Wilds 2023 Conservation Symposium
Speaker Bios
Dr. Barbara Wolfe
Associate Professor - Avian, Exotic, and Zoological Medicine - Colorado State University
Dr. Wolfe, DVM, PhD, DACZM, has practiced medicine and conducted research in zoos and conservation centers for over 25 years. She worked for the National Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, The Wilds, the Columbus Zoo, and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and taught at North Carolina State University and Ohio State University’s Colleges of Veterinary Medicine prior to coming to Colorado State University. She received her BS in molecular genetics from the University of California, Davis, and her DVM and PhD in reproductive physiology from Texas A&M University. Dr. Wolfe has published over 70 scientific articles and book chapters in zoological medicine and participated in species health conservation projects in China, Thailand, Laos, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ethiopia, and Kenya. She's contributed to four different residency training programs in zoological and wildlife medicine, training many of the veterinarians currently working throughout the US in zoological institutions. She currently serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute, the Strategic Planning Committee for the Wildlife Disease Association, and as chair of the Wildlife Exam committee for the American College of Zoological Medicine. Her current research interests include biochemical assessment of chronic stress, understanding microbiome impacts on immunity, and developing assisted reproductive techniques in species in the wild and in human care.
Cody Cseplo
Animal Management Specialist - The Wilds
Cody Cseplo has been an Animal Management Specialist at The Wilds since 2016 and is one of two employees that specializes in rhinos. He has managed large breeding groups of Southern white rhinos and greater one-horned rhinos. Cody also aids in the care and record keeping of the rest The Wilds ungulate collection, with a particular focus on the bison herd. Cody graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from The University of Findlay with a major in Animal Science and membership in the Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society. He is the AZA North American Regional Studbook Keeper for greater one-horned rhinoceros and serves on the steering committee of the AZA Rhinoceros Taxon Advisory Group. Cody also serves on the Board of Directors of the International Rhino Keeper Association.
Dr. Budhan Pukazhenthi
Research Physiologist (Ungulates) - Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Dr. Pukazhenthi is a Research Physiologist at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, VA. He leads the ungulate conservation program and manages research on several rare and endangered species including the Przewalski’s horse, Persian onager, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Scimitar-horned oryx, and the Brow-antlered deer. His research focuses on improving animal management practices, development of assisted reproductive technologies, stem cell biology, and genomics (for developing metapopulation management strategies for endangered species). He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles. He is the Chair of AZA’s Biobanking SAG; a member of several IUCN Specialist Groups including equids, cervids, and tapirs; and serves on the Steering Committee of multiple AZA Taxon Advisory Groups.
Dr. Parker Pennington
On-site Operations Manager and Co-PI – American Institute for Rhinoceros Science (AIRS) – Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)
Parker Pennington, PhD, is an Onsite Operations Manager with the Linder Center for Research of Endangered WIldlife (CREW) at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and is based at a collaborating institution, The Wilds. Originally from Alabama, Dr. Pennington earned her B.S. degree in Animal Sciences in 2007, with a minor in Psychology from Louisiana State University. She stayed on to earn her M.S. from Louisiana State University in 2009 in Reproductive Physiology of Rare and Endangered Species, studying common eland (Taurotragus oryx) estrous cycle characterization in collaboration with with Audubon Institute’s Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species (ACRES). After working in a human stem cell lab with Tulane University she earned her PhD in 2016 from George Mason University in partnership with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) investigating the influence of metabolic and reproductive status on the equine uterine proteome. Dr. Pennignton then completed a postdoctoral appointment with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Beckman Center with Reproductive Sciences in 2020. She focused on development of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) as a part of the Northern White Rhino Initiative. After a fellowship with SCBI in 2021 investigating the use of an equine endometrial cell culture model for modeling the impact of metabolic dysfunction, she joined CREW in 2022 as a part of the American Institute for Rhinoceros Science (AIRS) project, funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Her current role with CREW includes onsite project management of the AIRS project at The Wilds (Cumberland, OH) overseeing sample collection in the white rhinoceros population housed there as well as collaboration with other institutions participating in the AIRS project. She also fills the role of Reproductive Dysfunction Pillar Leader within AIRS, investigating the prevalence of reproductive dysfunction and its association with management strategy and other biomarkers in North America’s African rhino population.
