Mark Miller
Mark Miller is an RGE-EDGE Senior Scientist with the USGS Office of Science Quality and Integrity (OSQI).
Mark Miller is a broadly trained biologist with a strong background in ecology, genetics, and statistics. He also possesses exceptional computational skills backed by the ability to communicate with both general and technical audiences. Prior to joining OSQI, his research primarily focused on analyses of wildlife and endangered species that are relevant to USGS and other DOI bureaus. Mark has been located in Lakewood, Colorado since 2020.
Education and Certifications
B.S. Auburn University (Zoology)
M.S. Virginia Tech (Biology)
Ph.D. Northern Arizona University (Biology)
Science and Products
Data and source code from "Estimating inbreeding rates in natural populations: addressing the problem of incomplete pedigrees" Data and source code from "Estimating inbreeding rates in natural populations: addressing the problem of incomplete pedigrees"
We used Monte Carlo simulations to compare properties of the two estimators and determine their utility for empirical analyses. Simulations were performed using idealized populations that were tracked over 15 generations. Separate simulations were performed using generation sizes of 100 individuals (50 male and 50 females) or 20 individuals (10 males and 10 females). In each generation...
Evaluating rehabilitation efforts following the Milford Flat Fire: Successes, failures, and controlling factorsData Evaluating rehabilitation efforts following the Milford Flat Fire: Successes, failures, and controlling factorsData
Uncontrolled wildfire in arid and semiarid ecosystems has become an increasing concern in recent decades. Active rehabilitation of fire-affected areas is often quickly initiated to minimize long-term ecosystem damage. However, the complex soil-geomorphic-vegetation patterns and low and variable moisture conditions in these regions makes restoration challenging. To further inform these...
Filter Total Items: 75
Evaluating establishment success of non-native fishes introduced to inland aquatic habitats of tropical Pacific islands Evaluating establishment success of non-native fishes introduced to inland aquatic habitats of tropical Pacific islands
An information-theoretic approach was used to evaluate non-native freshwater fish species introduced to insular habitats of Hawaii and Guam comparing successful establishments vs. failures. Since the late 1800s, as many as 81 non-native freshwater fish species have been recorded as introduced to Hawaii and Guam (combined) and 50 (62%) of these are documented as having one or more...
Authors
Stephen Walsh, Leo Nico, Mark W. Miller
Water priorities for the Nation—USGS Integrated Water Science basins Water priorities for the Nation—USGS Integrated Water Science basins
The United States faces growing challenges to its water supply, infrastructure, and aquatic ecosystems because of population growth, climate change, floods, and droughts. To help address these challenges, the U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Mission Area is integrating recent advances in monitoring, research, and modeling to improve assessments of water availability throughout the...
Authors
Mark P. Miller, Sandra M. Eberts, Lori A. Sprague
U.S. Geological Survey wildland fire science strategic plan, 2021–26 U.S. Geological Survey wildland fire science strategic plan, 2021–26
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan defines critical, core fire science capabilities for understanding fire-related and fire-responsive earth system processes and patterns, and informing management decision making. Developed by USGS fire scientists and executive leadership, and informed by conversations with external stakeholders, the Strategic Plan is...
Authors
Paul F. Steblein, Rachel A. Loehman, Mark P. Miller, Joseph R. Holomuzki, Suzanna C. Soileau, Matthew L. Brooks, Mia Drane-Maury, Hannah M. Hamilton, Jason W. Kean, Jon E. Keeley, Mason, Alexa McKerrow, James Meldrum, Edmund B. Molder, Sheila F. Murphy, Birgit Peterson, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Douglas J. Shinneman, Phillip J. van Mantgem, Alison York
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Science Synthesis, Analysis, and Research Program, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Alaska Science Center, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wildland Fire Science
Conservation genetics of imperiled striped whipsnake in Washington Conservation genetics of imperiled striped whipsnake in Washington
Conservation of wide-ranging species is aided by population genetic information that provides insights into adaptive potential, population size, interpopulation connectivity, and even extinction risk in portions of a species range. The Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) occurs across 11 western U.S. states and into Mexico but has experienced population declines in parts of its...
