Department of Pathology
Adjunct Faculty
Biography

Dr. Carol Tobias, D.V.M. is an Adjunct Associate Professor with the Department of Pathology at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a 1998 UGA College of Veterinary Medicine graduate. Dr. Tobias finished a 3-month aquatic externship with Sea World of Orlando in her fourth year. She began a contract clinical veterinary position with the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Mississippi from 2012-2024.

Dr. Tobias has established a nonprofit Georgia Marine Mammal Stranding Center (GMMSC). GMMSC will operate on the Georgia coast on Skidaway Island at the Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant UGA. Pending the required permits from NMFS, NOAA and Georgia DNR, GMMSC will protect and conserve marine mammal populations on the Georgia coast through scientific research, monitoring, and response efforts. GMMSC will promote public awareness of threats and outreach education pertaining to Georgia marine mammals.

A relationship between Georgia Marine Mammal Stranding Center (GMMSC) and Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (AVDL) will provide veterinary students access to marine mammal pathology education pending required government permits.

Dr. Tobias has spent the last 12 years assisting with marine mammal clinical medicine, stranded marine mammal medicine and stranding response in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Research Interests

  • Coastal Georgia marine mammal health, human interaction, and strandings
  • Pathobiology of stranded marine mammals
  • Veterinary student marine mammal education

Educational Background

  • 1990-1994 – Georgia State University Bachelor of Science
  • 1994-1998 – College of Veterinary Medicine University of Georgia
  • 1995 – Aqua Vet
  • 1997-1998 – Externship Sea World of Orlando

Activities

  • International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine
  • American Veterinary Medical Association
  • Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, Gulfport, Mississippi
  • The Dolphin Project, Savannah, Georgia
  • Low Country Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Charleston, South Carolina

Teaching Experience

  • Nathan’s Ark Mobile Vet:
    Mentorship program with high school and college students assisting with veterinary house calls domestic and exotic species in Atlanta, Georgia
  • Public lectures on pet poultry medicine and surgery in Atlanta, Georgia
  • Institute for Marine Mammal Studies:
    College student mentorship with marine mammal medicine and necropsies in Gulfport, Mississippi

going beyond the expected