Stefanie Cooke

Stefanie Cooke first joined The Marine Mammal Center as a response volunteer on Hawaii Island in 2019 and shortly thereafter became an Animal Care volunteer, serving as a volunteer crew supervisor for three years. In October 2022, she joined the Center’s staff as an Animal Care Specialist, providing husbandry and patient care for our Hawaiian monk seal patients, and assisting the veterinary team with exams and procedures. She also supervises animal care volunteers and coordinates the life support volunteer crew.

Prior to working at the Center, Stefanie worked at Monterey Bay Aquarium for 10 years, beginning in Education and later as an Aquarist in the Husbandry Department. She collected specimens, maintained exhibits and cared for a variety of species including invertebrates, fishes, penguins and sea otters. Previously, she also worked at Dolphin Quest Hawaii as a Trainer, leading interactive educational programs with bottlenose dolphins.

Stefanie earned her bachelor’s degree in marine biology at UC Santa Cruz. She now lives in Waikoloa, Hawaii, with her husband and daughter. She enjoys being in or on the ocean and out in nature, as well as performing aerial arts with a local dance company.

Areas of Expertise

• Marine Mammal Husbandry and Rehabilitation
• Animal Behavior and Enrichment
• Volunteer Training and Management
• Life Support Systems
• Marine Science Education and Interpretation