Patrick Hutchins
Patrick Hutchins manages the laboratory spaces at NOROCK and conducts research in detection of rare/cryptic species using molecular tools. His investigations range from threatened/endangered species to invasives to parasites. He has extensive experience in designing/validating molecular markers for eDNA and population genetics studies and has designed programming tools for qPCR curve analysis.
My laboratory experience ranges from fish dissection and histological, microscopy, and molecular sample preparation and preservation to next generation high throughput sequencing library preparation. I have extensive experience with methods pertaining to environmental DNA (eDNA) sample collection, processing, and analysis. My analytical skills span advanced curve analysis and transformation methods, linear and non-linear modeling, and both frequentist and Bayesian statistical methods. I am proficient with the R programming language and am familiar with Python. Regarding field-base skills, I am comfortable with coastal marine and inland waters motorized and non-motorized boat operation, multi-day backcountry operations under adverse conditions, being in the presence of large carnivores, and electrofishing with backpack, barge, and boat shocking equipment. I also have extensive experience operating handheld, electric, and heavy equipment for construction and carpentry tasks.
Professional Experience
Biologist, USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, MT, June 2022 - Present
Education and Certifications
M.S. Cellular, Molecular, and Microbiology, University of Montana
M.S. Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies, Coastal Carolina University
B.S. Marine Science, Coastal Carolina University
Science and Products
qPCR detection and quantitative results for Northern Pike (Esox lucius) from environmental (e)DNA samples collected along Miller Creek, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska in February and March of 2024
qpcr amplification data for tissue and water samples collected from glacier national park in 2020 amplified with a lednia tumana specific assay
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction detection data for controlled DNA contamination experiments
T. bryosalmonae detection in fish and water, DNA sequence, and simple sequence repeat data collected in the Inter-Mountain West from 2011 to 2019
Validation of a species-specific probe-based qPCR assay for the threatened meltwater stonefly, Lednia tumana, in environmental samples
Time to get real with qPCR controls: The frequency of sample contamination and the informative power of negative controls in environmental DNA studies
Effects of supplemental feeding on the fecal bacterial communities of Rocky Mountain elk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Exploration of the 2016 Yellowstone River fish kill and proliferative kidney disease in wild fish populations
Integrating environmental DNA results with diverse data sets to improve biosurveillance of river health
The elephant in the lab (and field): Contamination in aquatic environmental DNA studies
A round-robin evaluation of the repeatability and reproducibility of environmental DNA assays for dreissenid mussels
The Yellowstone River fish-kill: Fish health informs and is informed by vital signs monitoring
Adding invasive species bio-surveillance to the U.S. Geological Survey streamgage network
Tradeoffs of a portable, field-based environmental DNA platform for detecting invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) in Alaska
Improved conventional PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae DNA in fish tissues
A probe-based quantitative PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae in fish tissue and environmental DNA water samples
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
qPCR detection and quantitative results for Northern Pike (Esox lucius) from environmental (e)DNA samples collected along Miller Creek, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska in February and March of 2024
qpcr amplification data for tissue and water samples collected from glacier national park in 2020 amplified with a lednia tumana specific assay
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction detection data for controlled DNA contamination experiments
T. bryosalmonae detection in fish and water, DNA sequence, and simple sequence repeat data collected in the Inter-Mountain West from 2011 to 2019
Validation of a species-specific probe-based qPCR assay for the threatened meltwater stonefly, Lednia tumana, in environmental samples
Time to get real with qPCR controls: The frequency of sample contamination and the informative power of negative controls in environmental DNA studies
Effects of supplemental feeding on the fecal bacterial communities of Rocky Mountain elk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Exploration of the 2016 Yellowstone River fish kill and proliferative kidney disease in wild fish populations
Integrating environmental DNA results with diverse data sets to improve biosurveillance of river health
The elephant in the lab (and field): Contamination in aquatic environmental DNA studies
A round-robin evaluation of the repeatability and reproducibility of environmental DNA assays for dreissenid mussels
The Yellowstone River fish-kill: Fish health informs and is informed by vital signs monitoring
Adding invasive species bio-surveillance to the U.S. Geological Survey streamgage network
Tradeoffs of a portable, field-based environmental DNA platform for detecting invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) in Alaska
Improved conventional PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae DNA in fish tissues
A probe-based quantitative PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae in fish tissue and environmental DNA water samples
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.