Caroline R Van Hemert, Ph.D.
Avian health and disease, ecology of landbirds, beak deformities in Alaska (“avian keratin disorder”), anatomy and structure of keratinized tissues, wildlife pathology.
Professional Experience
2012 - Present Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2005 - 2012 Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2003 - 2005 Teaching Assistant, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
2001 Volunteer Field Assistant, Wild Dog Research Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana
2000 - 2002 Bioscience Technician, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
1999 Research Assistant, Wildlife Conservation Society, Haines, AK
1998 Field Research Assistant, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK
1997 - 1998 Research Assistant, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2012 University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK Biology and Wildlife
M.A. 2005 Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA English/Creative Nonfiction
B.S. 2000 University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Ecology and Evolution
B.A. 2000 University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Gender Studies
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Ornithological Society
Boreal Partners in Flight
The Wildlife Society
Wildlife Disease Association
Science and Products
Microanatomy of passerine hard-cornified tissues: Beak and claw structure of the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
Microanatomy of passerine hard-cornified tissues: Beak and claw structure of the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
Stable isotopes identify dietary changes associated with beak deformities in Black-Capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus)
A natural experiment on the condition-dependence of achromatic plumage reflectance in black-capped chickadees
Beak deformities in Northwestern Crows: Evidence of a multispecies epizootic
Epizootic of beak deformities among wild birds in Alaska: An emerging disease in North America?
Alaskan birds at risk: Widespread beak deformities in resident species
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 13
- Data
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 43
Microanatomy of passerine hard-cornified tissues: Beak and claw structure of the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
The microanatomy of healthy beaks and claws in passerine birds has not been well described in the literature, despite the importance of these structures in avian life. Histological processing of hard‐cornified tissues is notoriously challenging and only a few reports on effective techniques have been published. An emerging epizootic of beak deformities among wild birds in Alaska and the Pacific NoAuthorsCaroline R. Van Hemert, Colleen M. Handel, John E. Blake, Rhonda Swor, Todd M. O'HaraMicroanatomy of passerine hard-cornified tissues: Beak and claw structure of the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
The microanatomy of healthy beaks and claws in passerine birds has not been well described in the literature, despite the importance of these structures in avian life. Histological processing of hard‐cornified tissues is notoriously challenging and only a few reports on effective techniques have been published. An emerging epizootic of beak deformities among wild birds in Alaska and the Pacific NoAuthorsCaroline R. Van Hemert, Colleen M. Handel, J.E. Blake, R.M. Swor, T. M. O'HaraStable isotopes identify dietary changes associated with beak deformities in Black-Capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus)
A large number of beak deformities of unknown etiology have recently been reported in Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and other resident avian species in Alaska. We investigated the potential association between diet and beak deformities. We analyzed carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes in whole blood of Black-capped Chickadees captured at three semiurban sites in south-centraAuthorsCaroline R. Van Hemert, Colleen M. Handel, Diane M. O'BrienA natural experiment on the condition-dependence of achromatic plumage reflectance in black-capped chickadees
Honest advertisement models posit that only individuals in good health can produce and/or maintain ornamental traits. Even though disease has profound effects on condition, few studies have experimentally tested its effects on trait expression and even fewer have identified a mechanistic basis for these effects. Recent evidence suggests that black and white, but not grey, plumage colors of black-cAuthorsL. D'Alba, Caroline R. Van Hemert, Colleen M. Handel, M.D. ShawkeyBeak deformities in Northwestern Crows: Evidence of a multispecies epizootic
Beak abnormalities are rare among adult birds and, typically, are not widespread in a given population, within a region, or across multiple species. A high concentration of beak deformities was recently documented in Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and other resident avian species in Alaska. We describe a parallel condition in Northwestern Crows (Corvus caurinus) that signals the emAuthorsCaroline R. Van Hemert, Colleen M. HandelEpizootic of beak deformities among wild birds in Alaska: An emerging disease in North America?
The sudden appearance of a large cluster of animals with gross abnormalities may signal a significant change in an ecosystem. We describe an unusual concentration of beak deformities that appear to have arisen rapidly within Alaska and now extend southward along the Pacific Coast. In Alaska we have documented 2,160 Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and 435 individuals of 29 other specAuthorsColleen M. Handel, Lisa M. Pajot, Steven M. Matsuoka, Caroline R. Van Hemert, John Terenzi, Sandra L. Talbot, Daniel M. Mulcahy, Carol U. Meteyer, Kimberly A. TrustAlaskan birds at risk: Widespread beak deformities in resident species
The team creeps silently across a well-tended lawn, eyes drawn to a small wooden box perched several meters up a lone birch tree. The first biologist is armed with a broom in one hand and a bug net in the other. Her partner wields a lunchbox-sized plastic case and a tree-climbing ladder that looks like an oversized radio antenna. A neighbor peers out her window from across the street to watch theAuthorsCaroline R. Van Hemert - News
*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