Extinctopedia tells a complex story\, not just of those who are extinct but also of those in greatest pe ril\, with explanations of what threatens their survival. It is also a sto ry of hope&mdash\;hopes for animals that have been rediscovered\, hope in the form of newly-discovered animals\, and hope that we might hear the war ning call and act to preserve the amazing biodiversity of our fragile plan et for future generations to come.
\nYou&rsquo\;re invited to grab y our family and friends and join us as Smithsonian scientists highlight inf ormation found in the Smithsonian&rsquo\;s book\, Extinctopedia: Disco ver what we have lost\, what is at risk\, and how we can preserve the dive rsity of our fragile planet. In this talk\, you will discover: \;
\nExtinctopedia provides a fascinating catalog of life on earth an d encourages the reader to find ways of preserving the incredible diversit y of species\, so we may all thrive and life itself can endure on this ama zing and beautiful planet.
\nAbout the Presenters: \;
\nBrian Gratwicke is a conservation biologis t and leads the amphibian conservation programs at the Smithsonian's Natio nal Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Brian&rsquo\;s focus is buildi ng capacity to conserve amphibians in Appalachia and Panama\, developing o utreach and educational programs and exhibits to build public support for amphibian conservation\, and research to develop tools to reintroduce amph ibians back into the wild. At SCBI\, Brian collaborates with Panamanian co nservation biologists and zoo partners to build an ex-situ amphibian facil ity in Panama. The Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project based at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Gamboa maintains and gro ws captive assurance populations of species most heavily affected by the d eadly amphibian chytrid fungus. One major research focus is developing app lied solutions for the amphibian chytrid fungus\, including research into the area of beneficial skin bacteria and identifying genetic traits associ ated with resistance to the disease. He also conducts research into emergi ng diseases and the effects of climate change on Appalachian salamanders.< /p>\n
Gratwicke grew up in Zimbabwe and began his conservation work rese arching the impacts to freshwater fish in Africa. In 2000\, he was awarded a Rhodes scholarship that took him to Oxford\, where he studied marine fi sh communities in the British Virgin Islands for his doctorate. After comp leting his doctorate\, Gratwicke moved to Washington\, D.C.\, where he wor ked as a program administrator and then assistant director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Save the Tiger Fund.
\nDr. G ina Della Togna is a researcher and conservationist\, currently s erving as the Executive Director of the Amphibian Survival Alliance and a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Dr. Del la Togna earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences\, with a specialization i n Molecular and Cell Biology\, from the University of Maryland\, USA. Her groundbreaking research focuses on the reproductive biology of amphibians and the development of Assisted Reproductive Technologies for endangered s pecies facing challenges in reproduction. As the co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group ARTs and Biobanking working group since 2017 an d co-author of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP)\, Dr. Della T ogna plays a vital role in advancing conservation efforts for amphibian sp ecies worldwide. Additionally\, she is part of the IUCN SSC ASG Atelopus T ask Force and member of the Atelopus Survival Initiative\, co-chairing the Ex Situ Working Group. Dr. Della Togna serves on the Advisory Board of th e Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund\, further showcasing her com mitment to species preservation. Her dedication to amphibian conservation extends to her involvement in global\, regional\, and local initiatives\, where she fosters collaborations and spearheads innovative projects to saf eguard amphibian populations. Her expertise and passion have made her a le ading figure in the field of conservation biology\, inspiring positive cha nge for the future of amphibians and their ecosystems.
\nThis progra
m is sponsored by the
Upco ming and previously broadcast author talks can be viewed here.
\nhttps://alexandria.libnet.info/ event/13497802 URL;VALUE=URI:https://alexandria.libnet.info/event/13497802 ATTACH:https://static.libnet.info/images/events/alexandria/extinctopedia.j pg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR