Paul Thompson – Laboratory Technical Officer, Taronga Zoo

After obtaining his Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) from the Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, Paul worked as a microbiologist in a number of Australian hospitals before moving to the United States. Paul worked for several years as a specialist microbiologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in the USA while also working towards a Master of Science (Infectious Disease and Microbiology) from the University of Pittsburgh. Paul joined the Taronga Conservation Society Australia in 2010 as a Laboratory Technical Officer where he manages the operations of the Taronga Wildlife Hospital’s diagnostic pathology laboratory.

In his time at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital Paul has been involved with a number of research projects including Bush Rat and Regent Honeyeater reintroduction programs and has presented a one day Practical Laboratory Skills Workshop, at the Wildlife Pathology Short Course held at Sydney University in 2012, and Taronga Zoo in 2019.