Sarah A Sonsthagen, PhD
Assistant Unit Leader - Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Sarah joined the Nebraska Cooperative Unit in 2020 from the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center where she studied the evolutionary relationships among Arctic vertebrate populations. Her research focuses on investigating ecological drivers of connectivity and adaptive capacity of species of conservation concern using both field- and laboratory-based methods. Movement underlies many key processes in ecology and evolution and is critical for species response to environmental change, as such, she applies population and community driven approaches to evaluate genomic and demographic connectivity across the landscape, adaptive capacity, and the influence of species biology in shaping spatial and temporal genomic diversity to inform management decisions. Sarah has taught Population genetics, Application of genomics in conservation, and Ornithology.
Sarah was a post-doctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History and National Zoo, awarded her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from University of Alaska Fairbanks, M.S. in Zoology from Brigham Young University, and B.S. in Biology from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Professional Experience
2013 - 2021 Research Geneticist, USGS Alaska Science Center
2015 - Present Research Associate, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
2014 - Present Affiliate Faculty, Utah State University
2009 - Present Affiliate Faculty, University of Alaska Anchorage
2009 - 2013 Geneticist, USGS Alaska Science Center
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2006 University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
M.S. 2002 Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
B.S. 2000 University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI
Affiliations and Memberships*
Sea Duck Joint Venture Continental Technical Team Member
Wilson Ornithological Society Research Grants Review Committee Member
Science and Products
Dispersal of H9N2 influenza A viruses between East Asia and North America by wild birds
Phylogenetics, phylogeography and population genetics of North American sea ducks (tribe: Mergini)
Spatial genetic structure of bristle-thighed curlews (Numenius tahitiensis): Breeding area differentiation not reflected on the non-breeding grounds
Implications of the circumpolar genetic structure of polar bears for their conservation in a rapidly warming Arctic
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for the Hawaiian coot, Fulica alai, and Hawaiian gallinule, Gallinula galeata sandvicensis, through next-generation sequencing
Spatial variation and low diversity in the major histocompatibility complex in walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)
Interspecific hybridization contributes to high genetic diversity and apparent effective population size in an endemic population of mottled ducks (Anas fulvigula maculosa)
Sex determination of duck embryos: observations on syrinx development
Development and characterization of 21 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the barren-ground shrew, Sorex ugyunak (Mammalia: Sorcidae), through next-generation sequencing, and cross-species amplification in the masked shrew, S. cinereus
Genetic relationships among some subspecies of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus L.), inferred from mitochondrial DNA control-region sequences
Phylogeography, post-glacial gene flow, and population history of North American goshawks (Accipeter gentilis)
Genetic structure of the Common Eider in the western Aleutian Islands prior to fox eradication
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
Dispersal of H9N2 influenza A viruses between East Asia and North America by wild birds
Phylogenetics, phylogeography and population genetics of North American sea ducks (tribe: Mergini)
Spatial genetic structure of bristle-thighed curlews (Numenius tahitiensis): Breeding area differentiation not reflected on the non-breeding grounds
Implications of the circumpolar genetic structure of polar bears for their conservation in a rapidly warming Arctic
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for the Hawaiian coot, Fulica alai, and Hawaiian gallinule, Gallinula galeata sandvicensis, through next-generation sequencing
Spatial variation and low diversity in the major histocompatibility complex in walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)
Interspecific hybridization contributes to high genetic diversity and apparent effective population size in an endemic population of mottled ducks (Anas fulvigula maculosa)
Sex determination of duck embryos: observations on syrinx development
Development and characterization of 21 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the barren-ground shrew, Sorex ugyunak (Mammalia: Sorcidae), through next-generation sequencing, and cross-species amplification in the masked shrew, S. cinereus
Genetic relationships among some subspecies of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus L.), inferred from mitochondrial DNA control-region sequences
Phylogeography, post-glacial gene flow, and population history of North American goshawks (Accipeter gentilis)
Genetic structure of the Common Eider in the western Aleutian Islands prior to fox eradication
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