Cherie McKeeman, PhD
I am a geneticist interested in using genetics to understand the relationships between species and their environments.
Professional Experience
2022 - Present Geneticist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2018 - 2019 Adjunct Instructor, Portland State University, Portland, OR
2017 - 2018 Adjunct Instructor, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, CA
2011 – 2013 Volunteer Coordinator and Field Assistant, The Nature Conservancy, Vermont Chapter, Poultney, VT
2009 - 2010 Ecological Management Assistant, The Nature Conservancy, Eastern New York Chapter, Albany, NY
2008 – 2009 Groundfish Observer: Saltwater Inc., Anchorage, AK
Education and Certifications
PhD 2020 University of Northern British Columbia Natural Resources and Environmental Science
MS 2013 Green Mountain College Environmental Studies
MS 2007 Southern Connecticut State University Special Education
BS 2004 Butler University Biology and Secondary Education
Honors and Awards
2018: UNBC Doctoral Dissertation Completion Award
2013 – 2016: UNBC Doctoral Tuition Scholarship
2014: UNBC Three-minute Thesis Competition Winner
Science and Products
Genotype Data for Population Genetic Study of Emperor Geese (Anser canagicus) in Alaska
This data release includes genotype data for 210 Emperor Geese collected on their breeding grounds in Alaska, specifically the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and the Seward Peninsula, from 2007-2022. The samples were sequenced with restriction site-associated sequencing (RAD-seq), and genotyped at 44,648 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
Data for Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Surface Waters in Two National Parks in Alaska
This data set describes the assessment of surface waters in Denali National Park and Preserve and Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve for antimicrobial resistance genes during four summer months (May - August).
Data for Investigation of Egg Mortality in a Louisiana Population of Endangered Whooping Cranes
This data set describes the genomic bacterial analysis of swabs and tissues collected from whooping cranes in Louisiana. The data includes targeted analysis from quantitative PCR for bacterial pathogens.
Validation and Application of a Standardized Quantitative PCR Assay for the Assessment of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes
This data set describes results for two laboratory experiments to validate a quantitative PCR assay for the assessment of antimicrobial resistance genes in surface waters. Data are also provided for the application of the assay surface water samples collected from three national parks in Alaska.
Genetic Data Used to Develop a Genotyping-in-Thousands by Sequencing (GT-seq) Panel for Identifying Individuals and Estimating Relatedness in Alaska Black Bears (Ursus americanus)
This data package includes genotype data for two independent sets of American black bear (Ursus americanus) samples. The first set of samples was collected from 85 adult bears harvested by permitted hunters in southcentral Alaska from 1994-2019; we hereafter refer to these as "hunter-harvested" samples. These hunter-harvested samples were genotyped with restriction site-associated...
Molecular Sexing of Birds Using Quantitative PCR (qPCR) of Sex-Linked Genes and Logistic Models
This dataset provides cycle threshold (Ct) values achieved during qPCR for 6 sex-linked genes, and two autosomal genes, for individuals from 60 species and across 13 orders of birds.
Development of a genotyping-in-thousands by sequencing (GT-seq) panel for identifying individuals and estimating relatedness among Alaska black bears (Ursus americanus)
The management and conservation of large mammals, such as black bears (Ursus americanus), have long been informed by genetic estimates of population size and individual dispersal. Amplicon sequencing methods, also known as ‘genotyping-in-thousands-by sequencing’ (GT-seq), now enable the efficient and cost-effective genotyping of hundreds of loci and individuals in the same sequencing run...
Authors
Eleni Leto Petrou, Colette D. Brandt, Timothy J. Spivey, Kristen M. Gruenthal, Cherie Marie McKeeman, Sean D. Farley, David Battle, Cory Stantorf, Andrew M. Ramey
Molecular sexing of birds using quantitative PCR (qPCR) of sex-linked genes and logistic regression models
The ability to sex individuals is an important component of many behavioural and ecological investigations and provides information for demographic models used in conservation and species management. However, many birds are difficult to sex using morphological characters or traditional molecular sexing methods. In this study, we developed probabilistic models for sexing birds using...
Authors
Eleni Leto Petrou, Laura Celeste Scott, Cherie Marie McKeeman, Andrew M. Ramey
Environmental DNA as a tool for better understanding the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic and Pacific salmon
The development and application of approaches to detect and quantify environmental DNA (eDNA) have potential to improve our understanding of the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar and Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. Here, we review 61 articles focusing on eDNA applications pertaining to salmon occupying natural habitat and aquaculture facilities in the...
