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Virtual Author Talk: Brian Gratwicke and Gina Della Togna

Extinctopedia

In an online talk, Smithsonian scientists Brian Gratwicke and Dr. Gina Della Togna discuss "Extinctopedia." Register to receive the link to join and submit questions.

Extinctopedia tells a complex story of those who are extinct and those in greatest peril, with explanations of what threatens their survival. It is also a story of hope—hopes for animals that have been rediscovered, hope in the form of newly-discovered animals, and hope that we might hear the warning call and act to preserve the amazing biodiversity of our fragile planet for future generations to come.

In this talk, you will discover: 

• Animals that are no longer with us
• Endangered animals at risk of extinction
• Organizations that aim to protect animal life
• Strategies for preserving biodiversity

Extinctopedia provides a fascinating catalog of life on earth and encourages the reader to find ways of preserving the incredible diversity of species, so we may all thrive and life itself can endure on this amazing and beautiful planet.

Brian Gratwicke is a conservation biologist and leads the amphibian conservation programs at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Brian’s focus is building capacity to conserve amphibians in Appalachia and Panama, developing outreach and educational programs and exhibits to build public support for amphibian conservation, and research to develop tools to reintroduce amphibians back into the wild. At SCBI, Brian collaborates with Panamanian conservation biologists and zoo partners to build an ex-situ amphibian facility in Panama. Gratwicke grew up in Zimbabwe and began his conservation work researching the impacts to freshwater fish in Africa. In 2000, he was awarded a Rhodes scholarship that took him to Oxford, where he studied marine fish communities in the British Virgin Islands for his doctorate. After completing his doctorate, Gratwicke moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a program administrator and then assistant director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Save the Tiger Fund.

Dr. Gina Della Togna is a researcher and conservationist, currently serving as the Executive Director of the Amphibian Survival Alliance and a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Dr. Della Togna earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, with a specialization in 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 species facing challenges in reproduction. As the co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group ARTs and Biobanking working group since 2017 and co-author of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP), Dr. Della Togna plays a vital role in advancing conservation efforts for amphibian species worldwide. Her dedication to amphibian conservation extends to her involvement in global, regional, and local initiatives, where she fosters collaborations and spearheads innovative projects to safeguard amphibian populations. Her expertise and passion have made her a leading figure in the field of conservation biology, inspiring positive change for the future of amphibians and their ecosystems.

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