Authors
David S. Pilliod, Lisa A. Hallock, Mark P. Miller, Thomas D. Mullins, Susan M. Haig
Water priorities for the Nation—U.S. Geological Survey Integrated Water Availability Assessments Water priorities for the Nation—U.S. Geological Survey Integrated Water Availability Assessments
The United States faces growing challenges to its water supply, infrastructure, and aquatic ecosystems because of population growth, climate change, floods and droughts, and aging water delivery systems. To help address these challenges, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Resources Mission Area has established new strategic priorities that capitalize on the operational and...
Authors
Mark P. Miller, Brian R. Clark, Sandra M. Eberts, Patrick M. Lambert, Patricia Toccalino
Genetic identification of African pangolins and their origin in illegal trade Genetic identification of African pangolins and their origin in illegal trade
To track the illegal pangolin trade from Africa to Asia, we analyzed 1800 DNA samples from 30 seizures of African pangolin scales in Hong Kong during the period 2012–2016. We concluded that all four African pangolin species were present in trade, and that the white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) appeared most frequently (88.5%) in our samples. All six previously described...
Authors
Huarong Zhang, Gary Ades, Mark P. Miller, Feng Yang, Kwok-wai Lai, Gunter A. Fischer
Non-USGS Publications**
Safner, T., Miller, M.P., McRae, B.H., Fortin, M., Manel, S., 2011, Comparison of Bayesian clustering andedge detection methods for inferring boundaries in landscape genetics: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, v. 12, p. 865-889.
Fernandes, E., Keyser, C.A., Chong, J.P., Rangel, D., Miller, M.P., Roberts, D.W., 2010, Characterization of Metarhiziumspecies and varieties based on molecular analysis, heat tolerance and cold activity: Journal of Applied Microbiology, v. 108, p. 115-128.
Fernandes, E., Moraes, A.L., Pacheco, R.S., Rangel, D., Miller, M.P., Bittencourt, V., Roberts, D.W., 2009, Genetic diversity among Brazilian isolates of Beauveria bassiana - comparisons with non-Brazilian isolates and other Beauveria species: Journal of Applied Microbiology, v. 107, p. 760-774.
Schultheis, A.S., Booth, J.Y., Vinson, M.R., Miller, M.P., 2008, Genetic evidence for cohort splitting in the merovoltine stonefly Pteronarcys californica (Newport) in Blacksmith Fork, Utah: Aquatic Insects, v. 30, no. 3, p. 187-195.
Miller, M.P., Vincent, R., 2008, Rapid natural selection for resistance to an introduced parasite of rainbow trout: Evolutionary Applications, v. 1, p. 336-341.
Barni, F., Berti, A., Pianese, A., Boccellino, A., Miller, M.P., Caperna, A., Lago, G., 2007, Allele frequencies of 15 autosomal STR loci in the Iraq population with comparisons to other populations from the middle-eastern region: Forensic Science International, v. 167, p. 87-92.
Wagner, E.J., Wilson, C., Arndt, R., Goddard, P., Miller, M.P., Hodgson, A., Vincent, R., Mock, K., 2006, Evaluation of disease resistance of the Fish Lake–DeSmet, Wounded Man, and Harrison Lake strains of rainbow trout exposed to Myxobolus cerebralis: Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, v. 18, p. 128-135.
Miller, M.P., Weigel, D.E., Mock, K., Roth, B., 2006, Evidence for an outcrossing reproductive strategy in the hermaphroditic heterobranch gastropod Valvata utahensis (Valvatidae), with notes on the genetic differentiation of V. utahensis and V. humeralis: Journal of Molluscan Studies, v. 72, p. 397-403.
Miller, M.P., Weigel, D.E., Mock, K., 2006, Patterns of genetic structure in the endangered aquatic gastropod Valvata utahensis (Mollusca - Valvatidae) at small and large spatial scales: Freshwater Biology, v. 51, p. 2362-2375.
Miller, M.P., 2005, Alleles In Space (AIS) - Computer software for the joint analysis of interindividual spatial and genetic information: Journal of Heredity, v. 96, no. 6, p. 722-724.
Mock, K., Miller, M.P., 2005, Patterns of molecular diversity in naturally occurring and refugial populations of the least chub: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, v. 134, p. 267-278.
