At The Aquarium Vet, we are driven by a shared passion for aquatic life and veterinary medicine. Our team of experts brings together years of diverse experience, from treating exotic species to advancing the field of aquatic health. With a deep commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and education, each member of our team is dedicated to providing exceptional care and expertise. We are proud to collaborate with leading aquariums, research institutions, and professionals around the world, ensuring the best outcomes for aquatic animals in our care.

Dr Brett De Poister -  The Aquarium Vet

I am originally from Reading, Pennsylvania in the USA. My earliest childhood memories are all inspired by animals. Pretty from much from the day I started crawling I was in awe and chasing after any animal I came across. I developed a true love for ectothermic animals, and with the aid of my supportive parents grew a very large collection of tarantulas, fish, amphibians, and lizards.

By the age of 15 my passion for herpetology took me to Australia, where I studied with frog expert Michael J. Tyler at the University of Adelaide during a school summer break. During this visit to Australia I developed a project examining the effects of pollutants on the embryonic development of frogs. This project received international awards at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, The Intel Science Talent Search, and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

In 2003, I completed a Bachelor of Science in biology from Stony Brook University in New York. During this time I continued research throughout my studies and completed two internships at Merck Research Laboratories in Animal Pharmacology and was involved in researching nerve regeneration in zebra fish at Stony Brook University, which lead to a co-authorship in the publication Science.

After completing my bachelor degree, I worked as a project manager for a start-up company that created customized educational software for university level science courses. After several years in the education industry, I missed being involved with animal work, so a career change was in order. In 2007 I received the Dr. Jerry Thornton Academic Scholarship and moved to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands to attend St. Matthew’s School of Veterinary Medicine. After a year of study and lots of SCUBA diving the opportunity to move to Australia arose and in 2008 I returned to Australia to study veterinary medicine at Murdoch University in Western Australia.

In 2012 I moved to Victoria and began working at Dandenong Veterinary Hospital as a companion animal doctor and surgeon and part time work with The Aquarium Vet under the guidance of Dr. Rob Jones. In 2015 I started fulltime with The Aquarium Vet and in 2024 became Co-owner of The Aqurium Vet along with Dr. Luke Rss. I am the reagional veterinarian for SeaLife aquariums in Australia and New Zealand.  However I keep busy in lots of other exciting areas such as  sea turtle rehabilitation, zebra fish facilities, and the E-Aquarist course just to name a few.

Dr Luke Ross

From a very young age I realised I had a real passion for the sea and its creatures. My fascination for sea life stemmed from my grandfather who was an avid sailor and fisherman. As a young child I had a bedroom full of aquariums which I would stock with small fish and invertebrates I caught locally.

I studied Marine Biology degree at Flinders University in Adelaide, complemented by an Honours year investigating the growth rates of Green Lipped Abalone being fed diets containing various sources of protein. After graduating I worked in various aquaculture farms from Barramundi to Mussel farms.

In mid 1999 as the Melbourne Aquarium was nearing completion I was successful in obtaining a position as an aquarist. Being involved in the start up of a large public aquarium was a fantastic experience during which time I learnt much about fish health, husbandry, transport and life support systems. In my nearly six years at MAQ I successfully achieved the role of senior aquarist. Working with Dr Rob Jones at MAQ rekindled my interest in becoming a vet, so I successfully applied to the University of Quenslaand. During my veterinary studies I worked at UnderWater World as senior aquarist.

In late 2009 after graduating from Vet school I worked in a large busy mixed practise veterinary clinic. Soon after graduation I started to consult to Underwater World. In 2015 I started up my own consulting business, following my passion of fish vet work. I had the exclusive contract for the veterinary care of all animals for Sealife Mooloolaba, I also worked with many fish collectors and breeders.

I live with my partner of over 20 years and our two beautiful daughters. On my days off you'll find me spending time with my family, or if it is windy, racing about Moreton Bay on my windsurfer, often competing in the Bayside Sailboard Club.

In late 2017 I was very excited to be offered a veterinary role with The Aquarium Vet to start early 2018. I look forward to meeting you and helping with all your animal health enquiries.

Dr Melody Winterhalter

I’m originally from Switzerland, but grew up all over – including Japan, Australia, Switzerland and London – before settling back down in Australia again! I’ve always had a love of all animals but especially the marine ones. Ever since I could talk, I wanted to be a vet, and more specifically a marine animal vet!  

I completed my Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College in London, where I wrote one of my research projects on the feeding habits of elasmobranchs at the Melbourne Aquarium, and then moved back to Australia to work as a small animal veterinarian. After 5 years in this field, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to join The Aquarium Vet team part-time.  

 In my free time, I love traveling, snorkelling and SCUBA diving, and exploring Melbourne’s incredible food and drink scene. When I’m ready to unwind, you can find me on the couch with my cat, Pumpkin, a good book, and a cup of tea. 

Dr. Josh Llinas

Dr Josh moved to Australia from New York in 1999 after completing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. Here, he completed his Veterinary Science degree with honours at the University of Queensland and a Masters of Clinical Medicine and Surgery through Murdoch University.

Throughout his career, there has been a focus on reptile and amphibian medicine. This passion stemmed from years of herping, working with and keeping many these unique animals (including green iguanas, basilisks, anoles, leopard geckos, king snakes, rat snakes, pythons, turtles, tree frogs and yes, cane toads. This resulted in an understanding of joys, the pitfalls of working with herps and a plan to eventually work exclusively with these animals.

Dr Josh joined The Aquarium Vet Team as a part time consulting veterinarian in 2024 and he routinely consults at Sea Life Sunshine Coast Aquarium. 

Josh is a proud pet parent to a green tree python called Virgil, a rough scale python called Deloris, a three-legged turtle called Mr T and two cheeky cats called Diego and Bumble.

Outside of work, Josh enjoys rock climbing, kayaking and herping.