Erin received her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from The Ohio State University. She started her career at the USGS in 2006 at the Ohio Water Science Center. Currently, Erin is working on a variety of molecular microbiological topics including: cyanobacterial toxin genes, taste and odor genes, enteric viruses, and eDNA.
Science and Products
Environmental detection of avian influenza virus
USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory - Cyanobacteria and toxin gene molecular assays
Using models to estimate microcystin concentrations in Ohio recreational and source waters
Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)
Ohio Microbiology Program - Home
Biodegradation Of Microcystins In Lake Erie Source Waters And Filters From Drinking-Water Plants
Sampling information and water-quality data collected during viable avian influenza virus sampling in Iowa wetlands, 2022
Cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected at twelve large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2019
SARS-CoV-2 Data from National Wastewater Surveillance System Surge Capacity Sampling, September 2021
Phytoplankton data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2018
Cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2018
Data and model archive for multiple linear regression models for prediction of weighted cyanotoxin mixture concentrations and microcystin concentrations at three recurring bloom sites in Kabetogama Lake in Minnesota
Laboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory
Laboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory, 2012-2017

Environmental surveillance and detection of infectious highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Iowa wetlands
Metagenomic mapping of cyanobacteria and potential cyanotoxin producing taxa in large rivers of the United States
Using cyanobacteria and other phytoplankton to assess trophic conditions: A qPCR-based, multi-year study in twelve large rivers across the United States
Cyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase gene, and cyanotoxin occurrence among selected large river sites of the conterminous United States, 2017–18
Cyanotoxin mixture models: Relating environmental variables and toxin co-occurrence to human exposure risk
Toxic cyanobacterial blooms, often containing multiple toxins, are a serious public health issue. However, there are no known models that predict a cyanotoxin mixture (anatoxin-a, microcystin, saxitoxin). This paper presents two cyanotoxin mixture models (MIX) and compares them to two microcystin (MC) models from data collected in 2016–2017 from three recurring cyanobacterial bloom locations in Ka
Predicting microcystin concentration action-level exceedances resulting from cyanobacterial blooms in selected lake sites in Ohio
Nowcasting methods for determining microbiological water quality at recreational beaches and drinking-water source waters
Phytoplankton community and algal toxicity at a recurring bloom in Sullivan Bay, Kabetogama Lake, Minnesota, USA
Kabetogama Lake in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA suffers from recurring late summer algal blooms that often contain toxin-producing cyanobacteria. Previous research identified the toxin microcystin in blooms, but we wanted to better understand how the algal and cyanobacterial community changed throughout an open water season and how changes in community structure were related to toxin pr
Selected water-quality data from the Cedar River and Cedar Rapids well fields, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2008–17
The Cedar River alluvial aquifer is the primary source of municipal water in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Municipal wells are completed in the alluvial aquifer about 40 to 80 feet below land surface. The City of Cedar Rapids and the U.S. Geological Survey have led a cooperative study of the groundwater-flow system and water quality of the aquifer since 1992. Cooperative reports between the City of Cedar Ra
Multi-year microbial source tracking study characterizing fecal contamination in an urban watershed
Microbiological and hydrological data were used to rank tributary stream contributions of bacteria to the Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri. Concentrations, loadings and yields of E. coli and microbial source tracking (MST) markers, were characterized during base flow and storm events in five subbasins within Independence, as well as sources entering and leaving the city through the rive
Estimating microcystin levels at recreational sites in western Lake Erie and Ohio
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major global water-quality issue. Water-resource managers need tools to quickly predict when and where toxin-producing cyanoHABs will occur. This could be done by using site-specific models that estimate the potential for elevated toxin concentrations that cause public health concerns. With this study
Multi-laboratory survey of qPCR enterococci analysis method performance in U.S. coastal and inland surface waters
Science and Products
- Science
Environmental detection of avian influenza virus
A collaborative project with Federal and university partners working toward the goal of understanding avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in the environment: early detection, enhancing biosurveillance, and mitigation to reduce spread into domestic poultry and potential occupational or recreational exposure to humans.USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory - Cyanobacteria and toxin gene molecular assays
Harmful cyanobacterial “algal” blooms and associated toxins are of concern in many parts of the world because of their effects on drinking water, water-based recreation, and watershed ecology. Cyanotoxins are a diverse group of compounds that include hepatotoxins, neurotoxins, cytotoxins, dermatotoxins, and irritant toxins (Wiegand and Pflugmacher, 2005). Numerous incidents of animal and human...Using models to estimate microcystin concentrations in Ohio recreational and source waters
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major global water-quality issue. In Lake Erie and inland lakes in Ohio, elevated microcystin concentrations have caused water-resource managers to issue recreational water-quality advisories, and detections of microcystin in source waters have caused drinking-water plant managers to increase...Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasingly a global concern because HABs pose a threat to human and aquatic ecosystem health and cause economic damages. Toxins produced by some species of cyanobacteria (called cyanotoxins) can cause acute and chronic illnesses in humans and pets. Aquatic ecosystem health also is affected by cyanotoxins, as well as low dissolved oxygen...Ohio Microbiology Program - Home
