EDUCATION
2012 Ph.D. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute/ Reproductive Physiology
West Virginia University
- Dissertation: Physiological and Endocrine Factors Contributing to Acyclicity in Captive Female African Elephant (Loxodonta africanca)
2008 M.S. West Virginia University Reproductive Physiology
- Thesis: Effects of Induced Acute Phase Response in Sheep (Ewes) on Early Embryo Survival
2002 B.S. West Virginia University Animal & Veterinary Science
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
2016-Present Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida
- Current research: The Effects of Human-Elephant Conflict on Elephant Physiology; Recovery of DNA/Viral RNA from Elephant Trunk Epithelial Cells
- Undergraduate courses taught: Physiology of Reproduction, Honors Human Physiology, Honors and General Human Anatomy (+1100 students per semester), Exercise Physiology Anatomy, Overview of Select Medical Careers, and Laboratory Virtual Simulations in Physiology. Guest lectures in Neurobiology.
- Graduate courses taught: Laboratory Virtual Simulations in Physiology and Guest lecture in Neuroanatomy
- Co-coordinator Human Physiology laboratory
2013-2016 Faculty, Department of Natural Sciences, San Jacinto College
- Undergraduate courses taught: Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Pathophysiology, and General Biology I and II
- T-STEM Program Mentor
- Faculty Collaborator for Adjunct faculty
- College General Education Assessor
- Co-developer for Zoo & Aquarium Technology curriculum
2012-2014 Volunteer, Houston Zoo
- Volunteer keeper in the Reptile and Amphibian House working under Dr. Stan Mays
- Participated in keeper talks to the public regarding wildlife conservation, habitat preservation, illegal wildlife trade, and coexistence with wildlife.
2006-2012 Graduate Teaching Assistant/ Research Fellow, West Virginia University (WVU) /Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI)
- Endocrinology/Physiology Laboratory Supervisor at WVU
- Developed ELISAs and RIAs for hormone/cytokine detection
- Worked with over 70 AZA accredited zoological facilities, Elephant Managers Association, International Society for Wildlife Endocrinology, and the Elephant TAG during my doctoral research
- Participated in the annual SCBI Conservation Festival and monthly talks to the public regarding my research and wildlife conservation topics at the Front Royal, VA campus and National Zoo
- Presentation of data at national and international conferences and meetings
- Undergraduate courses taught: Values and Ethics course (100+ students), Reproductive Physiology laboratory
- Graduate Teaching Assistant for undergraduate Food and Society course (120+ students)
HONORS AND AWARDS
2021 Featured in Gray Matters, Newsletter of the Elephant Manager’s Association – Members on the Move for Conservation Vol. 25, Issue 4.
2021 UCF-COM Director’s Teaching Faculty Development Award – $500
2020 UCF NACE Competency Faculty Champion
2020 UCF Faculty Excellence- New Women Faculty Community
2020 UCF-COM Director’s Teaching Faculty Development Award – $2,000
2020 UCF Women’s History Month Honoree
2019 UCF Faculty Member of the Game, UCF Athletics, Football Game September 14
2019 UCF-COM Director’s Teaching Faculty Development Award – $2,500
2012 Telly Award- 33rd Annual Telly Awards- “A Trunk of Love”
2010 Featured in the Journal of the Elephant Managers Association “Researching the Researcher” Vol. 23, No. 1
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2012-present International Society of Wildlife Endocrinology (ISWE)
• Communications Committee since 2018
2008-present. Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
• Animal Health Committee since 2019
2008-present Elephant Managers Association (EMA)
• Conservation Committee since 2020
2016-presnt Global Underwater Explorers (GUE)
• Certified Cave and Technical Scuba diver
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES
Editorial Board
2020-Present Animal & Veterinary Sciences Journal
Journal Reviewer
2017-Present Reproduction in Domestic Animals
2021-Present Pachyderm
Abstract Reviewer
2019-Present International Society of Wildlife Endocrinology
2017-Present International Congress on Conservation Biology
Grant Reviewer
2020-Present AZA Conservation and Science Grants
2020-Present EMA Conservation and Science Grants
Committees
External
2020-Present Member- Conservation Committee
Elephant Managers Association
2019-Present Member- Animal Health Committee
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
2018-Present Member- Communications Committee
International Society of Wildlife Endocrinology
Internal (University of Central Florida)
2021 Chair- College of Medicine, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award Committee
2021 Member- UCF Faculty Senate
2021 Member- UCF COM Faculty Senate Representative Steering Committee
2021 Member- UCF COM Faculty Senate Representative Committee on Committees
2021-present Faculty Advisor – UCF Student Organ Donor Association
2020 Chair- College of Medicine Teaching Incentive Award Committee
2020-present Faculty Advisor- UCF Cardiovascular Alliance
2020-present Faculty Advisor- UCF American Medical Women’s Association
2020-presnt Member- Search Committee COM BSBS
2020-present Member- BSBS Clinical Internship Review Committee
2019-present Chair- University Course Review Committee
2019-present Vice Chair- University Undergraduate Council
2019-present Member- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences Course Review Committee
2019-present Member- Honors College Strategic Planning Committee
2019 Chair- College of Medicine, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award Committee
2019 Member- College of Medicine, Research Incentive Award Committee
2019 Faculty Marshall for College of Medicine, Fall Commencement
2018-present Judge- Showcase for Undergraduate Research Excellence
2018-present Member- University Course Review Committee
2018-present Member- HPA I and II Safety Committee
2018-present Member- Marisa Gennaro Scholarship Committee
2018-present Member- Mock Interviewer Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law
GRANTS (Principal or Co-Principal Investigator)
2011 Morris Animal Foundation $32,022 Determining the efficacy of a cyclic regimen of Equidone for treating ovarian acyclicity in African elephants.
