Molecular Ecology Team Staff

John Carlos Garza  Leader
Research Geneticist, Molecular Ecology Team Leader
Phone: (831) 420-3903
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail: carlos.garza@noaa.gov

I use population and molecular genetic methods to provide biological inference regarding a broad range of questions in ecology, evolution, conservation and management of marine and aquatic species. Much of this work is with salmonid fishes in the genus Oncorhynchus and rockfishes in the genus Sebastes, but we also have collaborative projects on other fishes, pinnipeds, otters and cephalopods.

I am involved in a large number of research projects that span topics as diverse as 1) the eludication of patterns of distribution and abundance of Chinook salmon in the coastal ocean of North America, 2) the evaluation of patterns of population structure and multiple paternity in the rockfishes, 3) the estimation of genomic parameters from DNA sequences and sequence polymorphism in salmon and trout, 4) the evaluation of novel release strategies for reintroduction of endangered salmon, 5) development of genetic markers in salmon and trout and their application to map genes involved in life history variation, and 6) development and implementation of intergenerational genetic tagging methods in salmonids and rockfishes with applications to harvest management, evaluation of hatcheries and estimation of dispersal rates.

I supervise the Molecular Ecology and Genetic Analysis Team, a joint federal/state research group, and have appointments as both a Supervisory Research Geneticist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center, and as adjunct faculty at the University of California, Santa Cruz in the Department of Ocean Sciences. My group plays a significant role in advising federal and state management of both protected and exploited species. We also provide training to the next generation of population biologists, through graduate and advanced undergraduate education, both at the University of California and through internships and committee work with students from both US and international universities.

Alicia Abadia-Cardoso
Phone: (831) 420-3965
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail: alicia.abadia@noaa.gov

Anthony Clemento
Phone: (831) 420-3965
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail: anthony.clemento@noaa.gov

Cassondra Columbus
Phone: (831) 420-3925
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail:

Daniel Barshis
Phone: (831) 420-3957
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail: daniel.barshis@noaa.gov

Devon Shannonhouse-Wilde
Phone: (831) 420-3925
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail:

Devon Pearse
Phone: (831) 420-3906
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail: devon.pearse@noaa.gov

I am interested in understanding the conceptual aspects of population genetics as well as the application of genetic data to conservation and fisheries management. My recent work has focused on gene flow and evolutionary relationships of Pacific salmonids, Oncorhynchus, and rockfish of the genus Sebastes. For example, we have examined the population structure of O. mykiss in a variety of systems, ranging from large scale studies in the Klamath-Trinity River steelhead and Upper Klamath basin redband trout, to a fine scale dissection of the genetic relationships among resident and anadromous O. mykiss in Scott Creek. This small stream is the focus of a multi-disciplinary research project, and the genetic components have included comparisons of fish above and below waterfall barriers, large-scale parentage analysis, a genome scan for chromosomal regions under differential selection, and the development of targeted genetic markers for population assignment.

Diana Baetscher
Phone: (831) 420-3925
Fax:
E-mail: diana.baetscher@noaa.gov

Eric C. Anderson
Research Molecular Geneticist
Phone: (831) 420-3983
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail: eric.anderson@noaa.gov

I am interested in statistical and computational methods for inference from genetic data. Most of the methods I work on are directly relevant to management and conservation of fish species, however, since the methods I develop involve genetic principles shared across many taxa, they are also applicable to many other species. At present, much of my work is directed toward the use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for fisheries management. We are particularly interested in the use of SNPs for large-scale parentage inference and for genetic stock identification in mixed-stock fisheries.

More about my research: http://users.soe.ucsc.edu/~eriq/eric_ams/Home.html

Eric Crandall
Phone: (831) 420-3959
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail: eric.crandall@noaa.gov

My research focuses on using population genetic techniques in conjunction with ecological models to understand the distribution and movements of marine organisms through the world's largest 'black box' - the ocean. My doctoral work sought to understand how populations of intertidal and coral reef associated species are able to maintain genetic cohesion across the vast ocean distances of the Indo-Pacific through long-distance larval dispersal and stepping-stone populations. I learned that the relatively large ranges and population sizes of most ocean species have important and often unappreciated consequences for their evolution from the species level to the molecular level. I am now working on a more ecological time scale with the West Coast Genetic Stock Identification project. We are using genetic variation at 96 SNP loci to identify the natal stream of ocean-caught Chinook salmon so that we, and our collaborating fishermen, can better understand the coast-wide distribution of threatened stocks.

Please see my website for my CV and more information about my research and outreach activities: http://people.ucsc.edu/~ecranda1/Eric_Darvish_Crandall/Home.html

Hanadi Roman
Phone:
Fax:
E-mail:

Hilary Starks
Phone: (831) 420-3989
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail: hilary.starks@noaa.gov

Libby Gilbert-Horvath
Phone: (831) 420-3904
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail: libby.gilbert@noaa.gov

Martha Arciniega
Phone: (831) 420-3965
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail:

Michael Hernandez
Phone:
Fax:
E-mail:

Simone Vincenzi
Phone:
Fax:
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Vanessa Apkenas
Phone: (831) 420-3925
Fax: (831) 420-3977
E-mail: vanessa.apkenas@noaa.gov