• MS, Forest Resources and Conservation (Ecological Restoration), University of Florida (2023)

  • Graduate Certificate, Care and Conservation of Aquatic Animals, University of Florida (2023)

  • BS, Geography, University of New Mexico (2020)

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Brandon Bourassa is the President & CEO of the Zoo Herpetology Association and a graduate from the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences at the University of Florida. He currently serves as Conservation Coordinator for the New Mexico Herpetological Society and is part of the Coexisting With Pitvipers Working Group for Advocates for Snake Preservation. He has worked as an ecological consultant for the New Mexico Film Industry, working to mitigate human/wildlife conflict on film and television productions. Prior to his academic career, he worked as an animal keeper at several zoological institutions, including the Oklahoma City Zoo, Gatorland Orlando, and Albuquerque BioPark.

Research interests

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  • Mitigation of human/venomous snake and human/crocodile conflict

  • Paleobiogeography of herpetofauna

  • Invasion ecology of herpetofauna

  • Conservation of herpetofauna

  • Captive management of venomous snakes, crocodilians, and other reptiles in zoological settings

  • Spatial ecology of North American pit vipers and Sceloporine lizards

Publications and Current Projects

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MS Supervisory Committee

Professional Affiliations

Professional Experience

  • Zoo Herpetology Association, Norman, OK, President/CEO (2024-Present)

  • Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, TX, Senior Herpetology Keeper (2023-2024)

  • Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy, Rodeo, NM, Field Biologist (2023)

  • Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE, Continuing Education Instructor (2022-2023)

  • New Mexico Film Industry, Albuquerque/Santa Fe, NM, Supervising Ecological Consultant (2017-2023)

  • Albuquerque BioPark, Albuquerque, NM, Herpetology Keeper II (2021-2022)

  • Albuquerque BioPark, Albuquerque, NM, Temporary Primate Keeper (2017)

  • Gatorland, Orlando, FL, Lead Keeper (Off-Property Tanks) (2013-2015)

  • Skulls Unlimited/Museum of Osteology, Oklahoma City, OK, Museum Assistant (2012-2013)

  • Honolulu Zoo, Honolulu, HI, Intern (Herpetology) (2012)

  • Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma City, OK, Animal Technician (Children’s Zoo) (2006-2010)

Teaching Experience

  • University of Florida (Online), Fall 2022 - Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles (WIS 4934)

  • Metropolitan Community College, Fall 2022 - Reptiles of Nebraska (Continuing Education)

  • Metropolitan Community College, Fall 2022 - Reptiles of the Desert (Continuing Education)

Certifications/Professional Development

  • Ecology Studies - Conservation Biology and Biodiversity - Rice University (2021)

  • Heartsaver First Aid, CPR, AED - American Heart Association (2021)

  • IS-00700.b - An Introduction to the National Incident Management System, Federal Emergency Management Administration (2020)

  • Advanced Studies in Coral Reef Resilience, The Nature Conservancy (2020)

  • Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, Federal Emergency Management Administration (2020)

  • Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100, Federal Emergency Management Administration (2020)

  • Global IUCN Red List Assessor, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (2020)

  • Crocodilian Capture and Restraint, St. Augustine Alligator Farm (2015)

  • Crocodilian Biology and Captive Management, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (2015)

  • Open Water Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (2012)

  • Reptile and Amphibian Training and Enrichment, Flavio Morrissiey (2008)