Mike is the 'Father' of the Oceanographic Environmental Research Society (OERS) which he created in 1992. As a Founding Director and President of OERS, Mike has guided the organization through the growing pains that all young organizations experience. Mike is dedicated to protecting the environment and the animals who are injured or endangered through mankind's carelessness using his experience in emergency animal medicine and underwater diving. He likes to lead through example and setting the standard for others to follow or surpass. His dream is that OERS becomes a world recognized Canadian animal rescue organization with treatment/rescue facilities in each province and territory.

In 2002 he was the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, for his environmental initiatives with OERS.This award recognizes "extraordinary leadership, innovation and creativity in a select  group of individuals that have made superlative contributions to their communities and the province through voluntary action".

The Canadian Vet' as she was fondly referred to by other Katrina animal rescuers, is one of the founding Directors of the Oceanographic Environmental Research Society (OERS).  She leads the organization's scientific and rescue initiatives and hopes one day that OERS will indeed be a leader in both. She is proud of how OERS has melded the needs of both land and sea animals in its work and hopes that by example others will follow. 

She is a recipient of both the Order of Ontario in 2001 and the Queens Jubilee Medal in 2002. She says her life's goal is to make a difference in improving the lives of our world's animals and that of mankind as well. When questioned about why she does this, she states that irregardless of whether man has caused the troubles our animal friends find themselves or not, it is up to all of us to make it better and make a difference.

As the ‘True Convert’, Karim started out as a volunteer and with time, dedication and commitment, he now joins the Board of Directors for the Oceanographic Environmental Research Society.  Karim brings a great deal passion and experience in the areas of volunteer co-ordination and research.  The passion and drive of the “Father” and “The Canadian Vet” are truly contagious!  This cause is not only worthy but one that demands all of our attention and support.  As a small but thriving charity, OERS has made a significant impact on the Canadian landscape in the areas of education, research and rehabilitation.  OERS brings a level of awareness about marine mammals and their environment that is sorely lacking in our schools and our communities. I invite you to join OERS and grow with us in order to fulfill our dream of a volunteer network that spans across Canada!

Karim is the recipient of the 2003 Sherman Award for outstanding contributions to an environmental charity and The Government of Ontario 2003 Volunteer Service Award as a result of his contributions to OERS.

Nesime Askin is an animal loving individual who became devoted to OERS as a volunteer to share her passion for its cause and mandates. By applying the research skills she has gained from her experience as a graduate student, to the handy-dandy tasks as an artist, Nesime has been able to stretch her “flippers” to great lengths for OERS. She believes humans should be held responsible in protecting the environment and the livelihood of all the creatures living in it.

Nesime aspires to see OERS become a leader in the research, education and protection of Canadian marine mammal species for future generations. Nesime was awarded the 2002 Sherman Award and The Government of Ontario 2003 Volunteer Service Award as a result of her contributions to OERS.

Since 2007, Luke has been involved with many different projects while volunteering with OERS. He took over the role of Volunteer Coordinator in 2008 and has increased volunteerism in all aspects by recruiting and promoting volunteers. Luke is also very involved with the education and teaching branches of OERS, as he is a teaching assistant with all of the OERS run University of Toronto marine mammal courses and serves as a mentor for the OERS internship program. With a special interest in disaster response, Luke has trained and deployed on a number of OERS-DRD callouts. He is most proud of having helped with a horse rescue of over 200 wild mustangs in Nebraska, as well as rescueing stranded manatees from a culvert in Florida. “My fondest memories of volunteering with OERS are from the rare opportunities I was deployed on animal rescue missions. The amount of work done cannot be put into words, but the appreciation I got just by the look of these animals lets me know my effort is well worth it.” In addition to his responsibility as a volunteer coordinator, in 2009 Luke was made a member of the OERS Board of Directors.

Luke envisions OERS at the forefront of disaster response for animals in Canada, as well as setting the standard for both research and education of marine mammals.