A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine is one of the scientific devices used to analyze eDNA samples
Adam Sepulveda, Ph.D.
My research program focuses on aquatic invasive species risk assessment, early detection, and management in the West. I coordinate the Rapid Environmental DNA Assessment and Deployment Initiative & Network (READI-Net) project associated with the U.S. Department of the Interior National Early Detection Rapid Response program.
Research Interests
Adam Sepulveda’s research program provides science to inform aquatic invasive species management. Focal elements of his research program include:
- Research to operations of autonomous environmental (e)DNA samplers to improve detection rates
- Development of standardized procedures and statistical approaches to ensure confidence in eDNA results
- Decision support and communication tools to facilitate the uptake of eDNA results by decision-makers
Professional Experience
Research Zoologist, USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, MT, 2014 – Present
Aquatic Biologist, USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, MT, October 2010 – 2014
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Ecology. 2010. University of Montana, Missoula, MT
B.A. Environmental Biology and English. 2002. Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Science and Products
eDNA Communication Strategies- Resource Manager's eDNA Toolbox
READI-Net: Providing Tools for the Early Detection and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species
Environmental DNA (eDNA): Combining Technology and Biology to Detect Aquatic Invasive Species and Pathogens
Using Robots in the River: Biosurveillance at USGS streamgages
High-Resolution, Interagency Biosurveillance of Threatened Surface Waters in the United States
Predicting Climate-Induced Expansions of Invasive Fish in the Pacific Northwest: Implications for Climate Adaptation of Native Salmon and Trout
Western Waters Invasive Species and Disease Research Program
Developing a mechanistic understanding between recent climate patterns and Aquatic Vital Signs in the Greater Yellowstone Network
American bullfrog suppression in the Yellowstone River floodplain
Conservation of native salmonids in South-Central Alaska
An investigation of aquatic invasive species in pristine sites in the Greater Yellowstone Area
qPCR detection and quantitative results for Northern Pike (Esox lucius) from environmental (e)DNA samples collected along Miller Creek, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska in February and March of 2024
Predicted consequences of detecting Najas minor environmental DNA in Sebago Lake Maine, 2022
Columbia River Basin calcium and pH data accessed on 2022 March 31 for dreissenid mussel risk assessments
Environmental DNA results from dreissenid mussel early detection surveys in Montana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin 2017-2018
Data describing vulnerability of Pacific salmon to invasion of northern pike (Esox lucius) in southcentral Alaska, 2017-2019
Predicted consequences of detecting dreissenid mussel eDNA in Jordanelle Reservoir Utah, 2021
Environmental DNA water sample analyses for smallmouth bass surveillance, Gardner River, Montana, March 2022
Juvenile Smallmouth Bass Sampling from the Yellowstone River, Montana 2016-2019
Environmental DNA data, fish abundance data, and stream habitat data from northwest Montana and northeast Washington and southern British Columbia, Canada
T. bryosalmonae detection in fish and water, DNA sequence, and simple sequence repeat data collected in the Inter-Mountain West from 2011 to 2019
Environmental DNA surveillance data for USGS streamgage sampling in the Columbia River Basin, 2018
Environmental DNA robotic and manual sampling data, Yellowstone and Snake Rivers, 2017-2019
A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine is one of the scientific devices used to analyze eDNA samples
eDNA autosampler is programmed to collect and filter water samples for eDNA analysis every 3 hours on Cherry Creek, MT
eDNA autosampler is programmed to collect and filter water samples for eDNA analysis every 3 hours on Cherry Creek, MT
The 6 components that comprise READI-Net are each represented by an interlocking hexagon, illustrating the multi-dimensional aspect of the project including: Autonomous eDNA samplers, Broad spectrum surveillance, Where & when to sample, Lab analysis standards, Information framework, and Communication.
The 6 components that comprise READI-Net are each represented by an interlocking hexagon, illustrating the multi-dimensional aspect of the project including: Autonomous eDNA samplers, Broad spectrum surveillance, Where & when to sample, Lab analysis standards, Information framework, and Communication.
