Antimicrobial resistance of clinical relevance may have important implications to human and animal health. In this photo, Laura Scott and Christina Ahlstrom (USGS – Alaska Science Center) are sampling surface waters for antimicrobial resistant bacteria at Exit Creek in Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.
Christina Ahlstrom, Ph.D.
Christina is a Geneticist for the Alaska Science Center.
My research aims to better understand wildlife and zoonotic diseases in Alaska and adjacent regions. I use molecular tools to investigate the genetic diversity and transmission pathways of pathogens in wildlife populations and the ecosystems they occupy. My main research topics include antimicrobial resistance in wild birds, avian influenza, and Giardia and Cryptosporidium parasites in Arctic Alaska. I strive to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of where pathogens are detected and their genetic relatedness among spatio-temporally diverse populations to help inform management actions aimed to interrupt transmission pathways.
Professional Experience
2017 - Present Geneticist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
2015 - 2017 Consultant Epidemiologist & Data Analyst, Epi-interactive, Wellington, New Zealand
2017 Molecular Epidemiology Consultant, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Rome, Italy
2016 Molecular Epidemiology Consultant, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Rome, Italy
2005 - 2008 Seasonal Research Assistant, Quality Milk Production Services, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2015 University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Veterinary Medical Sciences
M.S. 2011 Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO Animal Science
B.S. 2008 University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY Biology
Science and Products
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Migratory Birds
Q&A: Bird Flu - Ongoing Threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Alaska and North America
Avian Influenza Research
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Acquired by Wild Birds in Urban Settings and Dispersed via Migration
Data for Genomic Characterization of Highly Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza Viruses from Alaska in 2022
Data for Infectivity of Wild-Bird Origin Influenza A Viruses in Minnesota Wetlands Across Seasons
Molecular Detection and Characterization of Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza Viruses in Wild Birds Inhabiting Western Alaska Provides Evidence for Three Independent Viral Introductions
Antimicrobial Resistance Testing and qPCR Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Surface Water and Gull (Larus spp.) Feces on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, 2021
Tracking Data for Three Large-bodied Gull Species and Hybrids (Larus spp.)
Data for Continental-Scale Dispersal of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria by Alaska Landfill-Foraging Gulls
Sampling, Antimicrobial Resistance Testing, and Genomic Typing of Carbapenemase Producing E. coli in Gulls (Larus spp.) in Alaska, 2016
Sampling, antimicrobial resistance testing, and genomic typing of E. coli in gulls (Larus spp.) on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, 2016
Sampling and Resistance and Genomic Typing of Cephalosporin-resistant E. coli in Gulls (Larus spp.) and Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in Southcentral Alaska, 2016
Antimicrobial resistance of clinical relevance may have important implications to human and animal health. In this photo, Laura Scott and Christina Ahlstrom (USGS – Alaska Science Center) are sampling surface waters for antimicrobial resistant bacteria at Exit Creek in Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.
Antimicrobial resistance of clinical relevance may have important implications to human and animal health. In this photo, Laura Scott and Christina Ahlstrom (USGS – Alaska Science Center) are sampling surface waters for antimicrobial resistant bacteria at Exit Creek in Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.
Antimicrobial resistance of clinical relevance may have important implications to human and animal health. In this photo, Laura Scott and Christina Ahlstrom (USGS – Alaska Science Center) are sampling surface waters for antimicrobial resistant bacteria at Exit Creek in Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.
Photo of Herring and Glaucous gulls at the Bethel Landfill, Alaska.
Photo of Herring and Glaucous gulls at the Bethel Landfill, Alaska.
