Conservation & Science Staff Bios

Sarah Long, M.S.

  Director
Population Management Center

Education

  • M.S. - Biology, Prairie Dog Communication, Northern Arizona University
  • B.S. - Biology, DePaul University

Areas of Expertise

  • Demographic and genetic management of small populations
  • Pedigree analysis and development of pedigree assumptions
  • Population management of group-living species

About Sarah Long:

Sarah has been with the Population Management Center (PMC) since its inception in 2000, serving as a scientific advisor for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) cooperatively managed animal populations. Her population biology work focuses on conducting genetic and demographic analyses and preparing breeding and transfer plans for more than 400 species managed in more than 200 AZA-accredited zoos. 

In addition to advising zoo population managers, Sarah directs daily PMC operations, supervises other PMC staff and contributes to the development of software and methodologies relating to the management of small populations.  

Prior to joining Lincoln Park Zoo, Sarah worked as a research and herbarium database assistant at the Field Museum, a plant biology instructor and a keeper intern at Brookfield Zoo.

Publications

Ballou, J., Lees, C., Faust, L., Long, S., Lynch, C., Bingaman-Lackey, L., and Foose, T. 2010. Demographic and Genetic management of captive populations for conservation. Wild Mammals in Captivity. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois.
Long, S., Lynch, C. and Van Dyke, F.  2003. Designing a captive breeding plan with real world constraints. A workbook in conservation biology: solving practical problems in conservation, 63-67.
Long, S., Lynch, C. and Van Dyke, F. 2003. Implementing alternative captive breeding strategies. A workbook in conservation biology: solving practical problems in conservation, 57-61.
Long, S., Lynch, C. and Van Dyke, F. 2003. Managing gene diversity in captive populations. A workbook in conservatin biology: solving practical problems in conservation, 49-56.
Long, S., Lynch, C. and Van Dyke, F. 2003. Simple pedigree analysis. A workbook in conservation biology: solving practical problems in conservation, 1-47.