An environmental DNA (eDNA) sampler discretely placed among the vegetation along a stream on the Flying D Ranch in Montana.
An environmental DNA (eDNA) sampler discretely placed among the vegetation along a stream on the Flying D Ranch in Montana.
An environmental DNA (eDNA) sampler discretely placed among streamside vegetation at the Flying D Ranch in Montana. An arrow is superimposed on the image to point out the eDNA sampler.
An environmental DNA (eDNA) sampler discretely placed among streamside vegetation at the Flying D Ranch in Montana. An arrow is superimposed on the image to point out the eDNA sampler.
An American bullfrog along the Yellowstone River near Billings, MT.
An American bullfrog along the Yellowstone River near Billings, MT.
USGS biologists surveying for bullfrogs at Two Moon Park, Billings, MT.
USGS biologists surveying for bullfrogs at Two Moon Park, Billings, MT.
Aerial view of backwater habitat for invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) off of Alexander Creek in the Susitna Basin of south-central Alaska.
Aerial view of backwater habitat for invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) off of Alexander Creek in the Susitna Basin of south-central Alaska.
An Alaska Fish and Game technician poses with an invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) taken from Alexander Creek in the Susitna Basin of south-central Alaska.
An Alaska Fish and Game technician poses with an invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) taken from Alexander Creek in the Susitna Basin of south-central Alaska.
A biologist examines an American bullfrog along the Yellowstone River near Billings, MT.
A biologist examines an American bullfrog along the Yellowstone River near Billings, MT.
Field trials of an autonomous eDNA sampler in lotic waters
National Aquatic Environmental DNA Strategy
Realizing the potential of eDNA biodiversity monitoring tools in the marine environment with application to offshore renewable energy
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) researches the biological diversity and distribution of species to support management, conservation, and resource use decisions. USGS scientists advance detection and monitoring technologies to assess changes in fish and wildlife populations, biodiversity, and the health of ecosystems. The United States is planning to install 30 gigawatts of offshore marine and wi
READI-Net—Providing tools for the early detection and management of aquatic invasive species
Zebra and Quagga mussels in the United States—Dreissenid mussel research by the U.S. Geological Survey
A workshop to advance invasive species early detection capacity of The Rapid Environmental DNA Assessment and Deployment Initiative & Network (READI-Net)
Vital sign monitoring is good medicine for parks
Critical considerations for communicating environmental DNA science
Validation of a species-specific probe-based qPCR assay for the threatened meltwater stonefly, Lednia tumana, in environmental samples
When are environmental DNA early detections of invasive species actionable?
Toward a national eDNA strategy for the United States
Science and Products
eDNA Communication Strategies- Resource Manager's eDNA Toolbox
READI-Net: Providing Tools for the Early Detection and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species
Environmental DNA (eDNA): Combining Technology and Biology to Detect Aquatic Invasive Species and Pathogens
Using Robots in the River: Biosurveillance at USGS streamgages
High-Resolution, Interagency Biosurveillance of Threatened Surface Waters in the United States
Predicting Climate-Induced Expansions of Invasive Fish in the Pacific Northwest: Implications for Climate Adaptation of Native Salmon and Trout
Western Waters Invasive Species and Disease Research Program
Developing a mechanistic understanding between recent climate patterns and Aquatic Vital Signs in the Greater Yellowstone Network
American bullfrog suppression in the Yellowstone River floodplain
Conservation of native salmonids in South-Central Alaska
An investigation of aquatic invasive species in pristine sites in the Greater Yellowstone Area
qPCR detection and quantitative results for Northern Pike (Esox lucius) from environmental (e)DNA samples collected along Miller Creek, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska in February and March of 2024
Predicted consequences of detecting Najas minor environmental DNA in Sebago Lake Maine, 2022
Columbia River Basin calcium and pH data accessed on 2022 March 31 for dreissenid mussel risk assessments
