More than 1,500 walruses resting on shore at Cape Grieg in southeastern Bristol Bay.
Sarah K Schoen
Population and community ecology, foraging biology, conservation, biogeography, animal behavior, food webs, and experiential education.
Professional Experience
2022 – Present Biologist - U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2012 – 2022 Wildlife Biologist - U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2009 – 2012 Wildlife Biologist - Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Juneau, AK
2005 – 2006 Research Technician - Zoology - Alaska Natural Heritage Program, Anchorage, AK
2004 – 2005 Environmental Scientist - HDR Alaska, Inc., Anchorage, AK
Education and Certifications
M.S. 2008 Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID Biology
B.A. 2004 Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA Biology/Environmental Studies
Affiliations and Memberships*
Member, Pacific Seabird Group
Member, Kittlitz's Murrelet Technical Committee
Member, The Wildlife Society
Science and Products
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are the media items associated with this project.
More than 1,500 walruses resting on shore at Cape Grieg in southeastern Bristol Bay.
A severely emaciated Common Murre carcass collected to determine the cause of death following a massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Prince William Sound
A severely emaciated Common Murre carcass collected to determine the cause of death following a massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Prince William Sound
![Biologists walk the beach counting Common Murre carcasses](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_0001ed.jpg?itok=RJS8WqaZ)
Biologists walk the beach counting Common Murre carcasses following a massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Prince William Sound.
Biologists walk the beach counting Common Murre carcasses following a massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Prince William Sound.
A freshly deceased Common Murre carcass recovered following the massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Cochrane Bay, Prince William Sound.
A freshly deceased Common Murre carcass recovered following the massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Cochrane Bay, Prince William Sound.
A freshly deceased Common Murre carcass recovered following the massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Cochrane Bay, Prince William Sound
A freshly deceased Common Murre carcass recovered following the massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Cochrane Bay, Prince William Sound
Dead Common Murres found on the beach in Cochrane Bay, Prince William Sound on Jan 10, 2016. These birds were part of the large die-off of Common Murres across the Gulf of Alaska in 2015-2016.
Dead Common Murres found on the beach in Cochrane Bay, Prince William Sound on Jan 10, 2016. These birds were part of the large die-off of Common Murres across the Gulf of Alaska in 2015-2016.
![A dead bird on the beach](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/dead_COMU_beach_PWS_1-7-2016_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=WdgUxYft)
A dead Common Murre found on the beach in Prince William Sound on Jan 7, 2016. This bird was part of the large die-off of Common Murres across the Gulf of Alaska in 2015-2016.
A dead Common Murre found on the beach in Prince William Sound on Jan 7, 2016. This bird was part of the large die-off of Common Murres across the Gulf of Alaska in 2015-2016.
![A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre with a glacier in the background in Harriman Fjord in Prince William Sound, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Alaskan_Gyre_Harrison_Fjord_2012_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=Gp3MPBad)
A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre with a glacier in the background in Harriman Fjord in Prince William Sound, Alaska
A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre with a glacier in the background in Harriman Fjord in Prince William Sound, Alaska
![A Common Murre swimming in the waters of Prince William Sound in 2015](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Common_Murre_PWS_7-23-2015_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=cUEtxbZj)
A Common Murre swimming in the waters of Prince William Sound, Alaska.
A Common Murre swimming in the waters of Prince William Sound, Alaska.
![A scenic view of an Aleutian island with fireweed in full bloom](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/scenic_Aleutian_island_8-17-2014_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=G5MO1xc_)
A scenic view of an Aleutian island with fireweed in full bloom
A scenic view of an Aleutian island with fireweed in full bloom
![A Northern Fulmar attends its nest on Suklik Island, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/NorthernFulmarED.jpg?itok=h8CKQeO-)
Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Common Murres have all been tested for and contained harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems.
Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Common Murres have all been tested for and contained harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems.
Black-legged Kittiwake on a nest on the side of a rock face in the Aleutian Islands.
Black-legged Kittiwake on a nest on the side of a rock face in the Aleutian Islands.
![A Peregrine Falcon near Puffin burrow areas in the Aleutian Islands](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Perigrine_Falcon_8-12-2014_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=atsjH8Qd)
A Peregrine Falcon near Puffin burrow areas in the Aleutian Islands
A Peregrine Falcon near Puffin burrow areas in the Aleutian Islands
![Tufted Puffin looking for fish near it's burrow area in the Aleutian Islands](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Tufted_Puffin_Puffin_Project_8-10-2014_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=KUnJpiMS)
Tufted Puffin looking for fish near it's burrow area in the Aleutian Islands
Tufted Puffin looking for fish near it's burrow area in the Aleutian Islands
Tufted Puffin carrying fish to bring back to it's young in it's burrow.
Tufted Puffin carrying fish to bring back to it's young in it's burrow.
![A Tufted Puffin swimming in the water in the Aleutian Islands](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Tufted_Puffin_swimming_Puffin_Project_8-10-2014_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=i8uz7I3-)
A Tufted Puffin swimming in the water in the Aleutian Islands
A Tufted Puffin swimming in the water in the Aleutian Islands
![Horned Puffin flying near it's burrow area in the Aleutian Islands](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Horned_Puffin_Puffin_Project_8-10-2014_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=qzesocH5)
Horned Puffin flying near it's burrow area in the Aleutian Islands
Horned Puffin flying near it's burrow area in the Aleutian Islands
Pacific sand lance in a sieve that were captured in a small purse seine in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Pacific sand lance in a sieve that were captured in a small purse seine in Prince William Sound, Alaska
A scenic view of the mountains and the ocean in Prince William Sound
A scenic view of the mountains and the ocean in Prince William Sound
A scenic view of the sea and the mountains in Prince William Sound
A scenic view of the sea and the mountains in Prince William Sound
Red-faced Cormorant flying over the Aleutian Islands in 2013.
