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Hilary Starks, M.S.
Senior Research Associate
B.S. Aquatic Biology, M.S. Ocean Sciences
Phone: (916) 250-2327
West Sacramento, California
Hilary has over 10 years of experience developing and implementing molecular genetic techniques for use in population ecology and management. She has applied these techniques to examine the coho salmon population in the Klamath River and to help inform coho hatchery practices in California. More recently, her research has focused on developing and implementing environmental DNA detection methods to investigate patterns of biodiversity in marine systems.
Selected Publications
Djurhuus, A., C. J. Closek, R. P. Kelly, K. J. Pitz, R. P. Michisaki, H. A. Starks, K. R. Walz, E. A. Andruszkiewicz, E. Olesin, K. Hubbard, E. Montes, D. Otis, F. E. Muller-Karger, F. P. Chavez, A. B. Boehm, and M. Breitbart. 2020. Environmental DNA reveals seasonal shifts and potential interactions in a marine community. Nature Communications 11(254). DOI:10.1038/s41467-019-14105-1.
Closek, C. J., J. A. Santora, H. A. Starks, I. D. Schroeder, E. A. Andruszkiewicz, K. M. Sakuma, S. J. Bograd, E. L. Hazen, J. C. Field, and A. B. Boehm. 2019. Marine vertebrate biodiversity and distribution within the central California Current using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and ecosystem surveys. Frontiers in Marine Science 6(732). DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00732.
Andruszkiewicz, E. A., H. A. Starks, F. P. Chavez, L. M. Sassoubre, B. A. Block, and A. B. Boehm. 2017. Biomonitoring of marine vertebrates in Monterey Bay using eDNA metabarcoding. PLoS One 12:e0176343. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176343
Starks, H. A., A. J. Clemento, and J. C. Garza. 2015. Discovery and characterization of single nucleotide polymorphisms in coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch. Molecular Ecology Resources 16:277-287. DOI:10.1111/1755-0998.12430 .
Clemento, A. J., A. Abadía-Cardoso, H. A. Starks, and J. C. Garza. 2011. Discovery and characterization of single nucleotide polymorphisms in Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. Molecular Ecology Resources 11(Suppl. 1):50-66. DOI:10.1111/j.1755-0998.2010.02972.x.