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NMMF and Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University Host Interdisciplinary Workshop to Advance Pulmonary Health Assessment in Dolphins

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Drs. Cynthia Smith (on left), Forrest Gomez (on right), and Mauricio Solano (right of center) engaging with marine mammal veterinarians, human radiologists and pulmonologists, veterinary radiologists, and Tufts University veterinary students at the dolphin pulmonary ultrasound workshop in Grafton, MA.
Drs. Cynthia Smith (on left), Forrest Gomez (on right), and Mauricio Solano (right of center) engaging with marine mammal veterinarians, human radiologists and pulmonologists, veterinary radiologists, and veterinary students at the dolphin pulmonary ultrasound workshop in Grafton, MA.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kristina Martz, ex******************@**mf.org

Landmark Cross-Sectional Collaboration Made Possible with Funding from Morris Animal Foundation

San Diego, CA – The National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF), in collaboration with Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, recently convened the Workshop on Advancing Pulmonary Health Assessment in Dolphins – Integrating Human and Veterinary Imaging Perspectives.

Supported through a grant from Morris Animal Foundation, the two-day hybrid workshop brought together marine mammal veterinarians, veterinary and human radiologists, pulmonologists, pathologists, conservation medicine experts, and students to accelerate progress in dolphin pulmonary imaging, with a primary focus on ultrasound.

From Nov. 4 to 5, 2025, participants from leading institutions, including Angell Memorial, Cleveland Clinic/Olympus, Naval Medical Center San Diego, Northwest Zoo Path, University of Illinois, ZooRadOne, and South American organizations—Omacha Foundation and R3 Animal, joined NMMF Conservation Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging team members at Cummings School. Additional support for NMMF participation was provided by Dolphin Quest.

  • Tufts University faculty, residents, and veterinary students with NMMF marine mammal veterinarians in the Dean’s Conference Room in Grafton, MA. Human radiologists, human pulmonologists, and marine mammal veterinary experts joined virtually from San Diego, CA.
    Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University faculty, residents, and veterinary students with NMMF marine mammal veterinarians in Grafton, MA. Human radiologists, human pulmonologists, and marine mammal veterinary experts joined virtually from San Diego, CA.
  • Drs. Mauricio Solano (Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University Associate Professor and Veterinary Radiologist), Jacey Anderson (Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University DVM Resident, Diagnostic Imaging), Cynthia Smith (NMMF CEO and Marine Mammal Veterinarian), Forrest Gomez (NMMF Director of Conservation Medicine) at the close of the workshop in Grafton, MA.
    Drs. Mauricio Solano (Section Head of Diagnostic Imaging and Associate Professor at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University), Jacey Anderson (Resident, Diagnostic Imaging, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University), Cynthia Smith (NMMF CEO and Marine Mammal Veterinarian), and Forrest Gomez (NMMF Director of Conservation Medicine) at the close of the workshop in Grafton, MA.


Day one focused on advancing pulmonary imaging methods and interpretation for bottlenose dolphins, emphasizing the integration of human medical approaches into veterinary diagnostics.

Day two centered on chronic lung conditions in dolphins, including those impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, as well as emerging pulmonary health insights from endangered Amazon River dolphins in Brazil and Colombia.

The teachings from this workshop will lay the groundwork for improving pulmonary ultrasound assessment and techniques, advancing research that improves health outcomes in dolphins, and strengthening global conservation medicine efforts.

Dr. Kelly Diehl, Senior Director of Science Communications, Morris Animal Foundation
“An integral part of founder Dr. Mark Morris Sr.’s vision was to support and foster collaboration and training of scientists and mentoring of students. Today, we continue in Dr. Morris’ footsteps by supporting opportunities for animal health professionals and students to learn, share and discover new knowledge to advance animal health research globally. Morris Animal Foundation is honored to support this pioneering workshop and the NMMF’s educational and collaborative platforms to improve the lives of animals everywhere.”

Dr. Cynthia Smith, President and CEO, National Marine Mammal Foundation
“Our collaboration with Cummings School began about 20 years ago when Dr. Mauricio Solano, my former professor, agreed to help us advance diagnostic imaging techniques for bottlenose dolphins. Over the years, we have implemented these techniques in our health assessments of dolphins all over the world, from at-risk bottlenose dolphins impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster in US coastal waters, to critically endangered river dolphins that are enduring rising water temperatures and deteriorating air quality in the Amazon.”

Dr. Forrest Gomez, Director of Conservation Medicine, National Marine Mammal Foundation
“This workshop represents a major step forward in bridging human and veterinary medicine to improve how we diagnose lung disease in dolphins. The collaborative insights generated here will help refine our approaches to pulmonary ultrasound, deepen our understanding of acute and chronic lung disease in vulnerable dolphin populations, and guide future research that supports conservation medicine around the world. We are grateful to Morris Animal Foundation and Cummings School for helping make this landmark event possible.”

Dr. Mauricio Solano, Associate Professor and Section Head of Diagnostic Imaging, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
“This workshop allowed us to look, with a critical mind, at the state-of-the-art imaging techniques developed over the years to diagnose lung disease in dolphins. These imaging techniques are now applied as standard protocols in the monitoring of the health of wild populations of dolphins. It was a gathering of like-minded experts who are, first and foremost, enthusiastic about improving the health of such wonderful creatures. And, I am thrilled we were able to invite a select group of veterinary students who are similarly invested in the health of marine mammals. I am grateful for the collaboration and support of Morris Animal Foundation and the National Marine Mammal Foundation around this important work.”

  • Tufts University faculty, residents, and veterinary students with NMMF marine mammal veterinarians at the Small Animal Hospital in Grafton, MA. Human radiologists, human pulmonologists, and marine mammal veterinary experts joined virtually from San Diego, CA.
    Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University faculty, residents, and veterinary students with NMMF marine mammal veterinarians in Grafton, MA. Human radiologists, human pulmonologists, and marine mammal veterinary experts joined virtually from San Diego, CA. 

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About Morris Animal Foundation

Morris Animal Foundation’s mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, it is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, investing more than $170 million in 3,200+ critical studies across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.

About National Marine Mammal Foundation

The National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF) is a global leader in aquatic mammal science, medicine, and conservation. Their team of experts is helping to answer critical questions about the health of the world’s dolphins, porpoises, and whales and the ecosystems they rely on. They conduct innovative science and collaborate with researchers and institutions to translate their findings into practical applications in medicine and species conservation. The NMMF provides technical, medical, and scientific expertise to address urgent conservation medicine priorities, ecosystem health, and endangered species recovery. Through Operation GRACE, they partner with species experts and veterinarians worldwide to support health assessment efforts and help train local teams and communities in conservation medicine approaches, building in-country technical capacity to help safeguard at-risk species and their habitats for years to come.

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