Our Ocean Experts
Expert trainers
Caring for Our Ocean Park
At Coral World Ocean Park, our mission to inspire marine conservation is driven by the people who live it every day. From monitoring delicate ocean habitats to providing world-class medical care for our resident and rescued marine life, our passionate team of veterinarians, curators, divers, aquarists, and animal welfare specialists are the heart of everything we do.
Featured Team Members
Dr. Heidi Stout, VMD
Veterinarian | Coral World Ocean Park & CWORI
Dr. Heidi Stout leads veterinary care across Coral World Ocean Park and the Coral World Ocean & Reef Initiative (CWORI). Specializing in aquatic, avian, and marine animal medicine, Dr. Stout oversees comprehensive preventative health plans, emergency medical interventions, and diagnostic procedures for our diverse animal population.
Dr. Stout brings decades of international wildlife veterinary experience to Coral World, including managing major oiled-wildlife responses worldwide. In addition to caring for Coral World’s resident species, she plays a vital role in regional wildlife rescue and rehabilitation — providing critical care for sick and injured sea turtles, marine mammals, and local fauna. Dr. Stout received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Pennsylvania.
Kristine Tartaglio
general curator
Kristine is driven by an unwavering commitment to animal wellbeing, ensuring that every animal at Coral World receives the highest standard of science-based care. With a Master’s degree in Marine and Environmental Science from the University of the Virgin Islands and a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis, Kristine combines academic rigor with over 17 years of hands-on animal care experience.
Her professional trajectory—evolving from a dedicated Animal Care Specialist into her current role—has provided her with an intimate understanding of high-standard marine animal husbandry and effective team management. Additionally, her commitment to animal wellbeing extends across the industry through serving on the Board of Directors for the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) and previously as the Treasurer for the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA). In 2020, Kristine facilitated Coral World’s continued AMMPA accreditation and established IMATA-accredition for their Marine Mammal Trainer Development Program.
Kristine is deeply committed to advancing quality educational programs and offering inspirational leadership to a passionate Animal Care team, ensuring that both the animals under her charge and visiting guests from near and far benefit from a culture of science-backed animal care, professional collaboration, and marine conservation education.
Jason Anderson
manager of dive operations | dive safety officer
Jason serves as the Manager of Dive Operations and Dive Safety Officer at Coral World Ocean Park, where he leads the park’s diving programs, safety initiatives, and staff development efforts. In this role, he is dedicated to creating safe, engaging, and unforgettable underwater experiences for guests while promoting responsible interaction with the marine environment.
A seasoned dive professional and marine operations leader, Jason brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in emergency services, disaster response, technical rescue, and safety management to Coral World’s diving and marine adventure programs. His focus is on ensuring every guest enjoys a world-class experience while fostering a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, and exceptional customer service.
Through Coral World’s programs, Jason works to connect guests with the beauty of the Caribbean while encouraging conservation-minded practices that help preserve these resources for future generations.
World-Class Standards, Unmatched Care
Behind every exhibit, dive, and animal interaction is an elite team working around the clock to maintain the highest standards of marine animal husbandry, veterinary science, and environmental stewardship.
Veterinary & Rescue Team
We deliver 24/7 medical surveillance, diagnostic imaging, and critical rehabilitation support. Operating out of the Virgin Islands’ leading sea turtle rehab facility, they work closely with regional authorities to treat injured wildlife.
Aquarists
All of Coral World Aquarists hold degrees in marine biology, environmental science, and biology. They combine scientific precision with daily care — managing complex water chemistry, designing naturalistic habitats, and ensuring optimal nutrition for our native of aquatic species.
Safety & Conservation Divers
Range from Rescue Divers to Divemaster and professional dive instructors, all trained to uphold the highest standards of guest safety and underwater risk management. Beyond guiding guests through Coral World’s marine experiences, our dive team shares a passion for marine education, encouraging responsible interactions with wildlife and inspiring a deeper appreciation for coral reefs, marine ecosystems, and the importance of protecting our oceans for future generations.
Animal Welfare Specialists
All of our Specialists practice positive-reinforcement training that supports providing choice and control to the animals through IMATA-accredited staff training programs. Focused on proactive healthcare, behavioral stimulation, and trust-based relationships, they deliver individualized care tailored to the needs of every individual animal in our facility.