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
Potential demographic and genetic effects of a sterilant applied to wild horse mares
Landscape characteristics influencing the genetic structure of greater sage-grouse within the stronghold of their range: a holistic modeling approach
Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling improves occurrence and detection estimates of invasive Burmese pythons
Development of 13 microsatellites for Gunnison Sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) using next-generation shotgun sequencing and their utility in Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
Genomic single-nucleotide polymorphisms confirm that Gunnison and Greater sage-grouse are genetically well differentiated and that the Bi-State population is distinct
Blood from a turnip: tissue origin of low-coverage shotgun sequencing libraries affects recovery of mitogenome sequences
Two low coverage bird genomes and a comparison of reference-guided versus de novo genome assemblies
Genetic tools for wildlife management
Hierarchical spatial genetic structure in a distinct population segment of greater sage-grouse
The historical distribution of Gunnison Sage-Grouse in Colorado
Genetic characterization of the Pacific sheath-tailed bat (Emballonura semicaudata rotensis) using mitochondrial DNA sequence data
Summary of science, activities, programs, and policies that influence the rangewide conservation of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
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
Potential demographic and genetic effects of a sterilant applied to wild horse mares
Landscape characteristics influencing the genetic structure of greater sage-grouse within the stronghold of their range: a holistic modeling approach
Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling improves occurrence and detection estimates of invasive Burmese pythons
Development of 13 microsatellites for Gunnison Sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) using next-generation shotgun sequencing and their utility in Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
Genomic single-nucleotide polymorphisms confirm that Gunnison and Greater sage-grouse are genetically well differentiated and that the Bi-State population is distinct
Blood from a turnip: tissue origin of low-coverage shotgun sequencing libraries affects recovery of mitogenome sequences
Two low coverage bird genomes and a comparison of reference-guided versus de novo genome assemblies
Genetic tools for wildlife management
Hierarchical spatial genetic structure in a distinct population segment of greater sage-grouse
The historical distribution of Gunnison Sage-Grouse in Colorado
Genetic characterization of the Pacific sheath-tailed bat (Emballonura semicaudata rotensis) using mitochondrial DNA sequence data
Summary of science, activities, programs, and policies that influence the rangewide conservation of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
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