Authors
Andrew M. Ramey, Cherie Marie McKeeman, Eleni Leto Petrou, Damian M. Menning, Ora L. Russ, Andrés López
Non-USGS Publications**
Mosher, C. M., Johnson, C. J., & Murray, B. W. (2022). Reduced genetic diversity associated with the northern expansion of an amphibian species with high habitat specialization, Ascaphus truei, resolved using two types of genetic markers. Ecology and Evolution, 12, e8716. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8716
Mosher, C. M., Johnson C. J., Murray B. W., Todd, M. (2021). Environmental influences on the larval density and age-class distribution of Ascaphus truei near the northern extent of its range. Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(4), 1015-1025.
**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
Genotype Data for Population Genetic Study of Emperor Geese (Anser canagicus) in Alaska
This data release includes genotype data for 210 Emperor Geese collected on their breeding grounds in Alaska, specifically the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and the Seward Peninsula, from 2007-2022. The samples were sequenced with restriction site-associated sequencing (RAD-seq), and genotyped at 44,648 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
Data for Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Surface Waters in Two National Parks in Alaska
This data set describes the assessment of surface waters in Denali National Park and Preserve and Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve for antimicrobial resistance genes during four summer months (May - August).
Data for Investigation of Egg Mortality in a Louisiana Population of Endangered Whooping Cranes
This data set describes the genomic bacterial analysis of swabs and tissues collected from whooping cranes in Louisiana. The data includes targeted analysis from quantitative PCR for bacterial pathogens.
Validation and Application of a Standardized Quantitative PCR Assay for the Assessment of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes
This data set describes results for two laboratory experiments to validate a quantitative PCR assay for the assessment of antimicrobial resistance genes in surface waters. Data are also provided for the application of the assay surface water samples collected from three national parks in Alaska.
Genetic Data Used to Develop a Genotyping-in-Thousands by Sequencing (GT-seq) Panel for Identifying Individuals and Estimating Relatedness in Alaska Black Bears (Ursus americanus)
This data package includes genotype data for two independent sets of American black bear (Ursus americanus) samples. The first set of samples was collected from 85 adult bears harvested by permitted hunters in southcentral Alaska from 1994-2019; we hereafter refer to these as "hunter-harvested" samples. These hunter-harvested samples were genotyped with restriction site-associated...
Molecular Sexing of Birds Using Quantitative PCR (qPCR) of Sex-Linked Genes and Logistic Models
This dataset provides cycle threshold (Ct) values achieved during qPCR for 6 sex-linked genes, and two autosomal genes, for individuals from 60 species and across 13 orders of birds.
Development of a genotyping-in-thousands by sequencing (GT-seq) panel for identifying individuals and estimating relatedness among Alaska black bears (Ursus americanus)
The management and conservation of large mammals, such as black bears (Ursus americanus), have long been informed by genetic estimates of population size and individual dispersal. Amplicon sequencing methods, also known as ‘genotyping-in-thousands-by sequencing’ (GT-seq), now enable the efficient and cost-effective genotyping of hundreds of loci and individuals in the same sequencing run...
Authors
Eleni Leto Petrou, Colette D. Brandt, Timothy J. Spivey, Kristen M. Gruenthal, Cherie Marie McKeeman, Sean D. Farley, David Battle, Cory Stantorf, Andrew M. Ramey
Molecular sexing of birds using quantitative PCR (qPCR) of sex-linked genes and logistic regression models
The ability to sex individuals is an important component of many behavioural and ecological investigations and provides information for demographic models used in conservation and species management. However, many birds are difficult to sex using morphological characters or traditional molecular sexing methods. In this study, we developed probabilistic models for sexing birds using...
Authors
Eleni Leto Petrou, Laura Celeste Scott, Cherie Marie McKeeman, Andrew M. Ramey
Environmental DNA as a tool for better understanding the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic and Pacific salmon
The development and application of approaches to detect and quantify environmental DNA (eDNA) have potential to improve our understanding of the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar and Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. Here, we review 61 articles focusing on eDNA applications pertaining to salmon occupying natural habitat and aquaculture facilities in the...
Authors
Andrew M. Ramey, Cherie Marie McKeeman, Eleni Leto Petrou, Damian M. Menning, Ora L. Russ, Andrés López
Non-USGS Publications**
Mosher, C. M., Johnson, C. J., & Murray, B. W. (2022). Reduced genetic diversity associated with the northern expansion of an amphibian species with high habitat specialization, Ascaphus truei, resolved using two types of genetic markers. Ecology and Evolution, 12, e8716. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8716
Mosher, C. M., Johnson C. J., Murray B. W., Todd, M. (2021). Environmental influences on the larval density and age-class distribution of Ascaphus truei near the northern extent of its range. Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(4), 1015-1025.
**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.