Environmental DNA results from dreissenid mussel early detection surveys in Montana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin 2017-2018
Data describing vulnerability of Pacific salmon to invasion of northern pike (Esox lucius) in southcentral Alaska, 2017-2019
Predicted consequences of detecting dreissenid mussel eDNA in Jordanelle Reservoir Utah, 2021
Environmental DNA water sample analyses for smallmouth bass surveillance, Gardner River, Montana, March 2022
Juvenile Smallmouth Bass Sampling from the Yellowstone River, Montana 2016-2019
Environmental DNA data, fish abundance data, and stream habitat data from northwest Montana and northeast Washington and southern British Columbia, Canada
T. bryosalmonae detection in fish and water, DNA sequence, and simple sequence repeat data collected in the Inter-Mountain West from 2011 to 2019
Environmental DNA surveillance data for USGS streamgage sampling in the Columbia River Basin, 2018
Environmental DNA robotic and manual sampling data, Yellowstone and Snake Rivers, 2017-2019
A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine is one of the scientific devices used to analyze eDNA samples
A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine is one of the scientific devices used to analyze eDNA samples
eDNA autosampler is programmed to collect and filter water samples for eDNA analysis every 3 hours on Cherry Creek, MT
eDNA autosampler is programmed to collect and filter water samples for eDNA analysis every 3 hours on Cherry Creek, MT
The 6 components that comprise READI-Net are each represented by an interlocking hexagon, illustrating the multi-dimensional aspect of the project including: Autonomous eDNA samplers, Broad spectrum surveillance, Where & when to sample, Lab analysis standards, Information framework, and Communication.
The 6 components that comprise READI-Net are each represented by an interlocking hexagon, illustrating the multi-dimensional aspect of the project including: Autonomous eDNA samplers, Broad spectrum surveillance, Where & when to sample, Lab analysis standards, Information framework, and Communication.
An environmental DNA (eDNA) sampler discretely placed among the vegetation along a stream on the Flying D Ranch in Montana.
An environmental DNA (eDNA) sampler discretely placed among the vegetation along a stream on the Flying D Ranch in Montana.
An environmental DNA (eDNA) sampler discretely placed among streamside vegetation at the Flying D Ranch in Montana. An arrow is superimposed on the image to point out the eDNA sampler.
An environmental DNA (eDNA) sampler discretely placed among streamside vegetation at the Flying D Ranch in Montana. An arrow is superimposed on the image to point out the eDNA sampler.
An American bullfrog along the Yellowstone River near Billings, MT.
An American bullfrog along the Yellowstone River near Billings, MT.
USGS biologists surveying for bullfrogs at Two Moon Park, Billings, MT.
USGS biologists surveying for bullfrogs at Two Moon Park, Billings, MT.
Aerial view of backwater habitat for invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) off of Alexander Creek in the Susitna Basin of south-central Alaska.
Aerial view of backwater habitat for invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) off of Alexander Creek in the Susitna Basin of south-central Alaska.
An Alaska Fish and Game technician poses with an invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) taken from Alexander Creek in the Susitna Basin of south-central Alaska.
An Alaska Fish and Game technician poses with an invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) taken from Alexander Creek in the Susitna Basin of south-central Alaska.
A biologist examines an American bullfrog along the Yellowstone River near Billings, MT.
A biologist examines an American bullfrog along the Yellowstone River near Billings, MT.
Field trials of an autonomous eDNA sampler in lotic waters
National Aquatic Environmental DNA Strategy
Realizing the potential of eDNA biodiversity monitoring tools in the marine environment with application to offshore renewable energy
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) researches the biological diversity and distribution of species to support management, conservation, and resource use decisions. USGS scientists advance detection and monitoring technologies to assess changes in fish and wildlife populations, biodiversity, and the health of ecosystems. The United States is planning to install 30 gigawatts of offshore marine and wi