UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON ARCHIVES
ORAL HISTORY PROJECT

Interview #772
ZIEGLER, TONI E.

ZIEGLER, Toni E. (1953- )
Senior Scientist, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center
At UW: 1983-

Interviewed: 2006	
Interviewer: Sandy Pfahler
Length: 1.25 hours

Family; Early education; College; Texas A&M Veterinary School; Postdoc at UW;  Research on tamarinds and marmosets; Primate Research Center; Academic staff; Climate for women; Professional organizations; Family and leisure. 

Interview Session (June 6, 2006): Tapes 1-2

Tape 1/Side 1

00:00:23  	Toni Ziegler was born in Texas and grew up outside of Dallas.

00:01:48  	She talks about her three sisters.

00:03:34  	She describes her high school education.

00:04:55  	Her father promised to fund her college education if she would start at a junior college.  She attended community college in Dallas for a year and a half before transferring to Texas A&M.

00:05:36  	She chose Texas A&M because she wanted to go to veterinary school.

00:07:18  	TZ studied a biochemical sciences curriculum at Texas A&M.  After receiving her bachelor’s degree she worked at the University of Texas Health Science Center as a medical research technician.

00:09:32  	She decided to go to graduate school at the Veterinary School at A&M.  She worked in the marmoset and tamarind colony.  Her research was on reproductive endocrinology.

00:11:17  	TZ talks about scientists with whom she worked in graduate school.

00:14:30  	Before she graduated she met Charles Snowdon of the UW psychology department.  They arranged for her to do a postdoc and she arrived in Madison in January 1983.

00:16:16  	TZ did a joint postdoc with the psychology department and the Primate Center.  She describes her research on tamarinds’ reproductive cycles.

00:17:07 	She discusses the family style of tamarinds.

00:19:07  	She studies what makes a good father among common marmosets.  She talks about other aspects of her research on marmosets and tamarinds.

00:22:07  	Her postdoc with Snowdon ran for three years.  John Hearn gave TZ a 50 percent appointment at the Primate Research Center; the rest of her work has been on research grants.

00:22:59  	Last year her appointment was increased to 60 percent and she is now director of the hormone labs at the Primate Research Center.

00:23:32  	She talks about her colleagues in the hormone lab.

00:25:07  	TZ discusses the history of the Primate Research Center and similar centers across the country.

00:28:03  	She trains graduate students from campus departments in the Primate Research Center.

00:28:56  	She talks about grant writing.

00:29:53  	TZ discusses her collaboration with Charles Snowdon.

00:31:34  	End of side.

Tape 1/Side 2

00:31:43  	Toni Ziegler was aware of the reputation of the Primate Research Center.

00:33:10  	She describes her lab facilities.

00:34:47  	TZ discusses her research on male marmosets gaining weight while their mates are pregnant.

00:38:24  	Her research with Snowdon is on the hormones involved in affiliation.

00:39:10  	She talks about the culture of research at the Primate Research Center.

00:42:58  	A seminar series has created links between the Center and campus departments.  

00:46:00  	TZ doesn’t teach regularly but does give guest lectures.  She sits on graduate students’ committees.

00:47:38  	She speaks more about the funding of research and the dwindling support from federal sources.  Grant-writing strategies.

00:54:36  	Developing ways to measure hormones has been her most significant contribution to the field.

00:56:13  	She talks about her administrative duties at the hormone lab.

00:58:40  	TZ talks about the unequal treatment of academic staff as compared to faculty.

01:00:49  	She thinks the climate for women varies across departments.

01:02:00  	TZ describes the other women scientists at the Primate Research Center.

01:03:00  	She would prefer to have a faculty position for the recognition of her work.

01:03:19  	End of side.  End of tape.

Tape 2/Side 1

00:00:10  	Toni Ziegler discusses her activities in the American Society of Primatologists, of which she is the executive secretary.

00:01:33  	She serves as editor for the journal of the International Society of Primatologists and the Society for the Study of Behavioral Neural Endocrinology.

00:02:35  	She lists her honors and awards.

00:03:22  	TZ talks about her family and her life outside of work.

00:08:11  	End of side.  End of tape.  End of interview.

END