Shuster, S.M., Miller, M.P., Lang, B.K., Zorich, N., Huynh, L., Keim, P., 2005, The effects of controlled propagation on an endangered species - genetic differentiation and divergence in body size among native and captive populations of the Socorro Isopod (Crustacea- Flabellifera): Conservation Genetics, v. 6, p. 355-368.
Mock, K., Brim-Box, J.C., Miller, M.P., Downing, M.E., Hoeh, W.R., 2004, Genetic diversity and divergence among freshwater mussel (Anodonta) populations in the Bonneville Basin of Utah: Molecular Ecology, v. 13, p. 1085-1098.
Miller, M.P., Parker, J.D., Kumar, S., 2003, Quantifying the intragenic distribution of human disease mutations: Annals of Human Genetics, v. 67, p. 567-579.
Miller, M.P., Blinn, D.W., Keim, P., 2002, Correlations between observed dispersal capabilities and patterns of genetic differentiation in populations of four aquatic insect species from the Arizona White Mountains, USA: Freshwater Biology, v. 47, p. 1660-1673.
Miller, M.P., Kumar, S., 2001, Understanding human disease mutations through the use of interspecific genetic variation: Human Molecular Genetics, v. 10, no. 21, p. 2319-2328.
Miller, M.P., Stevens, L.E., Busch, J., Sorensen, J.A., Keim, P., 2000, Amplified fragment length polymorphism and mitochondrial sequence data detect genetic differentiation and relationships in endangered southwestern USA ambersnails (Oxyloma spp.): Canadian Journal of Zoology, v. 78, p. 1845-1854.
Busch, J., Miller, M.P., Paxton, E.H., Sogge, M.K., Keim, P., 2000, Genetic variation in the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher: Auk, v. 117, no. 3, p. 586-595.
Miller, M.P., 1999, MANTEL-STRUCT- A program for the detection of population structure via mantel tests: Journal of Heredity, v. 90, no. 1, p. 258-259.
Miller, M.P., Kimberling, D.N., Keim, P., 1999, Re-analysis of genetic structure among populations of Rana pipiens in Arizona and Utah: The Southwest Naturalist, v. 44, no. 4, p. 527-530.
Miller, M.P., Hendricks, A.C., 1996, Zinc resistance in Chironomus riparius - Evidence for physiological and genetic components: Journal of the North American Benthological Society, v. 15, no. 1, p. 106-116.
**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 and source code from "Estimating inbreeding rates in natural populations: addressing the problem of incomplete pedigrees" Data and source code from "Estimating inbreeding rates in natural populations: addressing the problem of incomplete pedigrees"
We used Monte Carlo simulations to compare properties of the two estimators and determine their utility for empirical analyses. Simulations were performed using idealized populations that were tracked over 15 generations. Separate simulations were performed using generation sizes of 100 individuals (50 male and 50 females) or 20 individuals (10 males and 10 females). In each generation...
Evaluating rehabilitation efforts following the Milford Flat Fire: Successes, failures, and controlling factorsData Evaluating rehabilitation efforts following the Milford Flat Fire: Successes, failures, and controlling factorsData
Uncontrolled wildfire in arid and semiarid ecosystems has become an increasing concern in recent decades. Active rehabilitation of fire-affected areas is often quickly initiated to minimize long-term ecosystem damage. However, the complex soil-geomorphic-vegetation patterns and low and variable moisture conditions in these regions makes restoration challenging. To further inform these...
Filter Total Items: 75
Evaluating establishment success of non-native fishes introduced to inland aquatic habitats of tropical Pacific islands Evaluating establishment success of non-native fishes introduced to inland aquatic habitats of tropical Pacific islands
An information-theoretic approach was used to evaluate non-native freshwater fish species introduced to insular habitats of Hawaii and Guam comparing successful establishments vs. failures. Since the late 1800s, as many as 81 non-native freshwater fish species have been recorded as introduced to Hawaii and Guam (combined) and 50 (62%) of these are documented as having one or more...
