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M. Renee Bellinger

Specialty: Genomics, including conservation genomics, genome biology, population genetics, and transcriptomics.

Research Interests: ecology and conservation of animals and plants; holobionts and endosymbiosis; migration; sensory mechanisms, especially magnetoreception.

Personal interests: rockwork, gardening, family.

M. Renee Bellinger is a Research Geneticist at the Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center based in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Her research focuses on applying genetic tools to understand population dynamics of native and invasive species, the impact of population bottlenecks on genetic diversity and fitness, and the relationship between genome-wide diversity, adaptation, and resilience to climate change. 

Professional Experience

  • Academic Appointments

  • 2020- Affiliate Faculty, Department of Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hilo, Hawai‘i

  • 2019-21 Affiliate Faculty, Oregon State University, College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Corvallis, Oregon 

  • 2016-20 Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hilo, Hawai‘i

  • Employment History

  • 2021- Research Geneticist, USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai‘i

  • 2020-21 Research Specialist, Hawaii Cooperative Study Unit, University of Hawaii at Hilo

  • 2015-20 Bioinformatics / genomics Post-doctoral fellow, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo 

  • 2015-18 Lecturer, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

  • 2014 Visiting Scientist, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France (May)

  • 2003-2011 Research Assistant/Project Coordinator, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon

  • 2001-2003 Geneticist, USGS, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon

  • 1997-1999 Biological Field Assistant, USGS, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Flagstaff, Arizona

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Fisheries Science; Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (2014)

  • M.S. Biology University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2001) 

  • B.S. Wildlife Management, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California (1997) 

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Genetics Association

Honors and Awards

  • Stevan Phelps Memorial Award, Genetics Section - American Fisheries Society, best genetics paper, "Use of Genetic Stock Identification Data for Comparison..." (Satterthwaite et al. 2015)

  • College of Agricultural Sciences Outstanding Departmental Student Award, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University. (2012)

  • Thomas G. Scott Outstanding Ph.D. student in Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University. (2011)

  • The James and Mildred Oldfield/E.R. Jackman Team Award, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University. Award to Project CROOS, Collaborative Research on Oregon Ocean Salmon. (2009)

  • Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contribution to the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division. (2004)

Science and Products

*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