The U.S. Geological Survey MI-OH Water Science Center Microbiology Laboratories in Lansing, Michigan and Columbus, Ohio address water-related public-health concerns across the Nation using traditional and cutting-edge analytical approaches. The laboratories work with government agencies, academic institution, and regional and local partners to study the processes and anthropogenic influences that...Biodegradation Of Microcystins In Lake Erie Source Waters And Filters From Drinking-Water Plants
Harmful cyanobacterial “algal” blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major global water-quality issue. In Lake Erie, researchers and local health officials have identified the presence of cyanobacterial blooms during the summer and early fall seasons. This is especially pronounced in the Lake Erie Western Basin, where the City of Toledo was forced to issue a do-not... - Data
Sampling information and water-quality data collected during viable avian influenza virus sampling in Iowa wetlands, 2022
Data sets containing: (1) sampling information and equipment, (2) precipitation and air temperature data from Iowa counties containing wetlands sampled, (3) water quality measurements from Iowa wetlands sampled, (4) quality assurance quality control sample result information, and (4) similarities between the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus water sequence and other highly pathogenic avian influenza H5Cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected at twelve large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2019
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release provides discretely measured cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected from twelve large river sites throughout the United States, from June through October 2019. Discrete water-quality samples were analyzed for cyanotoxins (anatoxin, cylindrospermopsin, microcystin, and saxitoxin), chlorophyll-a, and cyanSARS-CoV-2 Data from National Wastewater Surveillance System Surge Capacity Sampling, September 2021
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is used to determine the consumption of, or exposure to, chemicals or pathogens in human populations, and is conducted by collecting representative samples of untreated wastewater (influent) to quantify pathogens shed in the population served by the sampled wastewater system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Department of Health anPhytoplankton data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2018
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data Release provides phytoplankton data for samples collected from eleven large river sites throughout the United States, from June through October 2018. All data are reported as raw calculated values and are not rounded to USGS significant figures. The dataset includes all routine and quality assurance/quality control samples collected as part of a National WatCyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2018
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release provides discretely measured cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected from eleven large river sites throughout the United States, from June through October 2018. Discrete water-quality samples were analyzed for cyanotoxins (anatoxin, cylindrospermopsin, microcystin, and saxitoxin), chlorophyll-a, and cyanData and model archive for multiple linear regression models for prediction of weighted cyanotoxin mixture concentrations and microcystin concentrations at three recurring bloom sites in Kabetogama Lake in Minnesota
Multiple linear regression models were developed using data collected in 2016 and 2017 from three recurring bloom sites in Kabetogama Lake in northern Minnesota. These models were developed to predict concentrations of cyanotoxins (anatoxin-a, microcystin, and saxitoxin) that occur within the blooms. Virtual Beach software (version 3.0.6) was used to develop four models: two cyanotoxin mixture (MILaboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory
This dataset contains data tables of laboratory quality-control data associated with environmental samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The environmental samples were collected across the United States by USGS National Projects and projects in Water Science Centers. These quality-control data can be used tLaboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory, 2012-2017
This dataset contains data tables of laboratory quality-control data associated with environmental samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) during federal fiscal years 2012-2017 (October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2017). The environmental samples were collected across the United States by the USGS National W - Multimedia
Erin Stelzer arriving to MI-BaRL lab with truck carrying over 1100 liters of wetland water prepped for avian influenza study
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 25
Environmental surveillance and detection of infectious highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Iowa wetlands
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) infect both wild birds and domestic poultry, resulting in economically costly outbreaks that have the potential to impact public health. Currently, a knowledge gap exists regarding the detection of infectious AIVs in the aquatic environment. In response to the 2021–2022 Eurasian strain highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 clade 2.3.4.4 liAuthorsLaura E. Hubbard, Carrie E Givens, Erin Stelzer, Mary L. Killian, Dana W. Kolpin, Christine M. Szablewski, Rebecca L. PoulsonMetagenomic mapping of cyanobacteria and potential cyanotoxin producing taxa in large rivers of the United States
Cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin producing cyanobacterial blooms are a trending focus of current research. Many studies focus on bloom events in lentic environments such as lakes or ponds. Comparatively few studies have explored lotic environments and fewer still have examined the cyanobacterial communities and potential cyanotoxin producers during ambient, non-bloom conditions. Here we used a metagenAuthorsD.M. Linz, N. Sienkiewicz, I. Struewing, Erin Stelzer, Jennifer L. Graham, Jingrang LuUsing cyanobacteria and other phytoplankton to assess trophic conditions: A qPCR-based, multi-year study in twelve large rivers across the United States
