Julia Ponder, DVM, MPH served as Executive Director of The Raptor Center from 2007-2021 and Associate Dean for External Partnerships and Engagement at the University of Minnesota (UMN) College of Veterinary Medicine from 2021 until she retired in 2024. Julia earned both a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science in 1982 and a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1984 from Texas A&M University. She had 17 years of experience as a small animal practitioner before joining UMN in 2002 as a Staff Veterinarian at The Raptor Center (TRC), one of the leading programs in the world for raptor medicine. Dr. Ponder was named interim director of TRC in 2005.
Dr. Ponder’s career has advanced the knowledge and practice of avian medicine, with special focus on wild birds and conservation. She has lectured across the globe and as a leading authority in the field of avian orthopedics, she has authored many book chapters and peer-reviewed conference proceedings. Over her academic career, Dr. Ponder also implemented research projects as well as education, outreach, and training programs, primarily focused on wildlife.
In 2025, Dr. Ponder was named the T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year.
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