Sara J Oyler-McCance, PhD
Dr. Sara Oyler-McCance is a Supervisory Research Geneticist at the Fort Collins Science Center. She is a conservation geneticist studying a wide variety of taxa.
As a research geneticist and director of the Fort Collins Science Center’s Molecular Ecology Lab, Dr. Oyler-McCance’s research is dedicated to the application and advancement of genetic theory and techniques to address a variety of complex questions and conservation issues facing the management of the Nation's fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. Much of her research involves questions concerning threatened and endangered species, yet some involves detection of invasive species. She uses genetic and genomic methods to investigate connectivity and to identify adaptive genetic diversity, both of which are important for ensuring persistence of species of conservation concern. She explores how species are impacted by land use change and changing climates and how to give them the best chance of surviving in a changing world. Her work also explores how to optimally manage the genetic diversity within a species (for example, through translocations) and how to best inventory what species are present and the state of species well-being, persistence, or risk (that is, population size, levels of genetic diversity).
Professional Experience
March 2023 - Present: Acting Branch Chief, Ecosystem and Organismal Ecology Branch, US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
February 1999 - Present: Research Geneticist, US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 1999
M.S. in Wildlife Biology, University of Maine, 1993
B.S. in Biology, University of Michigan, 1991
Affiliations and Memberships*
Affiliate Faculty, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University
Affiliate Faculty, Fish Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University
Affiliate Faculty, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University
Affiliate Faculty, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Colorado, Denver
Science and Products
Landscape Influence on Gene Flow in Greater Sage-grouse
Contribution of Landscape Characteristics and Vegetation Shifts from Global Climate Change to Long-Term Viability of Greater Sage-grouse
Conservation genomics in the sagebrush sea: Population divergence, demographic history, and local adaptation in sage-grouse (Centrocercus spp.)
Mismatches between breeding phenology and resource abundance of resident alpine ptarmigan negatively affect chick survival
Development of microsatellite loci for two New World vultures (Cathartidae)
Evaluation of a Chicken 600K SNP genotyping array in non-model species of grouse
Evaluation of genetic change from translocation among Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) populations
Post-release breeding of translocated sharp-tailed grouse and an absence of artificial insemination effects
An experimental comparison of composite and grab sampling of stream water for metagenetic analysis of environmental DNA
Quantifying functional connectivity: The role of breeding habitat, abundance, and landscape features on range‐wide gene flow in sage‐grouse
Genetic mark–recapture improves estimates of maternity colony size for Indiana bats
The genetic network of greater sage-grouse: Range-wide identification of keystone hubs of connectivity
Long-term persistence of horse fecal DNA in the environment makes equids particularly good candidates for non-invasive sampling
Sage grouse
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
Landscape Influence on Gene Flow in Greater Sage-grouse
Contribution of Landscape Characteristics and Vegetation Shifts from Global Climate Change to Long-Term Viability of Greater Sage-grouse
Conservation genomics in the sagebrush sea: Population divergence, demographic history, and local adaptation in sage-grouse (Centrocercus spp.)
Mismatches between breeding phenology and resource abundance of resident alpine ptarmigan negatively affect chick survival
Development of microsatellite loci for two New World vultures (Cathartidae)
Evaluation of a Chicken 600K SNP genotyping array in non-model species of grouse
Evaluation of genetic change from translocation among Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) populations
Post-release breeding of translocated sharp-tailed grouse and an absence of artificial insemination effects
An experimental comparison of composite and grab sampling of stream water for metagenetic analysis of environmental DNA
Quantifying functional connectivity: The role of breeding habitat, abundance, and landscape features on range‐wide gene flow in sage‐grouse
Genetic mark–recapture improves estimates of maternity colony size for Indiana bats
The genetic network of greater sage-grouse: Range-wide identification of keystone hubs of connectivity
Long-term persistence of horse fecal DNA in the environment makes equids particularly good candidates for non-invasive sampling
Sage grouse
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.
*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