Dr. James W. Carpenter has been a clinical and research veterinarian for 39 years in the field of exotic animal, wildlife (including endangered species) and zoo animal medicine (oversees or has co-overseen the veterinary care at three Kansas zoos).

He has assisted in developing an internationally-recognized program in Zoological Medicine at KSU and has trained 36 Interns and Residents in Exotic Animal/Zoological Medicine.

He is the author of over 385 publications on the medical aspects and captive management of exotic animals, wildlife, and zoo animals, and is the editor of the Exotic Animal Formulary (1996, 2001, 2005, 2013) and co-editor of Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery (2004, 2012). Dr. Carpenter has been the Editor of the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (1987-1992).

President of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (1998-1999); President (2006-2007) of the Association of Avian Veterinarians; President (2008-2009) of the American College of Zoological Medicine; and was named Exotic DVM of the Year for 2000. Dr. Carpenter received the Emil Dolensek Award, American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, in 2004. In 2002, Dr. Carpenter was awarded the Edwin J. Frick Professorship in Veterinary Medicine from the KSU College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2009, he was named an Alumni of the Year by the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and received the TJ Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year Award in 2012.

Dr. Carpenter is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery (1994-present) and on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine.