Andy Ramey, Ph.D.
Through my service at the USGS Alaska Science Center, I support the development and application of genetic and genomic tools to advance molecular ecology research pertaining to wildlife health and disease, population genetics, and environmental DNA. Research in the Molecular Ecology Lab promotes informed decisions regarding the conservation of fish and wildlife resources.
I currently serve as the Director of the Molecular Ecology Lab at the USGS Alaska Science Center. The team of scientists working in the Molecular Ecology Lab develops and applies tools to obtain information on the health, distribution, and genomic characteristics of biological natural resources. This includes collecting and interpreting data on the health and disease status of fish and wildlife, the genetics of animal and plant populations, and the distribution of animals and pathogens using environmental DNA. We use this information to help partners and the public to make informed decisions regarding the conservation of fish and wildlife resources.
Professional Experience
2012 - Present Research Wildlife Geneticist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Alaska
2006 - 2012 Geneticist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Alaska
2003 - 2006 Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Alaska
2001 - 2002 Biological Science Technician, Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2015 University of Georgia, Athens, GA Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
B.S. 2001 Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO Fishery Biology and Wildlife Biology
Affiliations and Memberships*
Associate Editor: Journal of Wildlife Diseases (2016 - present)
Associate Editor: Ornithology (2020 – present)
Member: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Ornithological Society (elected), Wildlife Disease Association
Reviewer: more than 35 journal outlets
Honors and Awards
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Star Award: 2002
U.S. Geological Survey Star Award: 2003, 2007 - 2009
U.S. Geological Survey performance awards: 2010 - 2022
Science and Products
Bird Migration and Influenza
Waterfowl occurrence and residence time as indicators of H5 and H7 avian in?uenza in North American Poultry
Influenza A Virus Persistence Data from an Urban Wetland in Anchorage, Alaska, 2018-2019
DNA Microsatellite Markers for Northern Fulmar (Fulmaris glacialis) and Cross-species Amplification in Select Seabird Species
Tracking Data for Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors)
Influenza A Virus Data from Emperor Geese, Alaska
Serological Data on Influenza A from Birds and Mammals on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Northern Alaska, 2011-2017
Brown Bear (Ursus acrtos) Captures and Serological Survey Results to Bacterial Viral and Parasitic Agents, Alaska, 2013-2016
Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli in Migratory Birds Inhabiting Remote Alaska, 2015
Assessment of Contemporary Genetic Diversity and Inter-Taxa/Inter-Region Exchange of Avian Paramyxovirus Serotype 1 in Wild Birds Sampled in North America, 1986-2014
Survey for selected parasites in Alaska brown bears (Ursus arctos)
A serological survey of Francisella tularensis exposure in wildlife on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl
Spatiotemporal changes in influenza A virus prevalence among wild waterfowl inhabiting the continental United States throughout the annual cycle
Proceedings of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Wild Birds Webinar Series, August 2–5, 2021
Antibiotic resistance in free-ranging wildlife
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): An emerging disease threat in North America
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
Genetic assignment of fisheries bycatch reveals disproportionate mortality among Alaska Northern Fulmar breeding colonies
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an emerging disease threat to wild birds in North America
Antimicrobial resistance: Wildlife as indicators of anthropogenic environmental contamination across space and through time
Science and Products
Bird Migration and Influenza
Waterfowl occurrence and residence time as indicators of H5 and H7 avian in?uenza in North American Poultry
Influenza A Virus Persistence Data from an Urban Wetland in Anchorage, Alaska, 2018-2019
DNA Microsatellite Markers for Northern Fulmar (Fulmaris glacialis) and Cross-species Amplification in Select Seabird Species
Tracking Data for Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors)
Influenza A Virus Data from Emperor Geese, Alaska
Serological Data on Influenza A from Birds and Mammals on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Northern Alaska, 2011-2017
Brown Bear (Ursus acrtos) Captures and Serological Survey Results to Bacterial Viral and Parasitic Agents, Alaska, 2013-2016
Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli in Migratory Birds Inhabiting Remote Alaska, 2015
Assessment of Contemporary Genetic Diversity and Inter-Taxa/Inter-Region Exchange of Avian Paramyxovirus Serotype 1 in Wild Birds Sampled in North America, 1986-2014
Survey for selected parasites in Alaska brown bears (Ursus arctos)
A serological survey of Francisella tularensis exposure in wildlife on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl
Spatiotemporal changes in influenza A virus prevalence among wild waterfowl inhabiting the continental United States throughout the annual cycle
Proceedings of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Wild Birds Webinar Series, August 2–5, 2021
Antibiotic resistance in free-ranging wildlife
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): An emerging disease threat in North America
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
Genetic assignment of fisheries bycatch reveals disproportionate mortality among Alaska Northern Fulmar breeding colonies
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an emerging disease threat to wild birds in North America
Antimicrobial resistance: Wildlife as indicators of anthropogenic environmental contamination across space and through time
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government