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Eleni Petrou, Ph.D.

Molecular ecology, population genomics, management and conservation of marine species, historical ecology and ancient DNA, social-ecological systems

I am a population geneticist whose research addresses questions with practical applications to the management and conservation of wild populations. First, how is genetic diversity distributed and what mechanisms maintain it through time? Second, what are the effects of human activities on the evolutionary potential of populations that are foundational to food webs and human food systems? Third, can integrating information from the historical and archaeological record inform restoration and management goals? I also use genomics and bioinformatics to develop high-throughput tools for monitoring human-wildlife interactions. Much of my research is focused on coastal and boreal environments of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

Professional Experience

  • 2022 – Present       Geneticist, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK

  • 2019 – 2022            Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

  • 2014 – 2019            Graduate Research Assistant, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

  • 2013                          Fulbright Scholar, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama

  • 2009 – 2012            Graduate Research Assistant, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

  • 2007 – 2009           Various science technician positions

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. 2019             University of Washington, Seattle, WA      Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

  • M.S. 2012               University of Washington, Seattle, WA      Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

  • B.S. 2008               State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY         

Honors and Awards

  • 2022: SAFS DEIJ and Community Service Recognition Award

  • 2021: Outstanding Commitment to Diversity Award, UW College of the Environment

  • 2017: First prize for environmental policy brief, NYT – APRU Asia-Pacific Case Competition

  • 2016: Best graduate student presentation, FSBI Annual Symposium

  • 2014: NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship

  • 2013: Fulbright Research Fellowship, Panama

  • 2011: NSF Graduate Teaching Fellowship in K-12 Education

Science and Products

Molecular Sexing of Birds Using Quantitative PCR (qPCR) of Sex-Linked Genes and Logistic Models

This dataset provides cycle threshold (Ct) values achieved during qPCR for 6 sex-linked genes, and two autosomal genes, for individuals from 60 species and across 13 orders of birds.
By
Alaska Science Center, Molecular Ecology Laboratory

Molecular sexing of birds using quantitative PCR (qPCR) of sex-linked genes and logistic regression models

The ability to sex individuals is an important component of many behavioural and ecological investigations and provides information for demographic models used in conservation and species management. However, many birds are difficult to sex using morphological characters or traditional molecular sexing methods. In this study, we developed probabilistic models for sexing birds using quantitative PC
Authors
Eleni Leto Petrou, Laura Celeste Scott, Cherie Marie Mckeeman, Andrew M. Ramey
By
Alaska Science Center

Environmental DNA as a tool for better understanding the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic and Pacific salmon

The development and application of approaches to detect and quantify environmental DNA (eDNA) have potential to improve our understanding of the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar and Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. Here, we review 61 articles focusing on eDNA applications pertaining to salmon occupying natural habitat and aquaculture facilities in the context of a
Authors
Andrew M. Ramey, Cherie Marie Mckeeman, Eleni Leto Petrou, Damian M. Menning, Ora L. Russ, Andrés López
By
Alaska Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Spies I, Drinan D, Petrou EL, Tarpey C, and Hauser L. 2021. Evidence for divergent selection and spatial differentiation in a putative zona pellucida gene is indicative of local adaptation in Pacific cod. Ecology and Evolution.
Chamberlin J*, Petrou EL*, Barsh R, Juanes F, Qualley J, and Hauser L. 2021. Phenological diversity of a prey species supports life-stage specific foraging opportunity for a mobile consumer. ICES Journal of Marine Science. * Equal first authors
Petrou EL, Fuentes-Pardo A, Rogers LA, Orobko M, Tarpey C, Jimenez-Hidalgo I, Moss M, Lepofsky D, Yang D, Pitcher TJ, Sandell T, Lowry D, Ruzzante DE, and Hauser L. 2021. Functional genetic diversity in an exploited marine species and its relevance to fisheries management. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.
Crosman KM, Petrou EL, Rudd MB, Tillotson M. 2019. Clam hunger and the changing ocean: characterizing social and ecological risks to the Quinault razor clam fishery using participatory modeling. Ecology and Society, 24(2):16.
Petrou EL, Drinan D, Kopperl R, Lepofsky D, Yang D, Moss M, Hauser L. 2019. Intraspecific DNA contamination distorts subtle population structure in a marine fish: decontamination of herring samples before restriction-site associated (RAD) sequencing and its effects on population genetic statistics. Molecular Ecology Resources, 19(1): 1131-1143.
Petrou EL, Seeb JE, Hauser L, Witteveen MJ, Templin WD, and Seeb L. 2014. Fine-scale sampling reveals distinct isolation by distance patterns in chum salmon populations occupying a glacially dynamic environment. Conservation Genetics, 15(1): 229-243.
Petrou EL, Hauser L, Waples RS, Seeb JE, Gomez-Uchida D, and Seeb LW. 2013. Secondary contact and changes in coastal habitat availability influence the nonequilibrium population structure of a salmonid. Molecular Ecology, 22(23): 5848-5860.
Coffroth MA, Poland DM, Petrou EL, Brazeau DA, and Holmberg JC. 2010. Environmental symbiont acquisition may not be the solution to warming seas for reef-building corals. PLoS One, 5(10): e13258.
Petrou EL, Kopperl R, Lepofsky D, Rodrigues AT, Yang D, Moss ML, CF Speller, and Hauser L. 2022. Ancient DNA reveals phenological diversity of Coast Salish herring harvests over multiple centuries. Scientific Reports 12, 13512. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-17656-4

