Biography

Nucharin Songsasen is a Research Biologist and the Center Head of the Center for Species Survival. She joined the Smithsonian in 2002 when offered the opportunity to study the reproductive biology of domestic and wild carnivores. Over the years, she built the Global Canid Conservation Program and expanded this conservation and research initiative from a laboratory setting to field conservation in range countries, including Brazil and Thailand.

Nucharin is a leading expert in the field of carnivore reproductive biology, especially canids (dog-like species). Research conducted in her laboratory focuses on developing innovative technologies to rescuing valuable genetics from wild canids and felids, while improving human reproductive health. In addition to reproductive research, she has collaborated with SCBI scientists and developed partnerships with national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations to address many threats to the sustainability of wild canids, including the maned wolf, dhole, red wolf, swift fox, and African painted dog, living in zoos or the wild. Since 2009, she has a collaborative research that focuses on better understand the reproductive biology and endocrinology of the whooping crane and identifying the causes of poor reproduction in this endangered species. She also expands avian research to include the Guam king fisher and white naped crane.

Songsasen has established partnerships with several national and international government and non-governmental organizations. She currently supervise several post-doctoral fellows and graduate students. She has adjunct appointments at the Cornell University and George Mason University. She is also a member of the IUCN's Canid Specialist Group (CSG), the coordinator of CSG's Dhole Working Group and the Maned wolf Species Survival Plan (MWSSP) as well as reproductive advisor to the Canid Taxon Advisory Group.

Nucharin received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Kasetsart University in Thailand, and Master of Science and doctoral degrees from the University of Guelph in Canada.

Research Interests

Reproductive physiology, cryobiology, assisted reproduction, carnivore conservation, conservation biology, ex situ management

Related News

Projects

Carnivores

An estimated 25 percent of carnivores are in danger of extinction. Smithsonian scientists are working to save them.

Chemical Communication About Reproduction in the Maned Wolf

Smithsonian scientists are investigating chemical communication in maned wolves, a threatened species native to South America.

Dhole Conservation in Southeast Asia

Scientists are working to save endangered dholes, or Asian wild dogs, through research, satellite tracking, conflict monitoring and community outreach.

Gamete and Embryo Technologies

Smithsonian scientists study reproductive biology to advance conservation science.

Genetic and Endocrine Predictors of Reproductive Success in African Painted Dogs

The endangered African painted dog was once found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Scientists are studying this species in an effort to save it from extinction.

Investigating Poor Reproduction in Captive Whooping Cranes

Smithsonian scientists are studying management approaches to improve reproduction among North American whooping cranes in human care. 

Ovarian Follicle Culture in the Dog and Cat

Smithsonian scientists were the first to successfully use in vitro fertilization in domestic dogs and hope to apply these techniques to save vulnerable species, such as the maned wolf.

Swift Fox Recovery

Smithsonian scientists, in collaboration with the Fort Belknap Fish and Wildlife Department, are embarking on a five-year swift fox reintroduction project to restore swift foxes to tribal lands and to help reestablish connectivity between disjointed swift fox populations.