PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
Roseville, MN
Jul 2020–Jun 2023
Staff Veterinarian and Veterinary Intern Supervisor , Permitted Wildlife Rehabilitator – General Class
- Provided veterinary care for an annual caseload of ~18,000 animals, encompassing about 200 wildlife species
- Performed procedures such as soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, diagnostic imaging including radiographs, ultrasound, and endoscopy, and stabilization of critical cases
- Mentored and trained specialty intern veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary technicians, and volunteers
- Created evidence-based treatment protocols and admission criteria and routinely adjusted based on outcome measures
- Facilitated the implementation of a workplace wellness certification program (Clear Blueprint) and advocated for and participated in strategic planning for the medical department
POST GRADUATE TRAINING
The Raptor Center & Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
St. Paul and Roseville, MN
Jul 2019 – Jul 2020
Partners for Wildlife Veterinary Intern
- Primary case responsibility including diagnostics, treatments, procedures, surgery, critical care, and long-term care and reconditioning for native wildlife including raptors, waterfowl, songbirds, mammals, and herptiles
- Provided mentorship for veterinary and wildlife rehabilitation fellows in the Partners for Wildlife program via project assistance, literature reviews, and case discussion
- Led a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator study group
- Created clinical skills checklists and a competency-based framework for clinical wildlife veterinarians
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
North Grafton, MA
Jun 2018 – Jun 2019
Small Animal Medicine Rotating Intern
- Primary case management in emergency and critical care and internal medicine, with an annual caseload of 37,000 patients
- Assisted in specialty case management and consultations including anesthesia, cardiology, exotics, ophthalmology, neurology, radiology, orthopedic surgery, and soft tissue surgery
- Conducted daily patient rounds and instructed 4th year veterinary students
- Completed rotations with the Tufts Wildlife Clinic and the Zoological Companion Animal Medicine Service
EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Madison, WI
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Emphasis in Clinical Research
2014 – 2018
Bachelor of Science, Zoology
Honors in the Liberal Arts
Certificates in Environmental Studies and Global Health
2010 – 2014
PUBLICATIONS
M. Torkelson, A. Koetz. (2023). Use of Caudoventral-Craniodorsal and Cranioventral-Caudodorsal Oblique Radiographic Views made at 45° to the Frontal Plane for the Evaluation of Pelvic Girdles in Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta). Journal of Herptile Medicine and Surgery. 33(2): 116–120. https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-22-00027
M. Torkelson, C. Heinze, J. Graham. (2022). Survey of copper and zinc concentrations in commercially available dry ferret diets. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 42:6-10. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2022.03.006
M. Brown ME, M. Torkelson, G. Olsen, A. Krisp, B. Hartup. (2020). Comparison of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in hand‐ versus parent‐reared whooping cranes (Grus americana). Zoo Biology. 1– 5. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21541
M. Pluemer, S. Dubay, D. Drake, S. Crimmins, T. Veverka, H. Hovanec, M. Torkelson, M. Mueller. (2019). Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and coyotes (Canis latrans) in an urban landscape: prevalence and risk factors for disease. Journal of Urban Ecology 5(1):1–9. https://doi.org/10.1093/jue/juz022
A. Ballmann, M. Torkelson, E. Bohuski, R. Russell, D. Blehert. (2017). Dispersal Hazards of Pseudogymnoascus destructans by Bats and Human Activity at Hibernacula in Summer. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 53(4): 725-735. https://doi.org/10.7589/2016-09-206
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Mar 2023 – National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Annual Symposium, Wilmington, DE
- M. Torkelson. Come Out of Your Shell! Overview of Turtle Anatomy and Radiology. Lecture (1 hr)
- M. Torkelson. SSSurprise! The Tails of 121 Oops Babiess. Lecture (1 hr)
- M. Torkelson, A. Carter. Push the Limits! A Systematic Method to Improve Patient Care. Roundtable discussion (2 hrs)
- M. Torkelson, A. Carter. Gimme a Break! Updates in Turtle Orthopedics. Lecture (30 min)
- R. Schott, M. Torkelson. Basics of Managing Mammal Wounds. Lab (2 hrs)
- D. Sykes, M. Mitchell, M. Torkelson, B. Turner. Herptile Panel Discussion (1hr)
- R. Schott, N. Rosenhagen, M. Torkelson, C. Lapham-Simpson. Wildife Medicine Panel Discussion (30 min)
Aug 2022 – ExoticsCon, Denver, CO
- M. Torkelson. Novel use of oblique radiographic views to assess the shoulder and pelvic girdles of turtles. Lecture (15 min)
- M. Torkelson. Validation of a Portable X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer for Quantification of Bone Lead in Trumpeter Swans. Lecture (15 min)
- M. Torkelson. Diagnostic Radiology of Aquatic Freshwater Chelonians. Lecture (1 hr)
- R. Schott, M. Torkelson. Clinical Techniques in Small Birds. Laboratory (4 hrs)
Mar 2022 – National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Annual Symposium, Madison, WI
- M. Torkelson. Better Living through Chemistry: Sedatives/Anxiolytics in Wildlife Medicine. Lecture (1 hr)
- M. Torkelson. For Fox Sake: Improving Outcomes for Mange Foxes through Critical Care. Lecture (1 hr)
- M. Torkelson. Hips Don’t Lie: Oblique Radiographs for Diagnosing Turtle Pelvic Fractures. Lecture (1 hr)
- D. Franzen-Klein, R. Schott, A. Carter, M. Torkelson. Avian and Small Mammal Fracture Management for the Wildlife Veterinarian. Laboratory (8 hrs, RACE Approved)
Feb 2020 – National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Symposium, South Padre Island, TX
- M. Torkelson and M. Willette. Training Dr. Wild. Roundtable discussion (2 hrs)
Sept 2019 – ExoticsCon, St. Louis, MO
- M. Torkelson, C. Heinze, J. Graham. Copper Concentrations in 10 Popular Commercial Ferret Diets. Scientific presentation (15 min)
Oct 2016 – The Wildlife Society’s 23rd Annual Conference, Raleigh, NC.