**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

  • Data

    Molecular Sexing of Birds Using Quantitative PCR (qPCR) of Sex-Linked Genes and Logistic Models

    This dataset provides cycle threshold (Ct) values achieved during qPCR for 6 sex-linked genes, and two autosomal genes, for individuals from 60 species and across 13 orders of birds.
    By
    Alaska Science Center, Molecular Ecology Laboratory
  • Publications

    Molecular sexing of birds using quantitative PCR (qPCR) of sex-linked genes and logistic regression models

    The ability to sex individuals is an important component of many behavioural and ecological investigations and provides information for demographic models used in conservation and species management. However, many birds are difficult to sex using morphological characters or traditional molecular sexing methods. In this study, we developed probabilistic models for sexing birds using quantitative PC
    Authors
    Eleni Leto Petrou, Laura Celeste Scott, Cherie Marie Mckeeman, Andrew M. Ramey
    By
    Alaska Science Center

    Environmental DNA as a tool for better understanding the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic and Pacific salmon

    The development and application of approaches to detect and quantify environmental DNA (eDNA) have potential to improve our understanding of the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar and Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. Here, we review 61 articles focusing on eDNA applications pertaining to salmon occupying natural habitat and aquaculture facilities in the context of a
    Authors
    Andrew M. Ramey, Cherie Marie Mckeeman, Eleni Leto Petrou, Damian M. Menning, Ora L. Russ, Andrés López
    By
    Alaska Science Center

    Non-USGS Publications**

    Spies I, Drinan D, Petrou EL, Tarpey C, and Hauser L. 2021. Evidence for divergent selection and spatial differentiation in a putative zona pellucida gene is indicative of local adaptation in Pacific cod. Ecology and Evolution.
    Chamberlin J*, Petrou EL*, Barsh R, Juanes F, Qualley J, and Hauser L. 2021. Phenological diversity of a prey species supports life-stage specific foraging opportunity for a mobile consumer. ICES Journal of Marine Science. * Equal first authors
    Petrou EL, Fuentes-Pardo A, Rogers LA, Orobko M, Tarpey C, Jimenez-Hidalgo I, Moss M, Lepofsky D, Yang D, Pitcher TJ, Sandell T, Lowry D, Ruzzante DE, and Hauser L. 2021. Functional genetic diversity in an exploited marine species and its relevance to fisheries management. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.
    Crosman KM, Petrou EL, Rudd MB, Tillotson M. 2019. Clam hunger and the changing ocean: characterizing social and ecological risks to the Quinault razor clam fishery using participatory modeling. Ecology and Society, 24(2):16.
    Petrou EL, Drinan D, Kopperl R, Lepofsky D, Yang D, Moss M, Hauser L. 2019. Intraspecific DNA contamination distorts subtle population structure in a marine fish: decontamination of herring samples before restriction-site associated (RAD) sequencing and its effects on population genetic statistics. Molecular Ecology Resources, 19(1): 1131-1143.
    Petrou EL, Seeb JE, Hauser L, Witteveen MJ, Templin WD, and Seeb L. 2014. Fine-scale sampling reveals distinct isolation by distance patterns in chum salmon populations occupying a glacially dynamic environment. Conservation Genetics, 15(1): 229-243.
    Petrou EL, Hauser L, Waples RS, Seeb JE, Gomez-Uchida D, and Seeb LW. 2013. Secondary contact and changes in coastal habitat availability influence the nonequilibrium population structure of a salmonid. Molecular Ecology, 22(23): 5848-5860.
    Coffroth MA, Poland DM, Petrou EL, Brazeau DA, and Holmberg JC. 2010. Environmental symbiont acquisition may not be the solution to warming seas for reef-building corals. PLoS One, 5(10): e13258.
    Petrou EL, Kopperl R, Lepofsky D, Rodrigues AT, Yang D, Moss ML, CF Speller, and Hauser L. 2022. Ancient DNA reveals phenological diversity of Coast Salish herring harvests over multiple centuries. Scientific Reports 12, 13512. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-17656-4

    **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.