Red-faced Cormorant flying over the Aleutian Islands in 2013.
Below are the publications associated with this project.
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.
Below are news items associated with this project.
Science and Products
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are the media items associated with this project.
More than 1,500 walruses resting on shore at Cape Grieg in southeastern Bristol Bay.
More than 1,500 walruses resting on shore at Cape Grieg in southeastern Bristol Bay.
A severely emaciated Common Murre carcass collected to determine the cause of death following a massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Prince William Sound
A severely emaciated Common Murre carcass collected to determine the cause of death following a massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Prince William Sound
![Biologists walk the beach counting Common Murre carcasses](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_0001ed.jpg?itok=RJS8WqaZ)
Biologists walk the beach counting Common Murre carcasses following a massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Prince William Sound.
Biologists walk the beach counting Common Murre carcasses following a massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Prince William Sound.
A freshly deceased Common Murre carcass recovered following the massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Cochrane Bay, Prince William Sound.
A freshly deceased Common Murre carcass recovered following the massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Cochrane Bay, Prince William Sound.
A freshly deceased Common Murre carcass recovered following the massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Cochrane Bay, Prince William Sound
A freshly deceased Common Murre carcass recovered following the massive die-off of murres in 2015/2016. Cochrane Bay, Prince William Sound
Dead Common Murres found on the beach in Cochrane Bay, Prince William Sound on Jan 10, 2016. These birds were part of the large die-off of Common Murres across the Gulf of Alaska in 2015-2016.
Dead Common Murres found on the beach in Cochrane Bay, Prince William Sound on Jan 10, 2016. These birds were part of the large die-off of Common Murres across the Gulf of Alaska in 2015-2016.
![A dead bird on the beach](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/dead_COMU_beach_PWS_1-7-2016_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=WdgUxYft)
A dead Common Murre found on the beach in Prince William Sound on Jan 7, 2016. This bird was part of the large die-off of Common Murres across the Gulf of Alaska in 2015-2016.
A dead Common Murre found on the beach in Prince William Sound on Jan 7, 2016. This bird was part of the large die-off of Common Murres across the Gulf of Alaska in 2015-2016.
![A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre with a glacier in the background in Harriman Fjord in Prince William Sound, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Alaskan_Gyre_Harrison_Fjord_2012_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=Gp3MPBad)
A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre with a glacier in the background in Harriman Fjord in Prince William Sound, Alaska
A view of the R/V Alaskan Gyre with a glacier in the background in Harriman Fjord in Prince William Sound, Alaska
![A Common Murre swimming in the waters of Prince William Sound in 2015](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Common_Murre_PWS_7-23-2015_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=cUEtxbZj)
A Common Murre swimming in the waters of Prince William Sound, Alaska.
A Common Murre swimming in the waters of Prince William Sound, Alaska.
![A scenic view of an Aleutian island with fireweed in full bloom](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/scenic_Aleutian_island_8-17-2014_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=G5MO1xc_)
A scenic view of an Aleutian island with fireweed in full bloom
A scenic view of an Aleutian island with fireweed in full bloom
![A Northern Fulmar attends its nest on Suklik Island, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/NorthernFulmarED.jpg?itok=h8CKQeO-)
Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Common Murres have all been tested for and contained harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems.
Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Common Murres have all been tested for and contained harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems.
Black-legged Kittiwake on a nest on the side of a rock face in the Aleutian Islands.
Black-legged Kittiwake on a nest on the side of a rock face in the Aleutian Islands.
![A Peregrine Falcon near Puffin burrow areas in the Aleutian Islands](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Perigrine_Falcon_8-12-2014_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=atsjH8Qd)
A Peregrine Falcon near Puffin burrow areas in the Aleutian Islands
A Peregrine Falcon near Puffin burrow areas in the Aleutian Islands
![Tufted Puffin looking for fish near it's burrow area in the Aleutian Islands](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Tufted_Puffin_Puffin_Project_8-10-2014_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=KUnJpiMS)
Tufted Puffin looking for fish near it's burrow area in the Aleutian Islands
Tufted Puffin looking for fish near it's burrow area in the Aleutian Islands
Tufted Puffin carrying fish to bring back to it's young in it's burrow.
Tufted Puffin carrying fish to bring back to it's young in it's burrow.
![A Tufted Puffin swimming in the water in the Aleutian Islands](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Tufted_Puffin_swimming_Puffin_Project_8-10-2014_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=i8uz7I3-)
A Tufted Puffin swimming in the water in the Aleutian Islands
A Tufted Puffin swimming in the water in the Aleutian Islands
![Horned Puffin flying near it's burrow area in the Aleutian Islands](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/Horned_Puffin_Puffin_Project_8-10-2014_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=qzesocH5)
Horned Puffin flying near it's burrow area in the Aleutian Islands
Horned Puffin flying near it's burrow area in the Aleutian Islands
Pacific sand lance in a sieve that were captured in a small purse seine in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Pacific sand lance in a sieve that were captured in a small purse seine in Prince William Sound, Alaska
A scenic view of the mountains and the ocean in Prince William Sound
A scenic view of the mountains and the ocean in Prince William Sound
A scenic view of the sea and the mountains in Prince William Sound
A scenic view of the sea and the mountains in Prince William Sound
Red-faced Cormorant flying over the Aleutian Islands in 2013.
Red-faced Cormorant flying over the Aleutian Islands in 2013.
Below are the publications associated with this project.
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.
Below are news items associated with this project.
*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