- H. Hovanec, M. Torkelson, M. Mueller, K. Sladky, D. Drake). Mapping urban canid health in Madison, Wisconsin. Poster session
Aug 2016 – International Conference of the Wildlife Disease Association, Cortland, NY.
- H. Hovanec, M. Torkelson, M. Mueller, K. Sladky, D. Drake. Mapping urban canid health in Madison, Wisconsin. Poster session
June 2016 – White-nose Syndrome Symposium, Madison, WI.
- Ballmann, D. Blehert, C. Meteyer, R. Russell, M. Torkelson. Assessing the risk of Geomyces destructans transmission by bats that occupy contaminated hibernacula in late summer. Poster session
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
Roseville, MN
Staff Veterinarian
Aug 2020–Jun 2023
- Development of novel surgical stabilization procedures for pectoral and pelvic girdle fractures in freshwater aquatic turtles
- Validation of a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer for the quantification of bone lead levels in wildlife
- Analysis of blood lead levels in songbirds
UW Urban Canid Project
Madison, WI
Canid Health Team
Apr 2015 – May 2018
PI: David Drake, PhD
- Assisted with field immobilization of coyotes and foxes
- Collected blood samples and interpreted hematology and serology testing
- Tracked study animals using radio-telemetry
USGS National Wildlife Health Center, Honolulu Field Station
Honolulu, HI
Jul 2014, May – Jun 2017
Visiting Student
PI: Thierry Work, DVM, MPVM
- Developed procedure for dissociation of Aiptasia anemone tissue into single cells for cytology
- Tested lectin staining procedures and characterized stain uptake for coral histopathology
- Participated in avian necropsies and fish mortality investigations
International Crane Foundation
Baraboo, WI
Jun-Aug 2016
Conservation Medicine Research Intern
PI: Barry Hartup, DVM, PhD
- Compared fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in hand versus parent-reared whooping crane chicks
- Provided veterinary care to captive cranes
- Assisted with transmitter implantation in wild whooping crane chicks in the field
USGS National Wildlife Health Center
IN, KY, OH, TN, VA, WI
Biological Field Technician
May-Aug 2012
PI: Anne Ballmann, DVM, PhD
- Captured bats for white-nose syndrome surveillance, conducted environmental sampling within caves and mines
- Created protocols, maintained necessary instruments and inventory, and directed volunteer teams including students, members of federal and state agencies, and non-profits
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
St. Paul, MN
Zoological, Exotic, Avian and Wildlife Medicine Club
Avian Bandaging Lab (Nov 2022)
Zoo and Wildlife Rounds
Guest lecture: Case Report of Tularemia in a Bobcat (Feb 2022)
Guest lecture: Use of the Piezoelectric Drill for Synostosis Repair in Raptors (Apr 2020)
Managed Captive Wildlife
Guest lecture: Comparative Respiratory Anatomy and Physiology (Oct 2019)
The Raptor Center, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
St. Paul, MN
Raptor Academy: Raptor Medical Care and Captive Management
Guest lecture: Captive Injuries (Feb 2020)
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University
North Grafton, MA
Avian Club
Avian Techniques Laboratory (Apr 2019)
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Wisconsin Exotic Animal Veterinary Conference (WEAVC)
Positions: Chair, Vice Chair, Wet Lab Chair
2015 – 2017
- Planned an annual CE conference featuring nationally recognized experts in exotic animal medicine including lectures, masterclasses, and laboratories
Wisconsin Student Chapter of the Wildlife Disease Association
Positions: President, Vice President
2015 – 2017
Wildlife, Exotic, and Zoo Animal Medicine Club, UW School of Veterinary Medicine
Positions: President, Vice President
2015 – 2016
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Wisconsin Zoological Museum
Madison, WI
Sep 2010–May 2017
Preparator
- Prepared study skins and skeletal specimens
- Managed dermestid beetle colony
Dane County Humane Society Wildlife Center
Madison, WI
Jul 2015-May 2016
Raptor Telemetry Volunteer
- Conducted radio telemetry surveys on released rehabilitated red-tailed hawks
USGS National Wildlife Health Center
Madison, WI
Jan 2012–Aug 2014
Necropsy Volunteer
- Assisted pathologists with necropsy and sample collection
CERTIFICATIONS
- Certified Aquatic Veterinarian (CertAqV), World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (2021)
- Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator, International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (2020)
- USDA NVAP Category II Accredited Veterinarian (2019)
- Fear Free Veterinary Certification (2018)
- Safe-Capture International, Chemical Immobilization (2015)
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (2014)
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Principles of Bone Plating
Colorado State University Translational Medicine Institute
Feb 16-18, 2023 (28 CE Credit Hours)
Avian, Reptile, Exotic Mammal, and Fish Endoscopy Course
University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
Apr 1 – May 31, 2022 (16.5 CE Credit Hours)
Developing Leadership Course
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
Dec 2021-May 2022
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians
- National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
- The Wildlife Society
- Wildlife Disease Association
- World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association