TÕNoya Thompson
Position:
Shape—North America Committee
Born and raised in The Bahamas, it was easy for T'Noya to
fall in love with marine life. She began the path to her career at a small
aquarium when she was 12 years old. The excitement of diving, feeding the
animals and speaking to the public, became all too addicting to deny. From that
point on it was a solidified career choice.
In her early teen years, her family relocated to Houston, Texas. There, she
continued to volunteer with animal- and people-based organizations. In 2000,
she graduated high school and began college at San Jacinto Central. TÕNoya
received an academic and dance scholarship while attending the college. After
graduating with a two-year degree in Chemistry, she transferred to Texas
A&M at Galveston. While pursuing her Marine Biology degree; she volunteered
at Moody Gardens, The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and with various
marine research projects in Galveston.
During her final semester at Texas A&M, she achieved an internship at the
Aquarium of Moody Gardens in the Penguin/Pinniped department. It was here that
she experienced the efficiency of operant conditioning, thus, falling in love
with animal training and enrichment practices. Near her graduation date, she
applied for a paid position with the department. She was awarded the position
and began working at Moody Gardens in 2005.
Since beginning her career at Moody Gardens, TÕNoya has worked with a variety
of taxa. She has participated in many projects, workshops and conferences. She
continues her love of working on both an educational and conservational level
with the community. TÕNoya is currently serving as President of the Galveston
Chapter of AAZK and on the National Conservation Committee of AAZK. TÕNoya is
excited to be a part of The North American Regional Shape Committee and she is
looking forward to the work ahead of her!
Return to
North America Regional Committee
