Dr. Brian Sloss

Education

• Ph D Southern Illinois University at Carbondale 2001
• MS Western Illinois University 1996
• BS University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign 1991

Biography

I serve as the Unit Leader of the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit. I am a conservation geneticist focused primarily on aquatic and terrestrial resource management-related problems. I am originally from Illinois with degrees from the University of Illinois, Western Illinois University, and Southern Illinois University.

Research Interests

Currently, my research program can be divided into 4 primary areas: impacts of historical and contemporary fish stocking on genetic integrity, effects of broodstock selection strategies and culture techniques on the genetic diversity of propagated fish, restoration ecology and optimization of genetic diversity, and molecular ecology and the management of exploited fisheries. Species currently the focus of research in my lab include lake whitefish, walleye, muskellunge, lake sturgeon, rock bass, johnny darters, gartersnakes, elk, and bobcat.

Teaching Interests

I teach a graduate level course in ecological genetics. The class focuses on establishing a foundation of population genetics theory coupled with contemporary methods in conservation genetics and molecular ecology.

Professional Society Service

• American Fisheries Society - Chair, Genetics and Biodiversity Subcommittee (February 2003 - October 2012)
• American Fisheries Society - Invited reviewer for the Genetics Section of the American Fisheries Society's Outstanding Paper of the Year award (January 2009 - August 2011)
• American Fisheries Society - Representative, Education Section (October 2003 - September 2005)
• See All ...

Research Publications

• Meece, J.K., J.L. Anderson, S. Gruszka, B.L. Sloss, B. Sullivan, and K.D. Reed. 2012. Variation in clinical phenotype of human infection among genetic groups of Blastomyces dermatitidis. Journal of Infectious Diseases .
• Sonsthagen, S., R. Rosenfield, R. Murphy, A. Stewart, W. Stout, T. Driscoll, M.A. Bozek, B.L. Sloss, and S. Talbot. 2012. Genetic and morphological divergence among Cooper’s hawk populations breeding in north-central and western North America. The Auk 129:427-437. | Abstract | 
• Sloss, B.L., G.W. Schuurman, R.A. Paloski, O.D. Boyle, J.M. Kapfer. 2012. Novel microsatellite loci for studies of Thamnophis gartersnake genetic identity and hybridization. Conservation Genetics Resources 4:383-386. | Abstract | 
• See All ...

Current Projects

• Interaction of habitat availability and quality, population dynamics and characteristics, and genetic diversity in managed walleye (Sander vitreus) populations
• Determining the efficacy of genetic broodstock management of muskellunge in Wisconsin
• Initial observations on zebra mussels in two lakes in the Menominee River watershed, Wisconsin/Michigan

Completed Projects

• Molecular marker development for estimating genetic diversity within and among populations of eastern Gulf Slope threatened and endangered freshwater mussels
• Factors influencing genetic diversity of walleye, Sander vitreus, populations in Northern Wisconsin lakes
• Genetic structure of non-game fish species: Implications for fisheries management
• See All ...

Courses

• Ecological Genetics (2013)
• Conservation Genetics (2008)
• Conservation Ecology (2007)
• See All ...

Technical Publications

• Sloss, B.L. 2012. Genetic identity of Wisconsin Gartersnakes using microsatellite Genetic markers. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Research Report Series. 23 p.
• Sloss, B.L., J.A. VanDeHey, T.M. Sutton, P. Peeters, and P. Schneeberger. 2007. Genetic structure among Lake Michigan’s lake whitefish spawning aggregates. Final Report to Great Lakes Fishery Commission. 118 pp.
• Sloss, B.L. and R.P. Franckowiak. 2007. Genetic identification of potential cougar (Felis concolor) dung from Michigan. Technical report submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 11p.
• See All ...