscle-breakdown","label":"Research Paper"}
Treating California Sea Lions with Sarcocystis-Associated Multi-Phase Muscle Breakdown
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Sea otter\/cropped-images\/sea-otter-grooming-shutterstock-882-2-5118-3997-1641932278.jpg","alt":"southern sea otter grooming its face","title":"Genetics and Pathology Associated with Klebsiella Pneumonia","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/genetics-and-pathology-associated-with-klebsiella-pneumonia","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/cropped-images\/csl-ledge-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-394-10-2918-2279-1604525467.jpg","alt":"California sea lion pups","title":"Clinical and Microbiological Characterization of Lymph Node Abscesses in Young Sea Lions","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/clinical-and-microbiological-characterization-of-lymph-node-abscesses-in-young-sea-lions","label":"Research Paper"}
Clinical and Microbiological Characterization of Lymph Node Abscesses in Young Sea Lions
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Harbor seal\/cropped-images\/harbor-seals-shutterstock-307-0-4076-3184-1645666025.jpg","alt":"harbor seal moms and pups on a beach","title":"Fetal Mercury Concentrations in Harbor Seals: Associated Drivers and Outcomes","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/fetal-mercury-concentrations-in-harbor-seals-associated-drivers-and-outcomes","label":"Research Paper"}
Fetal Mercury Concentrations in Harbor Seals: Associated Drivers and Outcomes
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Guadalupe fur seals\/2022\/cropped-images\/gfs-milo-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-noaa-permit-18786-0-1484-3603-2814-1698267858.jpg","alt":"Guadalupe fur seal in rehabilitation","title":"Mortality in an Off-Shore Predator Critical Habitat During the Northeast Pacific Marine Heatwave","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/mortality-in-an-off-shore-predator-critical-habitat-during-the-northeast-pacific-marine-heatwave","label":"Research Paper"}
Mortality in an Off-Shore Predator Critical Habitat During the Northeast Pacific Marine Heatwave
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Guadalupe fur seals\/2021\/cropped-images\/gfs-skyrocket-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-noaa-permit-18786-2-112-1667-1302-1625765450.jpg","alt":"Guadalupe fur seal Skyrocket","title":"Vasculitis and Thrombosis due to the Sea Lion Lungworm in a Guadalupe Fur Seal","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/vasculitis-and-thrombosis-due-to-the-sea-lion-lungworm-in-a-guadalupe-fur-seal","label":"Research Paper"}
Vasculitis and Thrombosis due to the Sea Lion Lungworm in a Guadalupe Fur Seal
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Hawaiian monk seal\/cropped-images\/hawaiian-monk-seal-in-fishing-gear-shutterstock-103-0-4424-3455-1714076342.jpg","alt":"Hawaiian monk seal in the middle of a large plastic fishing net and buoys","title":"Marine Mammals and Plastics in the Ocean","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/marine-mammals-and-plastics-in-the-ocean","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Bottlenose dolphin\/cropped-images\/bottlenose-dolphin-mouth-open-shutterstock-322-0-3318-2592-1713910274.jpg","alt":"bottlenose dolphin","title":"Marine Mammal Response Operations During the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/marine-mammal-response-operations-during-the-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Other species\/cropped-images\/sea-turtle-shutterstock-478-2-1943-1518-1717615172.jpg","alt":"sea turtle underwater","title":"Clinicopathological Findings in Sea Turtles Assessed During the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/clinicopathological-findings-in-sea-turtles-assessed-during-the-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-response","label":"Research Paper"}
Clinicopathological Findings in Sea Turtles Assessed During the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Northern fur seals\/2020\/cropped-images\/nfs-chamois-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-57-0-1080-843-1609453794.jpg","alt":"northern fur seal pup","title":"Characterisation of North American Brucella Isolates from Marine Mammals","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/characterisation-of-north-american-brucella-isolates-from-marine-mammals","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Bottlenose dolphin\/cropped-images\/bottlenose-dolphin-leaping-by-bill-keener-c-the-marine-mammal-center-144-14-2990-2336-1610388128.jpg","alt":"bottlenose dolphin leaping","title":"Fetal Distress and In Utero Pneumonia in Perinatal Dolphins During Unusual Mortality Event","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/fetal-distress-and-in-utero-pneumonia-in-perinatal-dolphins-during-unusual-mortality-event","label":"Research Paper"}
Fetal Distress and In Utero Pneumonia in Perinatal Dolphins During Unusual Mortality Event
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/California sea lion\/csl-monterey-photo-c-bill-hunnewell.jpg","alt":"California sea lions on rock","title":"Identification of Candidate Protein Biomarkers Associated with Domoic Acid Toxicosis in Cerebrospinal Fluid of California Sea Lions","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/identification-of-candidate-protein-biomarkers-associated-with-domoic-acid-toxicosis-in-cerebrospinal-fluid-of-california-sea-lions","label":"Research Paper"}
Identification of Candidate Protein Biomarkers Associated with Domoic Acid Toxicosis in Cerebrospinal Fluid of California Sea Lions
Read More{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Veterinary care\/cropped-images\/dr-cara-field-hs-eye-exam-by-elena-graham-c-the-marine-mammal-center-186-0-1270-992-1740409687.jpg","alt":"Dr Cara Field conducting an exam on a harbor seal pup","title":"Zoonoses in the workplace: A Seroprevalence study of Coxiella, Brucella, and Leptospira among marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation workers in California","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/zoonoses-in-the-workplace-a-seroprevalence-study-of-coxiella-brucella-and-leptospira-among-marine-mammal-rescue-and-rehabilitation-workers-in-california","label":"Research Paper"}
