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Our faculty

Adam Brandt
adam brandt

Adam Brandt is an associate professor of biology whose primary research interest is molecular ecology, specifically the subtopics of evolution, phylogenetics population and conservation genetics. He uses a blend of traditional molecular techniques and new technologies such as next generation sequencing to assist local and international agencies in making sound conservation and management decisions. Brandt favors the use of non-invasively collected DNA samples and collaborative relationships with state wildlife agencies and international conservation groups in furthering his research goals.

Student involvement is a major component of Brandt’s research model as a result of his own experience assisting professors and graduate students with their projects. He encourages students to take an active role in developing new skills while exploring their interests.

  • BIOL 120 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
  • BIOL 121 Introduction to Organismal Biology
  • BIOL 315 Animal Behavior
  • BIOL 389 Global Seminar: African Wildlife Conservation and Health
  • BIOL 410 Disease Ecology
  • BIOL 489 Special Topics: Evolution & Population Genetics
  • BIOL 489 Special Topics: Wildlife and Field Techniques

  • B.S. – Biology / Wildlife & Fisheries Science, Frostburg State University (2008)
  • M.S. – Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology, Frostburg State University (2010)
  • Ph.D. – Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2014)

  • Evolution
  • Phylogenetics
  • Population and conservation genetics
  • Wildlife management
  • Disease ecology
  • Animal behavior

[1] Ishida Y, Tian T, Brandt AL, Kelly AC, Shelton P, Roca AL, Novakofski J, and Mateus-Pinilla NM (2020) Association of chronic wasting disease susceptibility with prion protein variation in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Prion. Volume 14, Issue 1, 214-225.

[2] Rivera N, Brandt AL, Novakofski J and Mateus-Pinilla NM (2019) Chronic wasting disease in cervids: Prevalence, impact and management strategies. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports. Volume 10, 123-139.

[3] Zhao K, Ishida Y, Green CE, Davidson AG, Sitam FAT, Donnelly CL, de Flamingh A, Perrin-Stowe TIN, Bourgeois S, Brandt AL, Mundis SJ, van Aarde RJ, Greenberg JA, Malhi RS, Georgiadis NJ, McEwing R and AL Roca (2019) Loxodonta Localizer: inferring the provenance of African elephants and their ivory using mitochondrial DNA. Journal of Heredity. Volume 110, Issue 7, 761-768.

[4] Proulx G, Aubry KB, Brandt AL, Brandt JR, Sacks B, Sato JJ, and Serfass T (2018) Both reintroduction and recolonization likely contributed to the re-establishment of a fisher population in east-central Alberta. Canadian Wildlife Biology and Management. Volume 7, Issue 2, 96-100.

[5] Brandt AL, Green ML, Ishida Y, Roca AL, Novakofski J, and Mateus-Pinilla NE (2018) Influence of the geographic distribution of prion protein gene sequence variation on patterns of chronic wasting disease spread in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Prion. Volume 12, Issue 3-4, 204-215.

[6] Grigorev K, Kliver S, Dobrynin P, Komissarov A, Wolfsberger W, Krasheninnikova K, Afanador-Hernández YM, Brandt AL, Paulino LA, Carreras R, Rodríguez LE, Núñez A, Brandt JR, Silva F, Majeske AJ, Hernández-Martich D, Antunes A, O'Brien SJ; Roca AL, Martinez-Cruzado JC, and Oleksyk TK (2018) Innovative assembly strategy contributes to understanding the evolution and conservation genetics of the endangered Solenodon paradoxus from the island of Hispaniola. GigaScience. Volume 7, Issue 6, giy025.

[7] Brandt AL†, Grigorev K†, Afanador-Hernández YM, Paulino LA, Murphy WJ, Núñez A, Komissarov A, Brandt JR, Dobrynin P, Hernández-Martich JD, María R, O’Brien SJ, Rodríguez LE, Martínez-Cruzado JC, Oleksyk TK and Roca AL (2017) Mitogenomic sequences support a north-south subspecies subdivision within Solenodon paradoxus. Mitochondrial DNA Part A. Volume 28, Issue 5, 662-670.

[8] Brandt AL, Kelly AC, Green ML, Shelton P, Novakofski J, and Mateus-Pinilla NE (2015) Prion protein gene sequence and chronic wasting disease susceptibility in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Prion. Volume 9, 449-462.

[9] Roca AL, Ishida Y, Brandt AL, Benjamin NR, Zhao K, Georgiadis, NJ (2015) Elephant natural history: A genomic perspective. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences. Volume 3, 20.1-20.29.

[10] Brandt AL, Hagos Y, Yacob Y, David V, Georgiadis NJ and Roca AL (2014) The elephants of Gash-Barka, Eritrea: Nuclear and mitochondrial genetic patterns. Journal of Heredity. Volume 105, Issue 1, 82–90.

[11] Brandt JR, Brandt AL, Ammer FK, Roca AL and Serfass TL (2014) Impact of population expansion on genetic diversity and structure of river otters (Lontra canadensis) in central North America. Journal of Heredity. Volume 105, Issue 1, 39-47.

[12] Brandt AL, Ishida Y, Georgiadis NJ and Roca AL (2012) Forest elephant mitochondrial genomes reveal that elephantid diversification in Africa tracked climate transitions. Molecular Ecology. Volume 21, 1175-1189.