Deb Iwanowicz and Christine Densmore Logging in first wastewater samples in BSL3 Lab.
W. Bane Schill
W. Bane Schill is a multidisciplinary scientist working at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center in Kearneysville, WV since 1979.
Current Position
The scientist formulates and conducts basic molecular biological research involving multiple disciplines relating to fishery and aquatic animal health and genetics. The scientist designs and implements state of the art procedures of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics, genetics, immunology, bacteriology, parasitology and virology. Overall responsibilities are for all phases of the research cycle including 1) the design of studies relevant to the mission of USGS and supportive of DOI Bureau needs; 2) the garnering of funding from in-house sources and competitive grants; 3) the development and validation of techniques; 4) experimental data collection; and 5) the dissemination of the results via the preparation and submission of progress and evaluation reports, scientific papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at scientific meetings, or other appropriate means.
Education and Certifications
B.S. Chemistry 1971 Shepherd College Shepherdstown, WV
B.S. Biology 1979 Shepherd College Shepherdstown, WV
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Society for Microbiology
American Chemical Society
National Shellfisheries Association
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
Honors and Awards
2003, Journal of Aquatic Animal Health Best Paper Award 2003
1998, American Fisheries Society Most Significant Paper Award
1996, U.S. Dept. of Interior On-the-Spot Award
1983, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Achievement Award
Science and Products
Novel approach using flocculation to concentrate edna to search for early invasions of specific aquatic invasive species
Developing and testing eDNA markers for the Federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon and other key freshwater mussel species
Development of Deployable Multispectral Sensors for Monitoring
Molecular tools and methodologies
Cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins and associated characteristics across the North Atlantic Appalachian Region
SARS-CoV-2 Data from National Wastewater Surveillance System Surge Capacity Sampling, September 2021
Matrix inhibition PCR and Microtox 81.9% screening assay analytical results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Deb Iwanowicz and Christine Densmore Logging in first wastewater samples in BSL3 Lab.
Deb Iwanowicz and Christine Densmore processing first wastewater samples in BSL3 Lab.
Deb Iwanowicz and Christine Densmore processing first wastewater samples in BSL3 Lab.
A meta-analysis of the stony coral tissue loss disease microbiome finds key bacteria in unaffected and lesion tissue in diseased colonies
Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has been causing significant whole colony mortality on reefs in Florida and the Caribbean. The cause of SCTLD remains unknown, with the limited concurrence of SCTLD-associated bacteria among studies. We conducted a meta-analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene datasets generated by 16 field and laboratory SCTLD studies to find consistent bacteria associated with S
Freshwater unionid mussels threatened by predation of Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus)
Rapid implementation of high-frequency wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2
Novel microbiome dominated by Arcobacter during anoxic excurrent flow from an ocean blue hole in Andros Island, The Bahamas
Capture of environmental DNA (eDNA) from water samples by flocculation
Molecular identification of fecal contamination in the Elks Run Watershed, Jefferson County, West Virginia, 2016–17
Detecting the undetectable: Characterization, optimization, and validation of an eDNA detection assay for the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon (Bivalvia: Unionoida)
Establishing molecular methods to quantitatively profile gastric diet items of fish—Application to the invasive blue catfish (ictalurus furcatus)
The complete maternal mitochondrial genome sequences of two imperiled North American freshwater mussels: Alasmidonta heterodon and Alasmidonta varicosa (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Unionidae)
Endozoicomonas dominates the gill and intestinal content microbiomes of Mytilus edulis from Barnegat Bay, New Jersey
Potential concerns with analytical Methods Used for the detection of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans from archived DNA of amphibian swab samples, Oregon, USA
Strategy to evaluate persistent contaminant hazards resulting from sea-level rise and storm-derived disturbances—Study design and methodology for station prioritization
Science and Products
Novel approach using flocculation to concentrate edna to search for early invasions of specific aquatic invasive species
Developing and testing eDNA markers for the Federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon and other key freshwater mussel species
Development of Deployable Multispectral Sensors for Monitoring
Molecular tools and methodologies
Cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins and associated characteristics across the North Atlantic Appalachian Region
SARS-CoV-2 Data from National Wastewater Surveillance System Surge Capacity Sampling, September 2021
Matrix inhibition PCR and Microtox 81.9% screening assay analytical results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Deb Iwanowicz and Christine Densmore Logging in first wastewater samples in BSL3 Lab.
Deb Iwanowicz and Christine Densmore Logging in first wastewater samples in BSL3 Lab.
Deb Iwanowicz and Christine Densmore processing first wastewater samples in BSL3 Lab.
Deb Iwanowicz and Christine Densmore processing first wastewater samples in BSL3 Lab.
A meta-analysis of the stony coral tissue loss disease microbiome finds key bacteria in unaffected and lesion tissue in diseased colonies
Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has been causing significant whole colony mortality on reefs in Florida and the Caribbean. The cause of SCTLD remains unknown, with the limited concurrence of SCTLD-associated bacteria among studies. We conducted a meta-analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene datasets generated by 16 field and laboratory SCTLD studies to find consistent bacteria associated with S
Freshwater unionid mussels threatened by predation of Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus)
Rapid implementation of high-frequency wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2
Novel microbiome dominated by Arcobacter during anoxic excurrent flow from an ocean blue hole in Andros Island, The Bahamas
Capture of environmental DNA (eDNA) from water samples by flocculation
Molecular identification of fecal contamination in the Elks Run Watershed, Jefferson County, West Virginia, 2016–17
Detecting the undetectable: Characterization, optimization, and validation of an eDNA detection assay for the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon (Bivalvia: Unionoida)
Establishing molecular methods to quantitatively profile gastric diet items of fish—Application to the invasive blue catfish (ictalurus furcatus)
The complete maternal mitochondrial genome sequences of two imperiled North American freshwater mussels: Alasmidonta heterodon and Alasmidonta varicosa (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Unionidae)
Endozoicomonas dominates the gill and intestinal content microbiomes of Mytilus edulis from Barnegat Bay, New Jersey
Potential concerns with analytical Methods Used for the detection of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans from archived DNA of amphibian swab samples, Oregon, USA
Strategy to evaluate persistent contaminant hazards resulting from sea-level rise and storm-derived disturbances—Study design and methodology for station prioritization
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government