About the Genetics and Evolution Program

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

The Genetics and Evolution Program is organized into two primary groups: Molecular Genetics, and Quantitative Genetics & Diversity. Program scientists conduct research and analyses to support NOAA’s mission of conservation and management of marine and anadromous organisms. Primary program activities focus on research in population genetics, genomics, and quantitative genetics, as well as on providing genetic analysis of forensic evidence in support of NMFS Office of Law Enforcement activities.

Research activities range from assessing genetic and phenotypic variation to support conservation and recovery of listed species; analyzing composition of mixed fishery stocks (Genetic Stock Identification, or GSI); estimating reproductive success in wild or naturally spawning populations; characterizing components of adaptive evolution; determining the evolutionary consequences of inbreeding within and interbreeding among distinct populations; exploring how life histories respond to selection such as size-selective exploitation; and evaluating hatchery domestication and climate change. Current research projects include study sites from California to Alaska involving diverse marine organisms such as salmon and steelhead, killer whales, Pacific herring, hake, rockfish, eulachon, tunicates, abalone, corals and sponges.

Copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus)

The Molecular Genetics laboratories are located in 3 facilities around Puget Sound (the Center’s Montlake, Manchester and Mukilteo campuses) and have the capacity to analyze tens of thousands of samples a year. As the center of NOAA’s genetic expertise in the Pacific Northwest, staff scientists in the Genetics and Evolution Program have diverse expertise in population, molecular and quantitative genetics, phylogenetics, and genomics, and maintain active collaborations with other government, academic and private institutions.

Please contact Dr. Jeff Hard for more information.