Authors
Stephen Walsh, Leo Nico, Mark W. Miller
Water priorities for the Nation—USGS Integrated Water Science basins Water priorities for the Nation—USGS Integrated Water Science basins
The United States faces growing challenges to its water supply, infrastructure, and aquatic ecosystems because of population growth, climate change, floods, and droughts. To help address these challenges, the U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Mission Area is integrating recent advances in monitoring, research, and modeling to improve assessments of water availability throughout the...
Authors
Mark P. Miller, Sandra M. Eberts, Lori A. Sprague
U.S. Geological Survey wildland fire science strategic plan, 2021–26 U.S. Geological Survey wildland fire science strategic plan, 2021–26
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan defines critical, core fire science capabilities for understanding fire-related and fire-responsive earth system processes and patterns, and informing management decision making. Developed by USGS fire scientists and executive leadership, and informed by conversations with external stakeholders, the Strategic Plan is...
Authors
Paul F. Steblein, Rachel A. Loehman, Mark P. Miller, Joseph R. Holomuzki, Suzanna C. Soileau, Matthew L. Brooks, Mia Drane-Maury, Hannah M. Hamilton, Jason W. Kean, Jon E. Keeley, Mason, Alexa McKerrow, James Meldrum, Edmund B. Molder, Sheila F. Murphy, Birgit Peterson, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Douglas J. Shinneman, Phillip J. van Mantgem, Alison York
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Science Synthesis, Analysis, and Research Program, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Alaska Science Center, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wildland Fire Science
Conservation genetics of imperiled striped whipsnake in Washington Conservation genetics of imperiled striped whipsnake in Washington
Conservation of wide-ranging species is aided by population genetic information that provides insights into adaptive potential, population size, interpopulation connectivity, and even extinction risk in portions of a species range. The Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) occurs across 11 western U.S. states and into Mexico but has experienced population declines in parts of its...
Authors
David S. Pilliod, Lisa A. Hallock, Mark P. Miller, Thomas D. Mullins, Susan M. Haig
Water priorities for the Nation—U.S. Geological Survey Integrated Water Availability Assessments Water priorities for the Nation—U.S. Geological Survey Integrated Water Availability Assessments
The United States faces growing challenges to its water supply, infrastructure, and aquatic ecosystems because of population growth, climate change, floods and droughts, and aging water delivery systems. To help address these challenges, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Resources Mission Area has established new strategic priorities that capitalize on the operational and...
Authors
Mark P. Miller, Brian R. Clark, Sandra M. Eberts, Patrick M. Lambert, Patricia Toccalino
Genetic identification of African pangolins and their origin in illegal trade Genetic identification of African pangolins and their origin in illegal trade
To track the illegal pangolin trade from Africa to Asia, we analyzed 1800 DNA samples from 30 seizures of African pangolin scales in Hong Kong during the period 2012–2016. We concluded that all four African pangolin species were present in trade, and that the white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) appeared most frequently (88.5%) in our samples. All six previously described...
Authors
Huarong Zhang, Gary Ades, Mark P. Miller, Feng Yang, Kwok-wai Lai, Gunter A. Fischer
Non-USGS Publications**
Safner, T., Miller, M.P., McRae, B.H., Fortin, M., Manel, S., 2011, Comparison of Bayesian clustering andedge detection methods for inferring boundaries in landscape genetics: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, v. 12, p. 865-889.
Fernandes, E., Keyser, C.A., Chong, J.P., Rangel, D., Miller, M.P., Roberts, D.W., 2010, Characterization of Metarhiziumspecies and varieties based on molecular analysis, heat tolerance and cold activity: Journal of Applied Microbiology, v. 108, p. 115-128.
Fernandes, E., Moraes, A.L., Pacheco, R.S., Rangel, D., Miller, M.P., Bittencourt, V., Roberts, D.W., 2009, Genetic diversity among Brazilian isolates of Beauveria bassiana - comparisons with non-Brazilian isolates and other Beauveria species: Journal of Applied Microbiology, v. 107, p. 760-774.
Schultheis, A.S., Booth, J.Y., Vinson, M.R., Miller, M.P., 2008, Genetic evidence for cohort splitting in the merovoltine stonefly Pteronarcys californica (Newport) in Blacksmith Fork, Utah: Aquatic Insects, v. 30, no. 3, p. 187-195.
