Andy Ramey, Ph.D.
Andy Ramey is the Director of the Molecular Ecology Lab at the USGS Alaska Science Center. He leads a team of scientists that develop and apply genomic tools to advance research pertaining to wildlife health and disease, population genetics, and environmental DNA. Research in the Molecular Ecology Lab promotes informed decisions regarding the conservation of fish and wildlife resources.
Andy Ramey currently serves as the Director of the Molecular Ecology Lab at the USGS Alaska Science Center. Scientists working in the Molecular Ecology Lab develop and apply tools to obtain information on the health, distribution, and genomic characteristics of biological natural resources. This includes collecting and interpreting data on the health and disease status of fish and wildlife, the genomics of animal and plant populations, and the distribution of animals and pathogens using environmental DNA. Information is used by partners and the public to make informed decisions regarding the conservation of fish and wildlife resources.
Professional Experience
2012–Present Research Wildlife Geneticist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Alaska
2006–2012 Geneticist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Alaska
2003–2006 Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Alaska
2001–2002 Biological Science Technician, Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2015 University of Georgia, Athens, GA Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
B.S. 2001 Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO Fishery Biology and Wildlife Biology
Affiliations and Memberships*
Associate Editor: Journal of Wildlife Diseases (2016–present)
Associate Editor: Ornithology (2020–2024)
Member: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Ornithological Society (elected), Wildlife Disease Association
Reviewer: more than 40 journal outlets
Science and Products
Tracking Data for Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) Tracking Data for Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors)
Influenza A Virus Data from Emperor Geese, Alaska Influenza A Virus Data from Emperor Geese, Alaska
Influenza A Virus Data from Migratory Birds, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Influenza A Virus Data from Migratory Birds, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Serological data on influenza A from birds and mammals on the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska, 2011-2017 Serological data on influenza A from birds and mammals on the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska, 2011-2017
Brown Bear (Ursus acrtos) Captures and Serological Survey Results for Bacterial Viral and Parasitic Agents, Alaska, 2013-2016 Brown Bear (Ursus acrtos) Captures and Serological Survey Results for Bacterial Viral and Parasitic Agents, Alaska, 2013-2016
Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in migratory birds inhabiting remote Alaska, 2015 Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in migratory birds inhabiting remote Alaska, 2015
Assessment of Contemporary Genetic Diversity and Inter-Taxa/Inter-Region Exchange of Avian Paramyxovirus Serotype 1 in Wild Birds Sampled in North America, 1986-2014 Assessment of Contemporary Genetic Diversity and Inter-Taxa/Inter-Region Exchange of Avian Paramyxovirus Serotype 1 in Wild Birds Sampled in North America, 1986-2014
Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl
Spatiotemporal changes in influenza A virus prevalence among wild waterfowl inhabiting the continental United States throughout the annual cycle Spatiotemporal changes in influenza A virus prevalence among wild waterfowl inhabiting the continental United States throughout the annual cycle
Proceedings of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Wild Birds Webinar Series, August 2–5, 2021 Proceedings of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Wild Birds Webinar Series, August 2–5, 2021
Antibiotic resistance in free-ranging wildlife Antibiotic resistance in free-ranging wildlife
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): An emerging disease threat in North America Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): An emerging disease threat in North America
Maintenance and dissemination of avian-origin influenza A virus within the northern Atlantic Flyway of North America Maintenance and dissemination of avian-origin influenza A virus within the northern Atlantic Flyway of North America
Genomically diverse carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae from wild birds provide insight into global patterns of spatiotemporal dissemination Genomically diverse carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae from wild birds provide insight into global patterns of spatiotemporal dissemination
Genetic assignment of fisheries bycatch reveals disproportionate mortality among Alaska Northern Fulmar breeding colonies Genetic assignment of fisheries bycatch reveals disproportionate mortality among Alaska Northern Fulmar breeding colonies
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an emerging disease threat to wild birds in North America Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an emerging disease threat to wild birds in North America
Antimicrobial resistance: Wildlife as indicators of anthropogenic environmental contamination across space and through time Antimicrobial resistance: Wildlife as indicators of anthropogenic environmental contamination across space and through time
Assessment of variation in the detection and prevalence of blood parasites among sympatrically breeding geese in western Alaska, USA Assessment of variation in the detection and prevalence of blood parasites among sympatrically breeding geese in western Alaska, USA
Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands
Science and Products
Tracking Data for Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) Tracking Data for Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors)
Influenza A Virus Data from Emperor Geese, Alaska Influenza A Virus Data from Emperor Geese, Alaska
Influenza A Virus Data from Migratory Birds, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Influenza A Virus Data from Migratory Birds, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Serological data on influenza A from birds and mammals on the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska, 2011-2017 Serological data on influenza A from birds and mammals on the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska, 2011-2017
Brown Bear (Ursus acrtos) Captures and Serological Survey Results for Bacterial Viral and Parasitic Agents, Alaska, 2013-2016 Brown Bear (Ursus acrtos) Captures and Serological Survey Results for Bacterial Viral and Parasitic Agents, Alaska, 2013-2016
Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in migratory birds inhabiting remote Alaska, 2015 Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in migratory birds inhabiting remote Alaska, 2015
Assessment of Contemporary Genetic Diversity and Inter-Taxa/Inter-Region Exchange of Avian Paramyxovirus Serotype 1 in Wild Birds Sampled in North America, 1986-2014 Assessment of Contemporary Genetic Diversity and Inter-Taxa/Inter-Region Exchange of Avian Paramyxovirus Serotype 1 in Wild Birds Sampled in North America, 1986-2014
Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl
Spatiotemporal changes in influenza A virus prevalence among wild waterfowl inhabiting the continental United States throughout the annual cycle Spatiotemporal changes in influenza A virus prevalence among wild waterfowl inhabiting the continental United States throughout the annual cycle
Proceedings of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Wild Birds Webinar Series, August 2–5, 2021 Proceedings of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Wild Birds Webinar Series, August 2–5, 2021
Antibiotic resistance in free-ranging wildlife Antibiotic resistance in free-ranging wildlife
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): An emerging disease threat in North America Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): An emerging disease threat in North America
Maintenance and dissemination of avian-origin influenza A virus within the northern Atlantic Flyway of North America Maintenance and dissemination of avian-origin influenza A virus within the northern Atlantic Flyway of North America
Genomically diverse carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae from wild birds provide insight into global patterns of spatiotemporal dissemination Genomically diverse carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae from wild birds provide insight into global patterns of spatiotemporal dissemination
Genetic assignment of fisheries bycatch reveals disproportionate mortality among Alaska Northern Fulmar breeding colonies Genetic assignment of fisheries bycatch reveals disproportionate mortality among Alaska Northern Fulmar breeding colonies
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an emerging disease threat to wild birds in North America Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an emerging disease threat to wild birds in North America
Antimicrobial resistance: Wildlife as indicators of anthropogenic environmental contamination across space and through time Antimicrobial resistance: Wildlife as indicators of anthropogenic environmental contamination across space and through time
Assessment of variation in the detection and prevalence of blood parasites among sympatrically breeding geese in western Alaska, USA Assessment of variation in the detection and prevalence of blood parasites among sympatrically breeding geese in western Alaska, USA
Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands
*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