2010 Equitox Pharma Coompany $20,000 Determining the efficacy of a cyclic regimen of Equidone for treating ovarian acyclicity in African elephants. (In kind donation of Equidone)
2010 Pfizer $30,000 Efficacy of Cabergoline to treat hyperprolactinemia-induced ovarian acyclicity in African elephant females. (In kind donation of Cabergoline)
2010 Sea World/ Bush Gardens Conservation Fund $5,000 Efficacy of Cabergoline to treat hyperprolactinemia-induced ovarian acyclicity in African elephant females.
2009 Beckman-Coulter $16,500 Effects of age and reproductive status on serum concentrations of Inhibin and Anti-Müllerian Hormone in male and female elephants. (In kind donation of hormone assay kits)
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-Reviewed
Dow TL, Cross DL, Brown JL. (2020). Determining the efficacy of domperidone and cabergoline for treating ovarian acyclicity in captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 51(1): 13-24.
Dow TL, Brown JL. (2012). Evidence of hyperprolactinemia is associated with acyclicity in female zoo African (Loxodonta africana) elephants. Reproduction, Fertility and Development. 24(8): 1019-1027.
Dow TL, Roudebush, WE, Parker N, Brown JL. (2011). Anti-Müllerian Hormone in captive Asian (Elephas maximus) and African (Loxodonta africana) elephants. Theriogenology. 75:620-627.
Dow TL, Holásková I, Brown JL. (2011). Results of the third Reproductive Assessment Survey of North American Asian (Elephas maximus) and African (Loxodonta africana) female elephants. Zoo Biology. 29:1-13.
Dow TL, Rogers-Neiman G, Holásková I, Elsasser TH, Dailey RA. (2010). Synthesis of cytokines and acute phase proteins in early pregnant ewes after challenge with peptidoglycan-polysaccharide (PG-PS). Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 39(2):147-154.
Invited
Dow TL. (2021). Botswana Elephant Die Off: What we know and should expect for the future of the species. Journal of the Elephant Managers Association. August 2021. Vol. 32, No. 2
Dow TL. (2018). The importance of hydration during diving. Quest. Vol. 9, No. 4.
Dow TL. (2017). Reemergence of New World screwworm in endangered Florida Key deer.
International Animal Health Journal. 4(1):38-41.
Book Chapters
Dow TL. (2011). Elephant Natural History. In: Elephant Husbandry Resource Guide. Olson, D. (ed).
Books
Worley M, Dow T (2019). Human Physiology: Experimental Concepts and Clinical Applications. 3rd Edition. Bluedoor Publishing.
Dow T, Worley M. (2018). Human Physiology: Experimental Concepts and Clinical Applications. 2nd Edition. Bluedoor Publishing.
Dow T, Worley M. (2017). Human Physiology: Experimental Concepts and Clinical Applications. 1st Edition. Bluedoor Publishing.
CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS
Presentations at Professional Meetings
Dow TL, Cross DL, Brown JL. (October 2019). Understanding prolactin regulation and determining the efficacy of cabergoline and domperidone to mitigate prolactin-associated ovarian cycle problems in zoo African elephants (Loxodonta africana). 16th International Elephant Conservation and Research Symposium, International Elephant Foundation. South Africa
Dow TL, Cross DL, Brown JL. (August 2017). Determining the efficacy of dopamine agonist, cabergoline, and antagonist, domperidone, for treating ovarian acyclicity in Zoo African elephants (Loxodonta africana). International Society of Wildlife Endocrinology. Orlando, FL
Dow TL, Parker FN, Roudebush W, Brown JL. (October 2010). Influence of age and gender on secretion of anti-Mullerian hormone in Asian (Elephas maximus) and African (Loxodonta africana) elephants. Elephant Managers Association. Pittsburgh, PA
INVITED PRESENTATIONS
2021 Understanding prolactin regulation and determining the efficacy of cabergoline and domperidone to mitigate prolactin-associated ovarian cycle problems in zoo African elephants (Loxodonta africana).
Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences Friday Seminar 12 February
2013 “Wildlife Rehabilitation”
Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
2012 “Endocrine and Physiological Factors Contributing to Acyclicity in Captive Female African Elephants (Loxodonta africana).”
Waynesburg University, Department of Biology
2011 “Elephants!”
Morgantown, West Virginia Girl Scouts
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND FIELDWORK
Field Experience
2019 Elephant sedations, biological sampling, and radio collaring; wildlife identification, camera trap set up, Human-elephant/wildlife conflict mitigation
2003-2004 Animal behavior observation and documentation; operant conditioning; proper animal restraint and handling; blood collection in elephants via ear and saphenous veins
2002 Proper technique in handling venomous reptiles
2002 Embryo collection in ruminants and equines
2001-2002 Artificial insemination and pregnancy detection via rectal palpations and/or ultrasonography in ruminants and small carnivores
1999-2002 Estrous detection in small and large ruminants; blood collection in ruminants
Lab Experience
2010-2012 Iodination of prolactin for use in radioimmunoassay
2010 Analysis and validated anti-Mullerian hormone enzyme-linked immunosorbent in Elephas maximus and Loxodonta africana
2008 Analysis via radioimmunoassay of progestogens and prolactin in Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus
2006 Analysis via radioimmunoassay of progesterone and tumor necrosis factor- in ovis aries
MENTORSHIPS & COLLABORATIONS
Postdoctoral Scientists
2020-present Mentor, TBD, International Society of Wildlife Endocrinology Mentor/Mentee Annual Conference Workshop
Graduate Students
University of Central Florida
2021 Chair, MS, Lindsey Groszer, Endocrine causes of Female Infertility
2019 Committee Member, Capstone, Michael Alen, Alternative and Preventative Treatment of Migraines
2019 Committee Member, Capstone, Erika Wierzbicki, The Role of Neurogenesis in the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
2019 Committee Member, Capstone, Qaainat Issa, Effects of Nicotine in Diet and Smoking on Parkinson’s Disease
2019 Committee Member, Capstone, Jack Ramsburger, Socioeconomic Impact and Availability of Alzheimer’s Treatment in the State of Florida
2017 Committee Member, Capstone, Teneshia Huggins, Role of Maternal Thyroid Hormone Levels in Fetal Cerebral Cortex Development
Undergraduate Students
University of Central Florida
2021 Committee Member, Honors Undergraduate Thesis, Carly Huber, Awareness of Genetic Predispositions that Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer
2021 Chair, Honors Undergraduate Thesis, Stephanie Oliveri, TBD
2021 Chair, Honors Undergraduate Thesis, Rachel Kemp, TBD
2021 Chair, Honors Undergraduate Thesis, Kaitlyn Bernard, TBD
2021 Co-Chair, Honors Undergraduate Thesis, Madisyn Pelchat, Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adolescents
2021 Committee Member, Honors Undergraduate Thesis, Hanna Nour, The Influence of Healthcare on the Breastfeeding Experience Among African American Mothers
2021 Committee Member, Honors Undergraduate Research, Neda Hamood, Parental ages and congenital defects in offspring
2021 Committee Member, Honors Undergraduate Thesis, Gabriel Burzycki, The Use of Cordyceps in Training
2021 Advisor, Undergraduate Directed Research, Sarah Albright. Language Barriers in Healthcare
2020 Committee Member, Honors in the Major, Marco Antonio Cardone, The Effect of Using CRISPR/CAS9 Treatment to Delete the Myostatin Protein in Vivo and In Vitro
2019 Advisor, Undergraduate Directed Research, Aseelia Samsam, Role of Diet and Gut Microbiota in Autism – a focus on the effect of propionic acid on the brain
2019 Mentor, Asia Rue and Justin Iwai, Role of Gut Microbiome in Bacterial Meningitis (SURE)
2019 Mentor, Gabriella Fernandez, Role of Sleep Deprivation and Subsequent Increase in Oxidative Stress in the Onset of Type II Diabetes (SURE)
2019 Mentor, Megan Hostetler, Role of Gut Microbiome in Hepatocellular Cancer (SURE)
2019 Mentor, Juliet Cahow, Gold Mining Exposures Effect on Respiratory Health of the Ghanaian Workforce (SURE)
2019 Mentor, Peyton Thames, Investigating the Role of Vitamin C in Patients with Osteoarthritis (SURE and Neuroscience Alliance)
2019 Mentor, Madison Sacks, Sex Differences in Glioblastoma Multiforme (Neuroscience Alliance)
2019 Mentor, Riley Smith, Efficacy of Zolpidem Treatment in Disorders of Consciousness (Neuroscience Alliance)
2019 Mentor, Jomaries Gomez, The Relationship Between Depression and Cardiovascular Disease (Neuroscience Alliance) Published- The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal: Vol. 13: Issue 1, Article 1.
2017-20 Mentor, National Merit Scholarship Program, Lindsay Martin
2017 Mentor, National Merit Scholarship Program, Camila Murphy