IN MEMORIAM JENNIFER R. LORENZ-ELWOOD (1963-2008)

Jennifer Elwood died on 3 September 2008 in Annapolis, Maryland, from complications due to breast cancer. She was born on 27 December 1963 in Camden, New Jersey, to Edith C. and James B. Lorenz of Mt. Ephraim, New Jersey. Dr. Elwood was a vertebrate zoologist and ecologist who specialized in the biology of salamanders. She received her Bachelors Degree in Biology from Lehigh University in 1986, her Masters Degree from Old Dominion University in 1988 and her Doctoral Degree in Biology from Drexel University in 2003. From 1990 to 1994 she was Adjunct Professor at Gloucester County College, Sewell, New Jersey. From 1990 to 1998 she was Adjunct Professor at Camden County College, Blackwood, New Jersey. From 1995 to 1999 she was a teaching assistant and research assistant in the Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology at Drexel University. From 2000 to 2004 she was an Instructor in the Department at Drexel where she taught Ecology, Evolution, Vertebrate Morphology, General Biology and the Graduate Ecology Seminar. From 2004 to 2008 she was Assistant Professor of Biology at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, Maryland.

Jenny Elwood’s research interests were in vertebrate evolution, functional morphology and physiological ecology with particular emphasis on salamanders. Her dissertation research was concerned with the induction of heat shock proteins, thermotolerance, and geographic distribution of plethodontid salamanders. Her research project demonstrated the link between a particular molecular adaptation (heat shock protein induction) and range expansion in the salamanders of the Plethodon glutinosus complex. Her Masters thesis work centered on salamander jaw development and comparative morphology using histological techniques, radiography, and dissection. She successfully hatched and reared several salamander species through metamorphosis to obtain serial developmental stages for analyses. She also conducted a descriptive analysis of the mandibular symphysis to determine its value as a potential character for the analysis of salamander phylogeny.

Dr. Elwood was an accomplished laboratory and field biologist, a gifted teacher, and a member of several professional societies. She is survived by her husband, Colonel John Elwood, and her son Thomas and daughter Cecelia.

Two agencies have committed to set up a grant in tribute of the name and memory of Jennifer. She would have liked that. Donations can be forwarded to either the Fort Worth Zoo CIG (Cryptobranchus Interest Group), which focuses on graduate research, or the St. Louis Zoo Hellbender Center, which focuses more on in-house research and projects.

Please note that your contribution is in Jennifer Elwood's memory when sending any gift of money. John Elwood will add additional funds to both when it is complete.