Phytoplankton is the essential primary producer in fresh surface water ecosystems. However, excessive phytoplankton growth due to eutrophication significantly threatens ecologic, economic, and public health. Therefore, phytoplankton identification and quantification are essential to understanding the productivity and health of freshwater ecosystems as well as the impacts of phytoplankton overgrowtAuthorsChiqian Zhang, Kyle D. McIntosh, Nathan Sienkiewicz, Erin Stelzer, Jennifer L. Graham, Jingrang LuCyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase gene, and cyanotoxin occurrence among selected large river sites of the conterminous United States, 2017–18
The U.S. Geological Survey measured cyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase genes, and cyanotoxins at 11 river sites throughout the conterminous United States in a multiyear pilot study during 2017–19 through the National Water Quality Assessment Project to better understand the occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in large inland and coastal rivers. This report focuses on the first 2 years ofAuthorsRobert E. Zuellig, Jennifer L. Graham, Erin A. Stelzer, Keith A. Loftin, Barry H. RosenCyanotoxin mixture models: Relating environmental variables and toxin co-occurrence to human exposure risk
Toxic cyanobacterial blooms, often containing multiple toxins, are a serious public health issue. However, there are no known models that predict a cyanotoxin mixture (anatoxin-a, microcystin, saxitoxin). This paper presents two cyanotoxin mixture models (MIX) and compares them to two microcystin (MC) models from data collected in 2016–2017 from three recurring cyanobacterial bloom locations in Ka
AuthorsVictoria Christensen, Erin Stelzer, Barbara C. Scudder Eikenberry, Hayley T. Olds, Jaime F. LeDuc, Ryan P. Maki, Jack E. Norland, Eakalak KhanPredicting microcystin concentration action-level exceedances resulting from cyanobacterial blooms in selected lake sites in Ohio
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms and the toxins they produce are a global water-quality problem. Monitoring and prediction tools are needed to quickly predict cyanotoxin action-level exceedances in recreational and drinking waters used by the public. To address this need, data were collected at eight locations in Ohio, USA, to identify factors significantly related to observed concentrations ofAuthorsDonna S. Francy, Amie M.G. Brady, Erin Stelzer, Jessica Cicale, Courtney Paige Hackney, Harrison D Dalby, Pamela Struffolino, Daryl F. DwyerNowcasting methods for determining microbiological water quality at recreational beaches and drinking-water source waters
Nowcasts are tools used to provide timely and accurate water-quality assessments of threats to drinking-water and recreational resources from fecal contamination or cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms. They use mathematical models and techniques to provide near-real-time estimates of fecal-indicator bacteria (FIB) and cyanotoxin concentrations. Techniques include logic-based thresholds, decision tAuthorsDonna S. Francy, Amie M.G. Brady, Jessica Cicale, Harrison D Dalby, Erin StelzerPhytoplankton community and algal toxicity at a recurring bloom in Sullivan Bay, Kabetogama Lake, Minnesota, USA
Kabetogama Lake in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA suffers from recurring late summer algal blooms that often contain toxin-producing cyanobacteria. Previous research identified the toxin microcystin in blooms, but we wanted to better understand how the algal and cyanobacterial community changed throughout an open water season and how changes in community structure were related to toxin pr
AuthorsVictoria Christensen, Ryan P. Maki, Erin Stelzer, Jack E. Norland, Eakalak KhanSelected water-quality data from the Cedar River and Cedar Rapids well fields, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2008–17
The Cedar River alluvial aquifer is the primary source of municipal water in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Municipal wells are completed in the alluvial aquifer about 40 to 80 feet below land surface. The City of Cedar Rapids and the U.S. Geological Survey have led a cooperative study of the groundwater-flow system and water quality of the aquifer since 1992. Cooperative reports between the City of Cedar Ra
AuthorsShannon M. Meppelink, Erin A. Stelzer, Emilia L. Bristow, Gregory R. LittinMulti-year microbial source tracking study characterizing fecal contamination in an urban watershed
Microbiological and hydrological data were used to rank tributary stream contributions of bacteria to the Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri. Concentrations, loadings and yields of E. coli and microbial source tracking (MST) markers, were characterized during base flow and storm events in five subbasins within Independence, as well as sources entering and leaving the city through the rive
AuthorsRebecca N. Bushon, Amie M.G. Brady, Eric D. Christensen, Erin A. StelzerEstimating microcystin levels at recreational sites in western Lake Erie and Ohio
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major global water-quality issue. Water-resource managers need tools to quickly predict when and where toxin-producing cyanoHABs will occur. This could be done by using site-specific models that estimate the potential for elevated toxin concentrations that cause public health concerns. With this study
AuthorsDonna S. Francy, Amie M.G. Brady, Christopher D. Ecker, Jennifer L. Graham, Erin A. Stelzer, Pamela Struffolino, Keith A. LoftinMulti-laboratory survey of qPCR enterococci analysis method performance in U.S. coastal and inland surface waters
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has become a frequently used technique for quantifying enterococci in recreational surface waters, but there are several methodological options. Here we evaluated how three method permutations, type of mastermix, sample extract dilution and use of controls in results calculation, affect method reliability among multiple laboratories with respect to samAuthorsRichard A. Haugland, Shawn Siefring, Manju Varma, Kevin H. Oshima, Mano Sivaganesan, Yiping Cao, Meredith Raith, John Griffith, Stephen B. Weisberg, Rachel T. Noble, A. Denene Blackwood, Julie Kinzelman, Tamara Anan'eva, Rebecca N. Bushon, Erin A. Stelzer, Valarie J. Harwood, Katrina V. Gordon, Christopher Sinigalliano