Caroline R Van Hemert, Ph.D.
Avian health and disease, ecology of landbirds, beak deformities in Alaska (“avian keratin disorder”), anatomy and structure of keratinized tissues, wildlife pathology.
Professional Experience
2012 - Present Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2005 - 2012 Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2003 - 2005 Teaching Assistant, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
2001 Volunteer Field Assistant, Wild Dog Research Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana
2000 - 2002 Bioscience Technician, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
1999 Research Assistant, Wildlife Conservation Society, Haines, AK
1998 Field Research Assistant, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK
1997 - 1998 Research Assistant, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2012 University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK Biology and Wildlife
M.A. 2005 Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA English/Creative Nonfiction
B.S. 2000 University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Ecology and Evolution
B.A. 2000 University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Gender Studies
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Ornithological Society
Boreal Partners in Flight
The Wildlife Society
Wildlife Disease Association
Science and Products
Microanatomy of passerine hard-cornified tissues: Beak and claw structure of the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
Stable isotopes identify dietary changes associated with beak deformities in Black-Capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus)
A natural experiment on the condition-dependence of achromatic plumage reflectance in black-capped chickadees
Beak deformities in Northwestern Crows: Evidence of a multispecies epizootic
Epizootic of beak deformities among wild birds in Alaska: An emerging disease in North America?
Alaskan birds at risk: Widespread beak deformities in resident species
Science and Products
Microanatomy of passerine hard-cornified tissues: Beak and claw structure of the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
Stable isotopes identify dietary changes associated with beak deformities in Black-Capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus)
A natural experiment on the condition-dependence of achromatic plumage reflectance in black-capped chickadees
Beak deformities in Northwestern Crows: Evidence of a multispecies epizootic
Epizootic of beak deformities among wild birds in Alaska: An emerging disease in North America?
Alaskan birds at risk: Widespread beak deformities in resident species
*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