Introduction to Conservation Genetics

Dick Frankham is Professor of Biology at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. He began his career in quantitative genetics, achieving international recognition for his work on Drosophila before turning to conservation genetics in the early 1990s. He has made a significant contribution to the establishment and advancement of the field and has become one of the major figures in the discipline. This has been recognised by his inclusion in '2000 Outstanding Scientists of the 21st Century'. Jon Ballou is Population Manager at the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park in Washington DC, USA and an adjunct member of the faculty at the University of Maryland. His career has focused on developing the science underlying the practical management of small populations of endangered or threatened species, both captive and wild. The results of his studies have been instrumental in highlighting the key role played by genetics in wildlife conservation and management.