Upcoming Events
PhD Dissertation Defense - Environmental Science & Policy
Apr 12, 2024, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
GMU Science & Technology Campus, Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research Building, Room 1004 and
virtually on Zoom - email espgrad@gmu.edu for Zoom meeting info
PhD Dissertation
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
College of Science
George Mason University
Candidate: Molly Corder
Defense Date and Time: April 12, 2024 at 2:00pm
Defense Location: Hybrid - IABR 1004, GMU Science & Technology Campus, Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research Building, Room 1004 and Virtual
Title: Multi-omic health profiling in the critically endangered black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)
Dissertation Director: Dr. Emanuel Petricoin III, Dr. Budhan Pukazhenthi
Committee: Dr. A. Alonso Aguirre, Dr. Keith Crandall, Dr. Jennifer Salerno
ABSTRACT
Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) experience extinction threats in-situ because of poaching pressures. Simultaneously, the ex-situ population, which serves as a genetic reservoir against impending extinction threats, experiences its own threats to survival related to several disease syndromes not typically observed among their wild counterparts. The physiological mechanisms that underpin these syndromes are not fully understood. We employed the use of multiomic profiling: metabolomic, immunoproteomic, metagenomic, and dietary metataxonomic datasets to identify the physiological pathways that appear perturbed in animals with disease phenotypes. We hope these findings will improve the overall health and wellbeing of black rhinos in managed care.
