Dr. Forrest Gomez is the Director of Conservation Medicine at the National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF), where she leads global efforts to advance the health and conservation of aquatic mammals. With over 20 years of experience, she is passionate about endangered species, aquatic animal medicine, technology development, community engagement, and storytelling for conservation impact. Her work spans critical conservation initiatives such as emergency rescue efforts for the world’s most endangered marine mammal, the vaquita porpoise; ongoing investigations into the long-term effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on bottlenose dolphins; and global veterinary capacity building.
Dr. Gomez co-founded Operation GRACE (Global Rescue of At-Risk Cetaceans and Ecosystems), an NMMF initiative dedicated to protecting at-risk cetaceans, their ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them. Central to her leadership in this effort is applying NMMF’s unique conservation medicine perspective to support local partners and on-the-ground conservation. She is deeply committed to advancing interdisciplinary, inclusive, and creative approaches that recognize the vital role of the human dimension in wildlife conservation challenges.
Her approach is informed by her background in anthropology from UC Berkeley and veterinary training from UC Davis, which together foster a holistic view of wildlife health within broader social and ecological contexts.
A lifelong traveler with a deep appreciation for diverse cultures, Dr. Gomez brings this global perspective to her work, fostering strong, respectful partnerships worldwide. Inspired by her role as a mother and partner, as well as the many people, places, and animals she loves, she remains focused on building collaborative, respectful solutions that benefit both communities and wildlife, preserving wild spaces for generations to come.
