Karyn Rode, Ph.D.
As a Research Wildlife Biologist, I conduct studies focused on the ecology, physiology, and behavior of large mammals to understand their response to environmental change, identify what environmental or ecological factors (e.g., prey availability, winter temperature, ice availability, etc.) most influence whether a population increases, decreases, or is stable, and to maintain positive wildlife-hu
I work with international and bilateral groups, such as the Polar Bear Range States and US-Russia Polar Bear Commission, DOI partners, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. National Park Service, Alaska Native co-management groups, and local and state governments to identify and address research needs for polar bears and walruses. My research focuses primarily on identifying biological and ecological indicators for monitoring large mammal populations and ecosystem change and determining mechanisms of population regulation in response to environmental change. I also study wildlife interactions with humans in areas of industry, via tourism and recreation, and in local communities to help minimize or avoid negative effects on wildlife and ensure human safety. Much of my work is centered on nutritional and physiological ecology and its effects on wildlife body condition, reproduction, and survival. Often, I work to develop new methods needed to address information needs. Although all research questions pertain to wild populations, I also regularly conduct studies with animals in zoos and other captive settings where more detailed study of animal physiology and development of new research techniques are possible.
Professional Experience
Mar 2012 - Present Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center
Oct 2006 - Feb 2012 Wildlife Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service Polar Bear Program, Anchorage, Alaska
Jan 2006 - Oct 2006 Research Associate, Cornell University, Forest Elephant program
June 2002 - Dec 2005 Contract wildlife biologist - Alaska Department of Fish and Game/PhD candidate - Washington State University
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Washington State University Zoology
M.S. Washington State University Zoology
B.S. Colorado State University Wildlife Biology
Affiliations and Memberships*
2020 - present Vice President- Americas, International Association of Bear Research and Management
2017 - present International Association of Bear Research and Management Grants Review Committee
2017 - present Member of the American Zoological Association’s Polar Bear Research Council
2015 - present Member of Science/TEK working group of the US Fish and Wildlife Service Polar Bear Recovery Team
2009 - 2010 Secretary/Treasurer of the Alaska chapter of the Wildlife Society
2008 - present Member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Polar bear specialist group
2007 - present Member of the Scientific/TEK working group under the US-Russia polar bear commission
Science and Products
Accelerometer Data from Collared Female Polar Bears in the Beaufort Sea, 2009-2016
Data from a Circumpolar Survey on Recreational Activities in Polar Bear Habitat, 2017-2018
Denning Behavior Classifications Using Temperature Sensor Data on Collars Deployed on Polar Bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea, 1986-2013
Fatty Acid Signature Data of Chukchi Sea Polar Bears, 2008-2015
Summer Activity Sensor Data from Collars Deployed on Female Polar Bears in the Chukchi Sea 1989 to 1995 and Southern Beaufort Sea 1989 to 2014
Stable Isotope Data from Diets and Tissues of Captive Bears Fed Experimental Diets
Recreation Survey Results in Brown Bear Habitats, 2013
Chukchi Sea Polar Bear Locations, 1985-1996
Assessing the robustness of quantitative fatty acid signature analysis to assumption violations (Supplementary data)
New insights into dietary management of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and brown bears (U. arctos)
Long-term variation in polar bear body condition and maternal investment relative to a changing environment
Fatty acid profiles of feeding and fasting bears: Estimating calibration coefficients, the timeframe of diet estimates, and selective mobilization during hibernation
Iñupiaq knowledge of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Demographic risk assessment for a harvested species threatened by climate change: Polar bears in the Chukchi Sea
Energetic and health effects of protein overconsumption constrain dietary adaptation in an apex predator
Seal body condition and atmospheric circulation patterns influence polar bear body condition, recruitment, and feeding ecology in the Chukchi Sea
Re-examination of population structure in Arctic ringed seals using DArTseq genotyping
Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
Brown Bear (Ursus arctos; North America)
Identifying reliable indicators of fitness in polar bears
Catalogue of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) maternal den locations in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas and nearby areas, 1910–2018
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.
Science and Products
Accelerometer Data from Collared Female Polar Bears in the Beaufort Sea, 2009-2016
Data from a Circumpolar Survey on Recreational Activities in Polar Bear Habitat, 2017-2018
Denning Behavior Classifications Using Temperature Sensor Data on Collars Deployed on Polar Bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea, 1986-2013
Fatty Acid Signature Data of Chukchi Sea Polar Bears, 2008-2015
Summer Activity Sensor Data from Collars Deployed on Female Polar Bears in the Chukchi Sea 1989 to 1995 and Southern Beaufort Sea 1989 to 2014
Stable Isotope Data from Diets and Tissues of Captive Bears Fed Experimental Diets
Recreation Survey Results in Brown Bear Habitats, 2013
Chukchi Sea Polar Bear Locations, 1985-1996
Assessing the robustness of quantitative fatty acid signature analysis to assumption violations (Supplementary data)
New insights into dietary management of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and brown bears (U. arctos)
Long-term variation in polar bear body condition and maternal investment relative to a changing environment
Fatty acid profiles of feeding and fasting bears: Estimating calibration coefficients, the timeframe of diet estimates, and selective mobilization during hibernation
Iñupiaq knowledge of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Demographic risk assessment for a harvested species threatened by climate change: Polar bears in the Chukchi Sea
Energetic and health effects of protein overconsumption constrain dietary adaptation in an apex predator
Seal body condition and atmospheric circulation patterns influence polar bear body condition, recruitment, and feeding ecology in the Chukchi Sea
Re-examination of population structure in Arctic ringed seals using DArTseq genotyping
Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
Brown Bear (Ursus arctos; North America)
Identifying reliable indicators of fitness in polar bears
Catalogue of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) maternal den locations in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas and nearby areas, 1910–2018
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.
*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