Miller, M.P., Vincent, R., 2008, Rapid natural selection for resistance to an introduced parasite of rainbow trout: Evolutionary Applications, v. 1, p. 336-341.
Barni, F., Berti, A., Pianese, A., Boccellino, A., Miller, M.P., Caperna, A., Lago, G., 2007, Allele frequencies of 15 autosomal STR loci in the Iraq population with comparisons to other populations from the middle-eastern region: Forensic Science International, v. 167, p. 87-92.
Wagner, E.J., Wilson, C., Arndt, R., Goddard, P., Miller, M.P., Hodgson, A., Vincent, R., Mock, K., 2006, Evaluation of disease resistance of the Fish Lake–DeSmet, Wounded Man, and Harrison Lake strains of rainbow trout exposed to Myxobolus cerebralis: Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, v. 18, p. 128-135.
Miller, M.P., Weigel, D.E., Mock, K., Roth, B., 2006, Evidence for an outcrossing reproductive strategy in the hermaphroditic heterobranch gastropod Valvata utahensis (Valvatidae), with notes on the genetic differentiation of V. utahensis and V. humeralis: Journal of Molluscan Studies, v. 72, p. 397-403.
Miller, M.P., Weigel, D.E., Mock, K., 2006, Patterns of genetic structure in the endangered aquatic gastropod Valvata utahensis (Mollusca - Valvatidae) at small and large spatial scales: Freshwater Biology, v. 51, p. 2362-2375.
Miller, M.P., 2005, Alleles In Space (AIS) - Computer software for the joint analysis of interindividual spatial and genetic information: Journal of Heredity, v. 96, no. 6, p. 722-724.
Mock, K., Miller, M.P., 2005, Patterns of molecular diversity in naturally occurring and refugial populations of the least chub: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, v. 134, p. 267-278.
Shuster, S.M., Miller, M.P., Lang, B.K., Zorich, N., Huynh, L., Keim, P., 2005, The effects of controlled propagation on an endangered species - genetic differentiation and divergence in body size among native and captive populations of the Socorro Isopod (Crustacea- Flabellifera): Conservation Genetics, v. 6, p. 355-368.
Mock, K., Brim-Box, J.C., Miller, M.P., Downing, M.E., Hoeh, W.R., 2004, Genetic diversity and divergence among freshwater mussel (Anodonta) populations in the Bonneville Basin of Utah: Molecular Ecology, v. 13, p. 1085-1098.
Miller, M.P., Parker, J.D., Kumar, S., 2003, Quantifying the intragenic distribution of human disease mutations: Annals of Human Genetics, v. 67, p. 567-579.
Miller, M.P., Blinn, D.W., Keim, P., 2002, Correlations between observed dispersal capabilities and patterns of genetic differentiation in populations of four aquatic insect species from the Arizona White Mountains, USA: Freshwater Biology, v. 47, p. 1660-1673.
Miller, M.P., Kumar, S., 2001, Understanding human disease mutations through the use of interspecific genetic variation: Human Molecular Genetics, v. 10, no. 21, p. 2319-2328.
Miller, M.P., Stevens, L.E., Busch, J., Sorensen, J.A., Keim, P., 2000, Amplified fragment length polymorphism and mitochondrial sequence data detect genetic differentiation and relationships in endangered southwestern USA ambersnails (Oxyloma spp.): Canadian Journal of Zoology, v. 78, p. 1845-1854.
Busch, J., Miller, M.P., Paxton, E.H., Sogge, M.K., Keim, P., 2000, Genetic variation in the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher: Auk, v. 117, no. 3, p. 586-595.
Miller, M.P., 1999, MANTEL-STRUCT- A program for the detection of population structure via mantel tests: Journal of Heredity, v. 90, no. 1, p. 258-259.
Miller, M.P., Kimberling, D.N., Keim, P., 1999, Re-analysis of genetic structure among populations of Rana pipiens in Arizona and Utah: The Southwest Naturalist, v. 44, no. 4, p. 527-530.
Miller, M.P., Hendricks, A.C., 1996, Zinc resistance in Chironomus riparius - Evidence for physiological and genetic components: Journal of the North American Benthological Society, v. 15, no. 1, p. 106-116.
**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.