Megan Takahashi

Megan Takahashi serves San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance as a Senior Research Associate in Disease Investigations. In this role, she performs post mortem necropsy examinations on our collection animals as well as native wildlife found on grounds. During necropsy, she collects tissues for other SDZWA researchers, including valuable samples for our Frozen Zoo®. Helping maintain our museum-accredited Pathology Archive of microscopic slides, tissue blocks, frozen tissues, formalin-fixed tissues, and gross photos each containing several thousands of records is an important part of her job. Her responsibilities also include working in the histology lab, running the tissue digester, training our Veterinary Externs in Pathology, and sending samples out for diagnostics.

Currently, Megan is working on a necropsy training tool for visiting veterinary students and international workshops. Megan also serves as safety representative for Disease Investigations.

Megan earned her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology from University of California, Davis. Her career in pathology started as a Gross Room Technician in the Surgical Pathology Department at University of California, San Diego, where she first learned to handle and process tissues for histological examination. Her favorite hobbies include enjoying nature while traveling, rock climbing, and paddle boarding.