Dr. Caldwell Hahn is an Emeritus at the Eastern Ecological Science Center
Dr. Caldwell Hahn works on wildlife disease and ecological immunology. She is currently collaborating to use peptide arrays to characterize the immune and metabolic responses of black and mallard ducks (Anas spp). to avian influenza. She is also characterizing the innate immune responses (degranulation & oxidative burst) of several duck species at the PWRC waterfowl complex, including black duck and lesser scaup, a diving duck. Previously Dr. Hahn characterized the immune responses of both raptors and songbirds utilizing experimental infection with the invasive West Nile virus (WNV) and endemic encephalitis viruses (SLEV, WEEV). She has also worked with CDC, Dr. Nicholas Komar, and University of Colorado Vet School, Drs Richard Bowen and Nicole Nemeth, passive immunity of screech owls to WNV via maternal antibodies. Dr. Hahn began to work on how immune adaptations are shaped by species’ niche and life history while working with the New World cowbirds, a genus of avian brood parasites (Molothrus, Icteridae). Her initial discovery that the principal North American brood parasite, the brown-headed cowbird, inhabits a niche with heightened exposure to ectoparasites (avian lice ; Phthiraptera) led to her examining and characterizing several of the cowbird’s immune adaptations to its parasitic life history strategy, including: (1) greater resistance to infection with WNV and other virulent encephalitis viruses when compared with related, non-parasitic species; (2) more effective innate immune responses (degranulation and oxidative burst); and (3) higher levels of particular immune components in their eggs. She is also investigating relationships between immune and endocrine adaptations.
Recent Accomplishments
Education
- Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Post-doctoral Fellow in Sociobiology, advisor Bert Holldober
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Center, Post-doctoral Fellow in Sociobiology, advisor Mary Jane West Eberhard
- Rutgers University, Ph.D., Institute of Animal Behavior, behavioral ecology, advisor Colin Beer, Richard D. Alexander
- Tufts University, M.S., animal behavior, advisor, Benjamin Dane
- Wellesley College, B.A.
Professional Studies/Experience
- Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Research Biologist, 1990-present
- Rutgers University, Adjunct Faculty, 2007-present
- Smithsonian Institution, Research Associate 1995-1998
- US Fish & Wildlife Service –Fort Collins Science Center, 1988-1990
- National Academy Sciences, IOM, 1986-1988
- Agency for International Development, 1982-1985
- World Wildlife Fund, 1980-1982
Mentorship/Outreach
- Rutgers University, Adjunct Faculty, 2007-present
Science and Products
Waterbirds
American Black Duck and Threat of Avian Influenza
Disease Resistance of Wildlife Species: how the immune system evolves and adapts
An Eco-immunological Study of Chesapeake Bay Waterfowl
Science and Products
- Science
Waterbirds
Patuxent has a long history of research activities supporting the management and conservation of waterbird populations. Current research interests include studying the movements and migration ecology of sea ducks and other waterbirds along the Atlantic Coast, a long-term demographic study of Roseate Tern populations, and the use of restored island habitats by nesting terns. Patuxent scientists...American Black Duck and Threat of Avian Influenza
The Challenge: The genomic revolution is giving wildlife biologists new tools to assess the role of wildlife in spreading diseases that affect human populations. Peptide arrays are a high throughput technology that gives unprecedented breadth and depth of information about the immune system. We are using peptide arrays to assess the immune responses of Chesapeake Bay waterfowl to avian influenza...Disease Resistance of Wildlife Species: how the immune system evolves and adapts
The Challenge: In an era when emerging infectious diseases are steadily increasing, human populations are exposed to virulent new pathogens. Insight into the human system can be gained from understanding the variety of immune adaptations of wildlife species. The vertebrate immune system is not static. Rather, it involves in response to the environment.An Eco-immunological Study of Chesapeake Bay Waterfowl
The Challenge: The health of the abundant waterfowl species of Chesapeake Bay has become a major concern due to the spread of Avian Influenza (AI) across North America and the role of waterfowl as a vector of AI. For decades, the health of the Bay’s waterfowl has been affected by the degradation of water quality and food supply due to industrial contaminants,agricultural run-off, pollution from... - Data
- Publications