Our Team
Owner David Mifsud
David Mifsud “Turtle Dave” is a certified professional wetland scientist through the International Society of Wetland Scientists, a certified professional ecologist through the Ecological Society of America, and Certified professional Wildlife Biologist through the Wildlife Society. He has worked for over 20 years in wildlife biology, wetland ecology, and habitat conservation and management, with an emphasis on herpetofauna. He is an authority in Michigan on conservation and management of amphibians and reptiles.
Learn More About DaveMelissa Sano
Melissa has been a part of HRM’s team since 2018. She is HRM’s Senior Manager and Human Resources Specialist she assists with general operations, animals care, and field surveys. She is formally a zookeeper at Potter Park Zoo, and Supervisor at Emergent Biosolutions. She has a Bachelors in Zoology from Michigan State University and a Masters in Conservation Biology from Prescott University.
Kotaro Seguchi
Kotaro has been with the HRM team since Spring of 2024. He is a herpetological technician team lead and assists with supervising field operations and supporting senior staff. He holds a Bachelors of Science from the University of Vermont in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and is passionate about the conservation of Michigan’s herpetofauna. He previously worked with Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes with the Applied Forest and Wildlife Ecology Laboratory at Michigan State University. Beyond work, Kotaro enjoys playing hockey, fishing/hunting, and hiking.
Nicole Bowen
Nicole is an alumni of Michigan State University. She has a Bachelors in Zoology with a double concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) and Zoo and Aquarium Science. She previously interned at Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX working with large African mammals. Her passion for herpetofauna sparked on her Conservation Medicine New Zealand study abroad where she saw the last sphenodon, the Tuatara. Her goal is to help save all animals, both big and small. Outside of work Nicole enjoys listening to audiobooks, camping, swimming, binge watching shows, and going on walks with her best friends.
Kendra Podbregar
Kendra is an alumni of Michigan Technological University. She has a Bachelors’ degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Previously, she worked with Tri-Basin NRD in Nebraska working on several vegetation clearing and maintenance projects for wildlife habitat. As a kid, she spent much of her time outdoors, hiking and camping with family which lead her to grow a passion for wildlife and the environment. Her goal is to learn more about herpetofauna and how to prevent species decline. Outside of work, Kendra enjoys bird watching, reading, antiquing, and baking.
Massimo Gulino
Massimo is a recent alumni of Northern Michigan University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in ecology. Previously Massimo worked at Vermont Center for Ecostudies as a future ecology intern conducting pollinator surveys, and montane bird banding. His passion for herps grew doing chemical and behavioral research on Blue-Spotted Salamanders during his time at NMU. His goal is to become a professor at the university level. In his free time, Massimo enjoys butterfly watching, birding, movies and reading.
Sean Stadler
Sean is an alumni of Michigan State University. He has a Bachelors’ degree in Environmental biology and Zoology. He has always had a love for reptiles and amphibians as a kid and spent much of his time outdoors, hiking and camping. His goal is to learn more about herpetofauna and how to prevent species decline as well as conservation. Outside of work, Sean enjoys herping, cooking, working out, motorcycles and wood working.
Jay Ziolkowski
Jay is an alumni of Aquinas College where he got his Bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems. Jay has had several job positions working herpetofauna including his Animal Technician position with Josh’s Frogs, and Amphibian Zookeeping positions with both the Detroit Zoological Society and the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. He is a lifelong amphibian enthusiast and enjoys building terrariums for his own amphibians in his spare time.
