Dr. Rikki Alley

My Motivation

I was fortunate to be surrounded by animals from an early age. While our home was always full of pets, I was fascinated by all wildlife and eagerly sought opportunities to interact with and care for animals whenever I could. As a child, my parents encouraged that passion by allowing me to help rehabilitate injured birds through the Audubon Society, an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for animal care. I attended California State University, Long Beach, where I initially pursued a degree in Fine Art. My artwork focused on creating animal sculptures, combining scientific observation with artistic expression. Ultimately, I followed my love of science and graduated with a degree in Marine Biology. Outside the classroom, I volunteered in wildlife rehabilitation, caring for marine mammals, seabirds, and other local wildlife. During my final semester, I lived on Catalina Island, studying the island's marine ecosystems while conducting research on the effects of industrial chemicals on marine life.

Education