The primary focus my research in recent years has been the application of genetics to species of conservation concern. This has included endangered species, candidate species for listing as endangered, and species impacted by hybridization and invasive species. Some examples of these species include the endangered Topeka shiner, American bison, American Dipper, smooth green snake and mountain goat.
I also have an interest in the molecular genetics and evolution of the prion gene (PRNP). I am especially interested the application of an evolutionary paradigm to understanding the prion diseases (transmissible spongiform encephalopathies). I am particularly interested in the genetics of resistance to TSE and cross-species transmission of prions.
Publications
Anderson, C.M. and S.K. Sarver. 2008. Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the endangered Topeka shiner, Notropis topeka. (Molecular Ecology Notes 8(2):311-313)
Anderson, C.M., Spellman, G., Ferrell, C.S., and S.K. Sarver. 2008. Conservation genetics of American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus): the genetic status of a population in severe decline. (in press, Conservation Genetics)
Maj, A., Spellman, G.M., and S.K. Sarver. 2008. The complete CDS of the prion protein gene of African lion. (in press, Virus Genes).
Sarver, S.K., Anderson, C.M., Cain, F.H., and B. Smith. Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for the smooth green snake Opheodrys vernalis. (submitted, Molecular Ecology Notes)
Maj, A, Cain, F.H., and S.K. Sarver. Molecular evidence for scrapie susceptibility in mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus). (submitted, Virus Genes).
Anderson, C.M., Berger, T., Cain, F and S.K. Sarver. 2006. Detection of bison/cattle hybridization in Custer State Park breeding bulls using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers: tools for conservation and management. (Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science 85:119-127)
Ptacek, M.B., Sarver, S.K., Childress M.J., and W.F. 2001. Herrnkind Molecular Phylogeny of the Spiny Lobster Genus Panulirus (Decapoda: Palinuridae) (Marine and Freshwater Research 52:1037-1047).
Sarver, S.K., Freshwater, D.W. and P.J. Walsh. 2000. The Occurrence of the Brazilian Sub-Species of the Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus westonii) in Florida waters. (Fishery Bulletin 98:870-873).
Freshwater, D.W. Kyhn-Hansen, Sarver, S.K. and P.J. Walsh. 2000. Phylogeny of Opsanus (Batrachoididae) Inferred From Multiple Mitochondrial DNA Sequences (Marine Biology 136:961-968)
Sarver, S.K., Silberman, J.D., and P.J. Walsh. 1998. Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Evidence Supports the Recognition of Two Subspecies or Species of the Florida Spiny Lobster Panulirus argus. (Journal of Crustacean Biology 18(1):177-186).
Sarver, S.K., Freshwater, D.W. and P.J. Walsh. 1996. Phylogenetic Relationships of the Western Atlantic Snappers (Family Lutjanidae) Based on Mitochondrial DNA Sequences. (Copeia(3):715-721).
Foltz, D.W., Sarver. S.K. and A.W. Hrincevich. 1995. Genetic structure of Brackish Water Clams (Rangia spp.). (Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 23(3):223-233).
Silberman, J.D., Sarver, S.K. and P.J. Walsh. 1994. Mitochondrial DNA Variation and Population Structure in the Spiny Lobster, Panulirus argus. (Marine Biology 120:601-608).
Silberman, J.D., Sarver, S.K. and P.J. Walsh 1994. Mitochondrial DNA Variation Among Seasonal Cohorts of Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) Postlarvae. (Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology 3(3):165-170).
Sarver, S.K. and D.W. Foltz. 1993. Genetic Population Structure in a Species Complex of Blue Mussels (Mytilus spp.). (Marine Biology 117:105-112).
Sarver, S.K. 1993. Genetic Population Structure of a Species Complex of Blue Mussels (Mytilus spp.). Ph.D. dissertation. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
Sarver, S.K., Landrum, M.C. and D.W. Foltz 1992. Genetics and Taxonomy of Ribbed Mussels (Geukensia spp.). (Marine Biology 113:385-390).
Sarver, S.K., Katoh, M. and D.W. Foltz 1992. Apparent Overdominance of Enzyme Specific Activity in Two Marine Bivalves. (Genetica 85:231-239).
Sarver, S.K. and E.J. Loudenslager 1991. The Genetics of California Populations of the Blue Mussel: Further Evidence for the Existence of Electrophoretically Distinguishable Species or Subspecies. (Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 19(3):183-188).
Sarver, S.K. 1989. Genetic Differentiation of the Mussel Mytilus edulis Along the Coast of California and in Humboldt Bay. M.S. thesis. Humboldt State University, CA.