Dr. Frances Sivakoff
Associate Professor – Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology – The Ohio State University Marion
Dr. Frances Sivakoff is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology at The Ohio State University. Dr. Sivakoff and her lab study how land-use legacy, environmental contaminants, and habitat management affect biotic interactions and ecosystem services. Since 2019, the Sivakoff Lab has conducted research at The Wilds, which is one of the largest areas of recovering surface mine land in North America. Within grasslands at The Wilds, the Sivakoff Lab investigates the impacts of reclamation history (reclaimed pre- vs. post-SMCRA) on the biotic interactions of Lotus corniculatus (bird’s-foot trefoil), a legume that was commonly included in reclamation seed mixes.
Liza Butler
Restoration Ecology Associate – The Wilds
Liza Butler joined The Wilds Ecology Department as the Restoration Ecology Associate in October 2021. She leads and assists with numerous restoration projects such as tree and pollinator plantings, invasive species eradication, prescribed burning, implementing habitat management objectives, developing workshops, and mentoring apprentices. Liza received her bachelor’s degree in Conservation and Management from Ohio University. She is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist and has her commercial pesticide applicator license. She has 11+ years’ experience in invasive species management, forest management, and pollinator plantings. Liza is trained in chainsaw safety, Best Management Practices, and wildfire control.
Dr. G. Matthew Davies
Associate Professor in Soil and Plant Community Restoration – School of Environmental and Natural Resources – The Ohio State University
Dr. Davies oversees the ADFERLab at The Ohio State University and has a background in wildland fire behavior and vegetation community ecology. Originally from Wales, he studied at the University of Wales Lampeter and The University of Edinburgh. His PhD focused on the use of traditional managed burning on peatland ecosystems in Scotland. Whilst a Post-Doc at the University of Washington he studied long-term community dynamics in the sagebrush-steppe in relation to wildfire and cheatgrass invasion. Matt's research interests center on understanding drivers of fire regimes and how ecological disturbances and restoration control ecosystem structure and function. He also has a thing about pawpaws!
Dr. Rachel Gabor
Assistant Professor – Watershed Hydrology – School of Environment and Natural Resources – The Ohio State University
Rachel Gabor is an assistant professor in the School of Environment and Natural Resources at the Ohio State University. She has a BS in chemistry from Harvey Mudd College, an MS in Chemistry from University of Minnesota, and a PhD in Environmental Studies along with an MS in Water Resources Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder. She works at the intersection of hydrology and biogeochemistry and her research focuses on understanding how human alterations to the landscape affect water quality in streams, rivers, and lakes.
Dr. Viorel Popescu
Associate Professor – Conservation Biology – Ohio University
Viorel Popescu is an Associate Professor of Conservation Biology at Ohio University, Biological Sciences. He obtained a PhD in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine, Orono (2011). Research in his lab focuses broadly on understanding wildlife population responses to human disturbance, with a focus on large carnivores and herpetofauna, with the ultimate goal to inform management and conservation strategies. His research relies on a combination of experimental and observational approaches, and biostatistics to evaluate the responses of individuals, populations and communities to various environmental factors. He currently teaches upper-level undergraduate courses and graduate courses in Conservation Biology, Wildlife Management and Population Ecology at Ohio University. He is a life member of the Society for Conservation Biology and a member of the IUCN Bear Specialist Group.
