Director of Conservation Medicine
Dr Max was born and raised in coastal Southern California, where he grew up surrounded by ocean life and cultivated a life-long passion for marine conservation.
He completed his studies at the University of Southern California, Cambridge University, Cornell Medical College, and the University of Florida, where he undertook extensive post-graduate training in Aquatic Animal Medicine.
Dr Max is trained as both a human transplant surgeon and specialist veterinary surgeon and has practiced and taught marine animal medicine and conservation on six continents.
Prior to veterinary school, Dr Max founded a biotech company focused on developing novel advances in organ transplantation. This led to the invention and approval of the world’s first artificial life support system for organs awaiting transplant.
Dr Max has many years of experience in the sea turtle medical and research world, serving as the founding veterinarian and trustee of the Sea Turtle Hospital at the University of Florida and the Director of Rehabilitation at Loggerhead Marinelife Center (Florida), where he guided the expansion of the new hospital into the largest of its kind in the world.
In addition to serving as ORP’s Director of Conservation Medicine, Dr Max also serves as Medical Director at the Sea Turtle Rescue Alliance and Director of Animal Health and Chief Veterinarian at SHAMS within the Environmental Ministry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
