JoGayle Dillon Howard (1951–2011) was an American
zoologist
Zoology ()The pronunciation of zoology as is usually regarded as nonstandard, though it is not uncommon. is the branch of biology that studies the Animal, animal kingdom, including the anatomy, structure, embryology, evolution, Biological clas ...
and
theriogenologist specializing in the
captive breeding
Captive breeding, also known as captive propagation, is the process of plants or animals in controlled environments, such as wildlife reserves, zoos, botanic gardens, and other conservation facilities. It is sometimes employed to help species that ...
of
endangered species
An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inv ...
such as
panda
The giant panda (''Ailuropoda melanoleuca''), also known as the panda bear (or simply the panda), is a bear species endemic to China. It is characterised by its bold black-and-white coat and rotund body. The name "giant panda" is sometimes use ...
s,
clouded leopards, and
black-footed ferret
The black-footed ferret (''Mustela nigripes''), also known as the American polecatHeptner, V. G. (Vladimir Georgievich); Nasimovich, A. A; Bannikov, Andrei Grigorovich; Hoffmann, Robert S. (2001)''Mammals of the Soviet Union''Volume: v. 2, pt. 1 ...
s.
Biography
Howard was born on May 20, 1951, in Dallas, Texas. She graduated with a doctorate in
veterinary medicine
Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, management, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, disorder, and injury in animals. Along with this, it deals with animal rearing, husbandry, breeding, research on nutri ...
from Texas A&M in 1980. She earned a PhD in
reproductive physiology
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) is a surgical subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology that trains physicians in reproductive medicine addressing hormonal functioning as it pertains to reproduction as well as the issue of in ...
from University of Maryland in 1989. Dr. Howard received her D.V.M. from
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University (Texas A&M, A&M, or TAMU) is a public, land-grant, research university in College Station, Texas. It was founded in 1876 and became the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System in 1948. As of late 2021, T ...
in 1980, and Ph.D. from the
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland, College Park (University of Maryland, UMD, or simply Maryland) is a public land-grant research university in College Park, Maryland. Founded in 1856, UMD is the flagship institution of the University System of M ...
in 1989.
Originally a veterinarian, Howard later became an expert in animal breeding, receiving the nickname "Sperm Queen".” She used common human infertility treatments, like
artificial insemination
Artificial insemination is the deliberate introduction of sperm into a female's cervix or uterine cavity for the purpose of achieving a pregnancy through in vivo fertilization by means other than sexual intercourse. It is a fertility treatme ...
and
In vitro fertilisation
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a process of fertilisation where an egg is combined with sperm in vitro ("in glass"). The process involves monitoring and stimulating an individual's ovulatory process, removing an ovum or ova (egg or eggs) ...
, and was a pioneer in
electroejaculation techniques.
In 1980, she began working at the
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) is a unit of the Smithsonian Institution located on a campus located just outside the town of Front Royal, Virginia. An extension of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the SCBI has played ...
in
Washington, D.C.
)
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, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
She oversaw the
black-footed ferret
The black-footed ferret (''Mustela nigripes''), also known as the American polecatHeptner, V. G. (Vladimir Georgievich); Nasimovich, A. A; Bannikov, Andrei Grigorovich; Hoffmann, Robert S. (2001)''Mammals of the Soviet Union''Volume: v. 2, pt. 1 ...
breeding program at The National Zoo.
With her aid more than 500 kits were born and 150 artificial inseminations were performed.
In 1992, alongside the Nashville Zoo President Rick Schwartz, she conducted the first successful clouded leopard artificial insemination. "If we lose this species," Howard says of the clouded leopards, "that means we probably lose other species in the forest. We may lose the forest all together. It may affect the human race eventually. I think most people want to just see these animals and want their future generations to see these animals. They are unique and nothing's going to replace a clouded leopard.""
From 1998 to 2000, Howard surveyed
giant panda
The giant panda (''Ailuropoda melanoleuca''), also known as the panda bear (or simply the panda), is a bear species endemic to China. It is characterised by its bold black-and-white coat and rotund body. The name "giant panda" is sometimes us ...
s in China. This study helped identify the causes of poor reproduction, which led to a rise in the population of giant pandas in breeding centers and zoos over the next ten years. “I’m not an emotional person,” she once told a reporter. “But it’s pretty cool when you realize you’re putting these animals back where they should be.”
Howard oversaw the project to artificially inseminate the
National Zoo’s female panda,
Mei Xiang, and produced the first surviving cub,
Tai Shan, in 2005.
She died from cancer on March 5, 2011, in Washington D.C.
Awards and recognitions
* Research Career Award (SERCA) from the National Institutes of Health
* Ulysses S. Seal Conservation Award from the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
* Distinguished Research and Scientist Award from the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
* Recovery Champion Award from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
* Member of the American Society of Andrology; served as a member of the executive council (1993–1996)
* Vice-president, Women in Andrology Committee (1999–2000)
* President, Women in Andrology Committee (2000–2001)
* Dr. Howard delivered the Buckeye Lecture in 1997
* Research Achievement (US Fish & Wildlife Service)
* Featured Conservation Scientist (British Airways Exhibit at Millennium Dome, London)
Publications
* Giant Pandas: Biology and Conservation
* Recovery of the Black-footed Ferret
* Do Ranger Stations Deter Poaching Activity in National Parks in Thailand?
References
External links
;Multimedia appearances
Nature’s Matchmaker
Leopard Lifesaver: Smithsonian Scientist JoGayle HowardSmithsonian’s ‘Women of Science’ Comics Star Real-Life Superheroines
{{DEFAULTSORT:Howard, JoGayle
1951 births
2011 deaths
American zoologists
20th-century American women scientists
20th-century American scientists
20th-century American women writers
20th-century American non-fiction writers
Smithsonian Institution people
21st-century American women