Genelle Uhrig
¬Director of Ecology – The Wilds
Genelle Uhrig, MS, is a Conservation Biologist with 7 years of experience in field ecology and conservation genetics. She has a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. She specializes in non-invasive genetic studies utilizing scat and environmental DNA (eDNA) for species ID, individual ID, and parentage analyses. She has worked with a variety of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species and currently works with native species reintroduction efforts at The Wilds, including Eastern hellbenders and the federally threatened, state endangered American burying beetle. In addition to working with native Ohio wildlife species, Genelle also oversees restoration efforts at The Wilds.
Dr. James Dooley
Bill and Martha Lovejoy Professor of Biology and Director of Conservation Science – Muskingum University
Jim Dooley grew up in Washington, D.C. He attended the University of Virginia in Charlottesville for his undergraduate degree (British Literature) and then stayed at UVA to complete his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Science. He and advisor were awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation just as he was finishing his Ph.D. which created a post-doctoral position for him at Blandy Experimental Farm in Boyce, VA. That research position lasted from 1993 until 1998. In 1998 he joined the faculty of Muskingum University (then College) as an Assistant Professor of Biology and Director of Conservation Science. Through his years at Muskingum, he has taught freshman biology courses as well as upper level courses in areas such as animal behavior, ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. In addition, he has worked with approximately 80 students in directing their senior research and is author or coauthor on 24 research papers. Aside from his professional activities, Jim enjoys focusing on photography and playing music with a variety of players and band-mates.
Dr. Danny Ingold
Homer A. Anderson Distinguished Professor of Natural Science and Biology Department Chair – Muskingum University
Danny Ingold grew up in Texas and attended East Texas State University in Commerce for his undergraduate degree in Biology, where he also received his M.S. degree in Biology (Ornithology). He then attended Mississippi State University and completed his Ph.D. examining woodpecker/European starling competitive interactions for nest cavities. Danny was hired by Muskingum University in the fall of 1989. During his time at Muskingum Danny has taught courses including plant systematics, advanced botany, general ecology, vertebrate natural history, as well as discussion courses in environmental science, conservation science and animal studies. He initiated research at the Wilds in 1998 and has worked with dozens of students over the years studying grassland birds. He is the lead author on 17 refereed publications. In addition to his professional work, Danny volunteers weekly at the Beckett House in New Concord assisting with resident activities. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and guitar and hanging out with his wife Robin.
Dr. Joe Smith
Vice President – The Wilds
Joe is currently the Vice President at The Wilds, where he has worked since November of 2021. Prior to that, Joe spent 18 years serving as part of the senior leadership team at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo in Indiana. Growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Joe attended Louisiana State University for both undergraduate and veterinary school. Building a career in animal welfare and conservation, Joe currently serves in numerous advisory roles including as the Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP) veterinary advisor, the Passerine Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) steering committee member, the Monotreme and Marsupial TAG veterinary advisor, the Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) North American Songbirds treasurer, and Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation inspector.
Priya Bhattacharya
PhD Student – School of Environment and Natural Resources – The Ohio State University
Priya Bhattacharya is a graduate student at The Ohio State University. She is studying environmental social science at the School of Environment and Natural Resources under Dr. Sayeed Mehmood. Her study is titled ‘Factors Affecting the Willingness to Pay for Forest Restoration at The Wilds in Ohio’.
Madeline Winans
Program Coordinator – Center for Human-Animal Interactions Research and Education (CHAIRE) – The Ohio State University
Madeline Winans received her B.S. in Zoology from The Ohio State University (OSU) before continuing on to receive her M.S. in Animal Science, also from OSU. During her master’s, she conducted research evaluating the effect of transport and relocation on the welfare of the California sea lions at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and has presented those findings at multiple national and international conferences. Madeline serves on the International Society for Wildlife Endocrinology (ISWE)’s Trainee Affairs Committee and the Zoological Association of America (ZAA)’s Animal Welfare Committee. In her current position as Program Coordinator for the Center for Human-Animal Interactions Research and Education (CHAIRE), she facilitates research, education, and outreach opportunities within the areas of companionship and zooeyia, welfare and behavior, and conservation.