Sarver, S.K. 1988. Genetic Differentiation and Population Structure of the Bay Mussel (Mytilus edulis) in Humboldt Bay, California. (Telonicher Marine Laboratory Technical Report Series: 24).
Grants
2005-2007 South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks $41,112 Genetic Variation in the Smooth Green Snake.
2005-2007 Lawrence County Department of Weed and Pest Control and Barrick Gold Corporation $35,000 (Application of Genomics to the Control of Invasive Plants)
2008-2012 Program grant: National Science Foundation (STEP) $489,377 (Enhancing Survey Courses to Attract Biology Majors) (pending)
2008-2010 Program grant National Science Foundation (ISE) $376,676 (Informal Science Education on the Move) (pending)
2008-2010 Education grant: National Science Foundation (CCLI) $432,953 Using an Innovative Pedagogy and Faculty Research Activities to Restructure the Biology Survey Laboratory Curriculum at Black Hills State University (pending)
2008-2010 Equipment grant: National Science Foundation (MRI) $137,364 Acquisition of Instrumentation to support Genomics Research and Training at Black Hills State University (pending)
2008-2009 Education grant: State of South Dakota (Title IIa) $49,609 Inquiry-Based Approach to Enhance 6-12 Math & Science Education (pending)
2004-2009 Research/Development Grant: Department of Health and Human Services $16,148,165 (South Dakota Biomedical Infrastructure Network) (Co-Investigator)
2004-2005 Research Grant: Fish and Wildlife Service and South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks. $27,970 (Application of Microarrays to the Assessment of Population Health of Topeka Shiner)
2004-2006 Grant: Environmental Protection Agency $610,000 (Center for the Conservation of Biological Resources)
2003-2006 Equipment Grant: National Science Foundation (MRI) $118,000 (Acquisition of Equipment to Equip an Ecological Genomics Laboratory)
2002-2003 Research Grant: Fish and Wildlife Service and South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks. $24,395 (Genetic Health Assessment of Topeka Shiner).
2002-2003 Research Grant: South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks. $19,500 (Genetics of South Dakota Populations of Walleye)
2001-2004 Research/Development Grant: Department of Health and Human Services (South Dakota Biomedical Infrastructure Network) (Co-Investigator)
2001-2002 Research Grant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks $16,400 (Conservation Genetics of Natural Populations of Topeka Shiner)
2001-2002 Research Grant: South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks $7,000 (Genetic Analysis of a Monosex Population of Walleye)
2001 Research Grant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks $18,540 (Development of Microsatellite Markers for Topeka Shiner)
1999-2001 Equipment Grant: National Science Foundation (MRI) $88,000 (Acquisition of Equipment for a Molecular Genetics Laboratory to Support Research and Training)
1999-2002, Equipment and Curriculum Development Grant: National Science Foundation (CCLI/A&I) $123,511 (Conservation Genetics in Laboratories for Undergraduate and Secondary Students)
1999-2000 Research Grant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks $6,600 (Conservation of Genetic Resources and Biodiversity in Remnant Populations of the Topeka Shiner)
1998, Teaching Grant: State of South Dakota $17,132 (Teaching with Technology Award-Genetics)
1998, Teaching Grant: Instructional Improvement Grant, Black Hills State University $932.00 (The Addition of DNA Sequencing to an Integrated Genetics Laboratory)
1997, Research Grant: Faculty Research Grant, Black Hills State University, $2250.00 (Geographic Patterns of Genetic Differentiation Among Relict Populations of Finescale Dace Phoxinus neogaeus)
1997, Visiting Scientist Fellowship: Kimon T. Bird Visiting Marine Scientist Award, University of North Carolina, Center for Marine Science Research
1997, Instructional Improvement Grant: Black Hills State University, $2200.00 (DNASIS: A Comprehensive Nucleic Acid and Protein Analysis Computer Software Package)
1996, Research Grant: Faculty Research Grant, Black Hills State University, $2100.00 (Speciation in the Spiny Lobster Panulirus argus Based on mtDNA Sequence Analysis)
1992, Travel Grant: NSF Molecular Evolution Cluster Grant, Louisiana State University $500.00 (Travel to 1992 Evolution Society Meeting)
1988, Research Grant: Bill Burke Memorial Research Grant, Louisiana Marine Consortium Foundation Inc. $2,000 (Apparent Overdominance in Marine Bivalves)
1986, Research Grant: Humboldt State University Marine Sciences Steering Committee $3,000 (Genetic Population Structure in the Marine Mussel Mytilus)
