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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

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A researcher gathering mosquito larvae from Delta pool

eDNA to Inform Invasive Mosquito Distribution

We are using environmental DNA samples to assess habitat occupancy of the invasive southern house mosquito in Kīpahulu Valley, Maui. An understanding of mosquito distribution is critical to developing and implementing tools to prevent the transmission of avian malaria, a primary threat to Hawaiian forest birds.
By
Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
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eDNA to Inform Invasive Mosquito Distribution

We are using environmental DNA samples to assess habitat occupancy of the invasive southern house mosquito in Kīpahulu Valley, Maui. An understanding of mosquito distribution is critical to developing and implementing tools to prevent the transmission of avian malaria, a primary threat to Hawaiian forest birds.
Learn More
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Image: An Endangered Honeycreeper, the `Akeke`e (Kauai Akepa), in Hawaii

Identifying Genetic Diversity of Wolbachia Bacteria for Mosquito Control

We are sequencing the DNA of Wolbachia bacteria found in mosquito populations in Hawai’i and those used for mosquito control. We are also developing sample processing techniques to increase the efficiency and accuracy of monitoring mosquito control efforts to help long-term survival and restoration of Hawaiian forest bird populations.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
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Identifying Genetic Diversity of Wolbachia Bacteria for Mosquito Control

We are sequencing the DNA of Wolbachia bacteria found in mosquito populations in Hawai’i and those used for mosquito control. We are also developing sample processing techniques to increase the efficiency and accuracy of monitoring mosquito control efforts to help long-term survival and restoration of Hawaiian forest bird populations.
Learn More

Hawaiian hoary bat population genetics 1988 to 2020

Genetic diversity levels, effective population size estimates, and population structure of the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus, also known as Aeorestes semotus) were examined across the islands of Hawai‘i, Maui, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i using eighteen nuclear microsatellite loci and one mitochondrial gene from 339 individuals collected between 1988 and 2020. The study extracted DNA for po
By
Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

Genetic diversity, structure, and effective population size of an endangered, endemic hoary bat, ʻōpeʻapeʻa, across the Hawaiian Islands

Island bat species are disproportionately at risk of extinction, and Hawaiʻi’s only native terrestrial land mammal, the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus) locally known as ʻōpeʻapeʻa, is no exception. To effectively manage this bat species with an archipelago-wide distribution, it is important to determine the population size on each island and connectivity between islands. We used 18 nuclear m
Authors
Corinna Pinzari, Mona Renee Bellinger, Donald K. Price, Frank J Bonaccorso
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

The conservation genetics juggling act: Integrating genetics and ecology, science and policy

The field of conservation genetics, when properly implemented, is a constant juggling act integrating molecular genetics, ecology, and demography with applied aspects concerning managing declining species or implementing conservation laws and policies. This young field has grown substantially since the 1980’s following development of the polymerase chain reaction and now into the genomics era. Our
Authors
Susan M. Haig, Mark P. Miller, Renee Bellinger, Hope M. Draheim, Dacey Mercer, Thomas D. Mullins
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Effects of historical climate change, habitat connectivity, and vicariance on genetic structure and diversity across the range of the Red Tree Vole (Phenacomys longicaudus) in the Pacific Northwest United States

Phylogeographical analyses conducted in the Pacific Northwestern United States have often revealed concordant patterns of genetic diversity among taxa. These studies demonstrate distinct North/South genetic discontinuities that have been attributed to Pleistocene glaciation. We examined phylogeographical patterns of red tree voles (Phenacomys longicaudus) in western Oregon by analysing mitochondri
Authors
Mark P. Miller, R.M. Bellinger, E.D. Forsman, Susan M. Haig
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Taxonomic relationships among Phenacomys voles as inferred by cytochrome b

Taxonomic relationships among red tree voles (Phenacomys longicaudus longicaudus, P. l. silvicola), the Sonoma tree vole (P. pomo), the white-footed vole (P. albipes), and the heather vole (P. intermedius) were examined using 664 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Results indicate specific differences among red tree voles, Sonoma tree voles, white-footed voles, and heather voles, b
Authors
M.R. Bellinger, S. M. Haig, E.D. Forsman, T.D. Mullins
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

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

*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