Connie Merigo started her career working with marine mammals and sea turtles in 1991. She is the Director of the National Marine Life Center on Cape Cod. Connie previously spent 28 years at the New England Aquarium, first as a biologist and ultimately leading the Rescue and Rehabilitation Department. Connie has led a team of professionals in the rehabilitation and release of dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea turtles. She is responsible for leading response efforts during mass casualty stranding events involving whales, dolphins and sea turtles. She has served on several local and national animal emergency response teams and has been certified in the Incident Command System for disaster management since 1996. Connie currently focuses on sea turtle rehabilitation and field research. She has co-authored a book chapter on sea turtle medicine and more than 18 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles on sea turtles and marine mammals.