Genomic characterization of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza viruses from Alaska during 2022 provides evidence for genotype-specific trends of spatiotemporal and interspecies dissemination
Infectivity of wild-bird origin Influenza A viruses in Minnesota wetlands across seasons
Molecular detection and characterization of highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza viruses among hunter-harvested wild birds provides evidence for three independent introductions into Alaska
Environmental antimicrobial resistance gene detection from wild bird habitats using two methods: A commercially available culture-independent qPCR assay and culture of indicator bacteria followed by whole-genome sequencing
Exchange of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli Sequence Type 38 intercontinentally and among wild bird, human, and environmental niches
Antibiotic resistance in free-ranging wildlife
Maintenance and dissemination of avian-origin influenza A virus within the northern Atlantic Flyway of North America
Genomically diverse carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae from wild birds provide insight into global patterns of spatiotemporal dissemination
Genomic comparison of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae from humans and gulls in Alaska
Evidence for continental-scale dispersal of antimicrobial resistant bacteria by landfill-foraging gulls
Comparative genomics and genomic epidemiology of mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis strains
Validation of a screening method for the detection of colistin-resistant E. coli containing mcr-1 in feral swine feces
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Migratory Birds
Q&A: Bird Flu - Ongoing Threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Alaska and North America
Avian Influenza Research
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Acquired by Wild Birds in Urban Settings and Dispersed via Migration
Data for Genomic Characterization of Highly Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza Viruses from Alaska in 2022
Data for Infectivity of Wild-Bird Origin Influenza A Viruses in Minnesota Wetlands Across Seasons
Molecular Detection and Characterization of Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza Viruses in Wild Birds Inhabiting Western Alaska Provides Evidence for Three Independent Viral Introductions
Antimicrobial Resistance Testing and qPCR Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Surface Water and Gull (Larus spp.) Feces on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, 2021
Tracking Data for Three Large-bodied Gull Species and Hybrids (Larus spp.)
Data for Continental-Scale Dispersal of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria by Alaska Landfill-Foraging Gulls
Sampling, Antimicrobial Resistance Testing, and Genomic Typing of Carbapenemase Producing E. coli in Gulls (Larus spp.) in Alaska, 2016
Sampling, antimicrobial resistance testing, and genomic typing of E. coli in gulls (Larus spp.) on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, 2016
Sampling and Resistance and Genomic Typing of Cephalosporin-resistant E. coli in Gulls (Larus spp.) and Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in Southcentral Alaska, 2016
Antimicrobial resistance of clinical relevance may have important implications to human and animal health. In this photo, Laura Scott and Christina Ahlstrom (USGS – Alaska Science Center) are sampling surface waters for antimicrobial resistant bacteria at Exit Creek in Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.
Antimicrobial resistance of clinical relevance may have important implications to human and animal health. In this photo, Laura Scott and Christina Ahlstrom (USGS – Alaska Science Center) are sampling surface waters for antimicrobial resistant bacteria at Exit Creek in Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.
Antimicrobial resistance of clinical relevance may have important implications to human and animal health. In this photo, Laura Scott and Christina Ahlstrom (USGS – Alaska Science Center) are sampling surface waters for antimicrobial resistant bacteria at Exit Creek in Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.
Antimicrobial resistance of clinical relevance may have important implications to human and animal health. In this photo, Laura Scott and Christina Ahlstrom (USGS – Alaska Science Center) are sampling surface waters for antimicrobial resistant bacteria at Exit Creek in Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.
Photo of Herring and Glaucous gulls at the Bethel Landfill, Alaska.
Photo of Herring and Glaucous gulls at the Bethel Landfill, Alaska.
Genomic characterization of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza viruses from Alaska during 2022 provides evidence for genotype-specific trends of spatiotemporal and interspecies dissemination
Infectivity of wild-bird origin Influenza A viruses in Minnesota wetlands across seasons
Molecular detection and characterization of highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza viruses among hunter-harvested wild birds provides evidence for three independent introductions into Alaska
Environmental antimicrobial resistance gene detection from wild bird habitats using two methods: A commercially available culture-independent qPCR assay and culture of indicator bacteria followed by whole-genome sequencing
Exchange of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli Sequence Type 38 intercontinentally and among wild bird, human, and environmental niches
Antibiotic resistance in free-ranging wildlife
Maintenance and dissemination of avian-origin influenza A virus within the northern Atlantic Flyway of North America
Genomically diverse carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae from wild birds provide insight into global patterns of spatiotemporal dissemination
Genomic comparison of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae from humans and gulls in Alaska
Evidence for continental-scale dispersal of antimicrobial resistant bacteria by landfill-foraging gulls
Comparative genomics and genomic epidemiology of mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis strains
Validation of a screening method for the detection of colistin-resistant E. coli containing mcr-1 in feral swine feces
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.