Our Indiana University Team
Daniella Chusyd, PhD
Primary Investigator
Dr. Daniella Chusyd is an Assistant Professor and elephantologist whose research bridges field studies across Africa with laboratory-based approaches to understand how long-lived species, particularly elephants, maintain health and cognitive function as they age. She received her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Florida, her from the M.A. (cum laude) in Government from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya in Israel, and her Ph.D. in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, followed by postdoctoral training in epidemiology and biostatistics at Indiana University-Bloomington. Dr. Chusyd has led several competitive grants from the NIH, the Smithsonian, and multiple foundations, establishing pioneering elephant field sites throughout Africa. Her work focuses on how early-life adversity, genetics, and ecological stressors influence physiology, behavior, and aging, using elephants as a comparative species to reveal mechanisms of resilience and healthy aging relevant to human health. She emphasizes a “One Health” perspective that connects ecology, conservation, and public health, and is committed to broadening participation and scientific mentorship both locally and internationally.
Alec Iruri-Tucker, M.S
Environmental Health PhD Student
Alec obtained his B.A and M.S from Indiana University Bloomington. He is interested in the biotic and abiotic mechanisms through which anthropogenic pollutants disperse into conserved environments, and the resulting health consequences for human and animal populations. He investigates the tradeoffs associated with human-elephant interactions within a One Health framework, highlighting how ecological processes mediate exposure risks.
Camille Morales, M.S
Environmental Health PhD Student
Camille obtained her B.A in Biology from the University of San Diego, where she worked in a neurogenetics research lab. She received her masters degree from the Royal Veterinary College in the UK. She’s worked with Save the Elephants in Kenya and studied Asian elephant behavior in Cambodia. She is interested in the genetic mechanisms behind elephants’ cognitive resilience.
Rocio Torres
Undergraduate Researcher. Major: Animal Behavior
Paloma Shull
Undergraduate Researcher. Major: Animal Behavior
Tegan Gunn
Undergraduate Researcher. Major: Animal Behavior
Evelyn Cashman
Undergraduate Researcher. Major: Animal Behavior
Global Team Members
Kasi Kalande
Kasi Amor Kalande is the Senior Research Officer for the Early Life Adversity Study in Zambia. He oversees field-based research and technical operations within the study, ensuring data integrity, quality assurance, and effective coordination across the research team. His role links biological sample collection, data analysis, and geospatial integration. Kasi also supervises research assistants and interns and serves as the primary liaison between IU and research partners such as the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) & African Parks. His skill set extends to developing geo-databases and spatial ecology.
He holds a B.Sc. degree in Agroforestry from the Copperbelt University, and is also a final year Master’s student in Environment and Natural Resources Management at the University of Zambia.
Lanos Chisaka
Lanos is a Research Assistant dedicated to wildlife conservation and research. His work includes collecting and preserving elephant biological samples and analyzing fecal samples in the laboratory to assess parasite loads.
He combines extensive field and laboratory experience—tracking elephants and collecting samples in the wild, then identifying and studying parasites under the microscope—to link animal behavior and ecology with health data.
Chisaka has a strong interest in parasitology and laboratory science and is committed to learning new diagnostic techniques and strengthening his analytical skills.
He holds a B.Sc. degree in Wildlife Management from the Copperbelt University, Zambia.
ELEPHANT AGING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 