Research – TINA CHIARELLI, PHD, FRGS

Biomarkers of Reproductive Health in Wildlife and Techniques for their Assessment

August 9th, 2024tinalc0 Comments

One of the coolest things I get to do is serve as a Board Member and Treasurer for the International Society of Wildlife Endocrinology (ISWE). I’ve been a member since the group’s inception in 2010. At the time, I was a Doctoral Fellow at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute working under the mentorship of elephant expert and reproductive physiologist, Dr. Janine Brown. I was lucky enough to attend the brainstorming meeting that brought together the world’s best wildlife endocrinologists. It should be noted, I was not one of them. Nevertheless, from that incredible gathering, ISWE was born. After more than …

Conservation Challenges in the Wake of a Global Pandemic

January 28th, 2023tinalc0 Comments

This past year, I got the opportunity to interview some incredible conservation organizations regarding their work before, during, and after the Covid-19 pandemic. During such trying times, they continued to support wildlife and communities in range countries despite new challenges. You can read the article in its entirety at JEMA 2022v33i3.

Botswana’s Mass Elephant Die-Off

January 28th, 2023tinalc0 Comments

“In March 2020, at the beginning of a global pandemic, elephant carcasses were found in the Ngamiland district of northern Botswana. Within three months from the initial report, helicopter-based surveys counted a total of 350 dead elephants. Carcasses of males and females were found by themselves with 70% near water. In some cases, it was as though the animal was walking and just collapsed. Locals would state that some elephants were observed walking in circles with extremely low body condition before death. Due to Covid-related travel restrictions, carcasses were not thoroughly examined, and tissue samples not collected; thus, a causative …

Featured: Members on the Move for Conservation

January 28th, 2023tinalc0 Comments

As promised, I am starting to update my website. To say that, since 2020, life has thrown it’s very best and worst at us would be a huge understatement. One of my grounding points has always been my work with elephants. Thankfully, they continue to be a guiding light. I was delighted to be interviewed by Gray Matters for their Members on the Move for Conservation” segment. “An interview with EMA Conservation Committee member Tina Dow, PhD. – This year, the Conservation Committee is highlighting EMA members that are making a difference for elephant conservation. For this issue of Gray …

Prolactin and Ovarian Cycle Problems in Managed African Female Elephants

August 3rd, 2021tinalc0 Comments

The last paper in our series investigating prolactin regulation and the efficacy of dopamine agonists and antagonists to mitigate prolactin-associated ovarian cycle problems was published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine in March 2020. It was bittersweet as the research was a culmination of almost 10 years of research and sadly, we lost Dr. Dee Cross during the process. I think it was only fitting that the work was highlighted on the cover by a photo I took of one of my most favorite elephants. A copy of the paper Understanding Prolactin Regulation and Determining the Efficacy of …

South Africa: I’m Finally Here

November 2nd, 2019tinalc0 Comments

At 08:03 local time, the plane touched down in Johannesburg. Although the last flight was a whopping 15-hours total air time, the South African Airlines flight crew did an amazing job making sure we were as comfortable as possible. After a trip through customs to get my passport stamped, and several laps around terminals A and B, I found my shuttle and was off for the 7-hour land trek to Skukuza Rest Camp in Kruger National Park. The only hiccup being I was the only one without cellphone service. Having prepared a week in advance, I had added the AT&T …

Dr. Tina Dow Featured in University Graduate Catalog

November 7th, 2012tinalc0 Comments

The 2012-2013 West Virginia University Graduate Catalog has featured Dr. Tina Dow as a mentor for prospective students. While attending University, Dr. Dow was awarded a Graduate Teaching Fellowship and Tuition waiver. She was the first person in her family to attend college.

Timber Rattlesnake Survey

July 24th, 2012tinalc0 Comments

This year, 2012, has been an exciting time for the Timber rattlesnake population and reproductive assessment survey research. The driving force behind this project was to better understand how human presence in the north eastern part of their range has affected overall rattlesnake numbers and breeding success compared to previous data. In addition, we wanted to learn more about Timber rattlesnake behavior so that we can educate the public and help them better appreciate the importance of this magnificent snake. Having begun this project in 2011, it was a frustrating year as all the specimens we were finding had been …

Big Impact, Big Research — Dr. Tina Dow’s Research Highlighted in WVU Alumni Magazine

May 14th, 2012tinalc0 Comments

It was certainly a weekend of celebrations in West Virginia. In addition to participating in the 143rd Commencement at West Virginia University, Dr. Tina Dow’s research was highlighted in the latest edition of the WVU Alumni Magazine. Big Impact, Big Research Written By Jake Stump/ Photographs By Scott Lituchy The story of Tina Dow’s love of elephants began in another story, tucked away in the pages of her first Little Golden Book — The Saggy Baggy Elephant. Never Could she predict that someday she’d work with the same creatures that fascinated her as a girl growing up in Cumberland, Maryland. …

Researching the Researcher– Dr. Tina Dow Featured in the Latest Edition of JEMA

April 1st, 2012tinalc0 Comments

Recently, Dr. Tina Dow was featured in the Researching the Researcher section of the latest edition of the Journal of the Elephant Managers Association (JEMA). The article highlighted Tina’s doctoral research while at West Virginia University and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.