Educational Programme Manager
Dr Mariana Fragoso grew up by the ocean in Lisbon, Portugal, where she spent her childhood captivated by wildlife documentaries and dreaming of living among fascinating animals. During university, she led the Exotic and Wildlife Student Chapter and graduated with an Integrated Master’s in Veterinary Medicine from Lisbon University, with her research focused on dolphin conservation in Chilean Patagonia.
Dr Mariana has contributed to sea turtle nesting research in Cape Verde and Florida, completed a sea turtle medicine and rehabilitation internship in Florida, and volunteered as a veterinary surgeon at a sea turtle rescue centre in Greece. Following graduation, she joined a wildlife NGO in Bolivia, where she worked closely with a wide range of jungle animals, particularly big cats, another of her lifelong passions.
She furthered her training through the SeaVet Clinical Training Course at the University of Florida and an Aquatic Animal Medicine course by IMFAC, Mexico. From 2020 to 2022, Dr Mariana worked at a small animal and exotics hospital in the UK and also served as Veterinary Advisor and Communications Lead for the Sea Turtle Rescue Alliance (STRA).
From 2022 to 2024, she was the Veterinary Surgeon for the Olive Ridley Project in the Maldives. The first quarter of 2025, she transitioned into a remote role as Conservation Medical Researcher, focusing on developing and refining rehabilitation protocols, analysing medical data, and advancing sea turtle healthcare. She is currently the Programme Manager for STRA.
Working remotely has also enabled her to continue her academic development. Dr Mariana has completed a postgraduate degree in Wildlife Conservation Medicine, is currently pursuing another in Exotic Animal Medicine, and is now a Certified Aquatic Veterinarian through WAVMA.
In her free time, she enjoys diving, snorkelling, trekking, and gardening.