Zoonoses in the workplace: A Seroprevalence study of Coxiella, Brucella, and Leptospira among marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation workers in California
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2024\/cropped-images\/hs-begonia-by-clive-beavis-c-the-marine-mammal-center-0-0-1270-992-1740410518.jpg","alt":"harbor seal","title":"Comparative pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of meloxicam in the California sea lion and Pacific harbor seal","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/comparative-pharmacokinetics-of-a-single-oral-dose-of-meloxicam-in-the-california-sea-lion-and-pacific-harbor-seal","label":"Research Paper"}
Comparative pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of meloxicam in the California sea lion and Pacific harbor seal
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/California sea lion\/cropped-images\/csl-on-a-rock-shutterstock-87-0-1270-992-1740414498.jpg","alt":"sea lion on rock","title":"Klebsiella pneumoniae in stranded california sea lions (Zalophus californianus) of central California between 2017-2022","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/klebsiella-pneumoniae-in-stranded-california-sea-lions-zalophus-californianus-of-central-california-between-2017-2022","label":"Research Paper"}
Klebsiella pneumoniae in stranded california sea lions (Zalophus californianus) of central California between 2017-2022
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/California sea lion\/cropped-images\/csl-release-photo-by-brian-simuro-127-0-1270-992-1740515772.jpeg","alt":"three sea lions on the beach","title":"Evaluation of Two Serologic Tests for Rapid Detection of Anti-Leptospira Antibodies in California Sea Lions","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/evaluation-of-two-serologic-tests-for-rapid-detection-of-anti-leptospira-antibodies-in-california-sea-lions","label":"Research Paper"}
Evaluation of Two Serologic Tests for Rapid Detection of Anti-Leptospira Antibodies in California Sea Lions
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/cropped-images\/csl-release-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-79-0-1270-992-1744662412.jpg","alt":"three California sea lions being released into the ocean","title":"The Toxic Effects of Environmental Domoic Acid Exposure on Humans and Marine Wildlife","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/the-toxic-effects-of-environmental-domoic-acid-exposure-on-humans-and-marine-wildlife","label":"Research Paper"}
The Toxic Effects of Environmental Domoic Acid Exposure on Humans and Marine Wildlife
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2025\/cropped-images\/barrens-hs-photo-by-clive-beavis-c-the-marine-mammal-center-92-0-1270-992-1766172380.jpg","alt":"Pacific harbor seal","title":"Population pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of gabapentin identifies rapid plasma clearance in rehabilitated Pacific harbor seal pups","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/population-pharmacokinetics-of-a-single-oral-dose-of-gabapentin-identifies-rapid-plasma-clearance-in-rehabilitated-pacific-harbor-seal-pups","label":"Research Paper"}
Population pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of gabapentin identifies rapid plasma clearance in rehabilitated Pacific harbor seal pups
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2025\/cropped-images\/voyageurs-hs-photo-by-bill-hunnewell-156-0-1270-992-1766174068.jpg","alt":"Harbor seal Voyageurs","title":"Neurological examination protocol for harbor seal pups","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/neurological-examination-protocol-for-harbor-seal-pups","label":"Research Paper"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2025\/cropped-images\/channels-hs-photo-by-bill-hunnewell-0-0-1270-992-1766201470.jpg","alt":"Harbor seal","title":"Anticipatory Behavior and Enrichment: Insights into Assessing and Managing Harbor Seal Pup Welfare in a Wildlife Rehabilitation Setting","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/anticipatory-behavior-and-enrichment-insights-into-assessing-and-managing-harbor-seal-pup-welfare-in-a-wildlife-rehabilitation-setting","label":"Research Paper"}
Anticipatory Behavior and Enrichment: Insights into Assessing and Managing Harbor Seal Pup Welfare in a Wildlife Rehabilitation Setting
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/California sea lion\/cropped-images\/csl-on-a-rock-shutterstock-87-0-1270-992-1740414498.jpg","alt":"sea lion on rock","title":"Anthelmintic therapies for Parafilaroides decorus pneumonia in California sea lions","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/anthelmintic-therapies-for-parafilaroides-decorus-pneumonia-in-california-sea-lions","label":"Research Paper"}
Anthelmintic therapies for Parafilaroides decorus pneumonia in California sea lions
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/2025\/kickstart16498photo-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-3.jpg","alt":"California sea lion","title":"Meloxicam may induce nephrotoxicity in California sea lions with chronic domoic acid toxicosis","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/meloxicam-may-induce-nephrotoxicity-in-california-sea-lions-with-chronic-domoic-acid-toxicosis","label":"Research Paper"}
Meloxicam may induce nephrotoxicity in California sea lions with chronic domoic acid toxicosis
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Sea otter\/sea-otter-face-shutterstock.jpg","alt":"Sea otter","title":"Parasite genotype is a risk factor for Sarcocystis neurona-associated mortality in southern sea otters","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/parasite-genotype-is-a-risk-factor-for-sarcocystis-neurona-associated-mortality-in-southern-sea-otters","label":"Research Paper"}
Parasite genotype is a risk factor for Sarcocystis neurona-associated mortality in southern sea otters
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Elephant seal\/es-wild-ano-nuevophoto-c-dan-friedman-17.jpg","alt":"","title":"High pathogenicity avian influenza in pinniped conservation","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/high-pathogenicity-avian-influenza-in-pinniped-conservation","label":"Research Paper"}
