The BSL-3 complex at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center was purpose-built to serve our Nation’s needs. This facility has special engineering and design features for maintaining a safe environment when working with diseases that spread in the air. The facility is unusual in that it is designed to also be used for work with aquatic animals
Christoper A Ottinger
Chris is a Research Fish Biologist at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center in Kearneysville, WV
Comparative Immunologist. Primary focus: Environmentally induced immunomodulation and disease susceptibility
Professional Experience
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Marine Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, College of William and Mary.
Canadian Government Laboratory Visiting Fellow, Division of Marine Biology,Institute for Marine Biosciences, Canadian National Research Council.
Education and Certifications
Doctor of Philosophy, Biology, 1994, University of North Dakota
Master of Science, Biology, 1989, California State University, Chico
Bachelor of Arts, Biology, 1984; California State University, Chico
Science and Products
Invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay: A risk to realizing Bay restoration investments
Application of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mitogenesis assay in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) to augment wild fish health studies
Production and characterization of a mouse monoclonal antibody against smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) IgM
Development of a suite of functional immune assays and initial assessment of their utility in wild smallmouth bass health assessments
In vitro immune function in laboratory-reared age-0 smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) relative to diet
Influenza A virus detected in native bivalves in waterfowl habitat of the Delmarva Peninsula, USA
A method for determining avian influenza virus hemagglutinin and neuraminidase subtype association
Low pathogenic avian influenza viruses in wild migratory waterfowl in a region of high poultry production, Delmarva, Maryland
Molecular detection of avian influenza virus from sediment samples in waterfowl habitats on the Delmarva Peninsula, United States
Transforming growth factor-β1 expression in endangered age-0 shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) from Upper Klamath Lake, OR relative to histopathology, meristic, spatial, and temporal data
In vitro immune functions in thiamine-replete and -depleted lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush)
Impact of thiamine deficiency on T-cell dependent and T-cell independent antibody production in lake trout
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Assessment of the immune status of wild and laboratory-maintained smallmouth bass
Immune Function of Wild Smallmouth Bass Collected from Sites within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, 2016-2021
SARS-CoV-2 Data from National Wastewater Surveillance System Surge Capacity Sampling, September 2021
Molecular detection of avian influenza virus from sediment samples in waterfowl habitats on the Delmarva Peninsula, USA

The BSL-3 complex at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center was purpose-built to serve our Nation’s needs. This facility has special engineering and design features for maintaining a safe environment when working with diseases that spread in the air. The facility is unusual in that it is designed to also be used for work with aquatic animals
Accumulation of post-delivery Sample Boxes in the recieving area of the Leetown facility
Accumulation of post-delivery Sample Boxes in the recieving area of the Leetown facility
Unloading sample boxes from multiple facilities off the Fed Ex Truck, Christine Densmore (front) Robin Johnson (rear)
Unloading sample boxes from multiple facilities off the Fed Ex Truck, Christine Densmore (front) Robin Johnson (rear)
Unloading sample boxes from Fed Ex Truck into the receiving area at the Leetown Lab, Christine Densmore
Unloading sample boxes from Fed Ex Truck into the receiving area at the Leetown Lab, Christine Densmore
Luke Iwanowicz (left) Christine Densmore (right) perform RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz (left) Christine Densmore (right) perform RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
Luke Iwanowicz conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
Robin Johnson conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
Robin Johnson conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
Science and Products
Invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay: A risk to realizing Bay restoration investments
Application of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mitogenesis assay in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) to augment wild fish health studies
Production and characterization of a mouse monoclonal antibody against smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) IgM
Development of a suite of functional immune assays and initial assessment of their utility in wild smallmouth bass health assessments
In vitro immune function in laboratory-reared age-0 smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) relative to diet
Influenza A virus detected in native bivalves in waterfowl habitat of the Delmarva Peninsula, USA
A method for determining avian influenza virus hemagglutinin and neuraminidase subtype association
Low pathogenic avian influenza viruses in wild migratory waterfowl in a region of high poultry production, Delmarva, Maryland
Molecular detection of avian influenza virus from sediment samples in waterfowl habitats on the Delmarva Peninsula, United States
Transforming growth factor-β1 expression in endangered age-0 shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) from Upper Klamath Lake, OR relative to histopathology, meristic, spatial, and temporal data
In vitro immune functions in thiamine-replete and -depleted lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush)
Impact of thiamine deficiency on T-cell dependent and T-cell independent antibody production in lake trout
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Assessment of the immune status of wild and laboratory-maintained smallmouth bass
Immune Function of Wild Smallmouth Bass Collected from Sites within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, 2016-2021
SARS-CoV-2 Data from National Wastewater Surveillance System Surge Capacity Sampling, September 2021
Molecular detection of avian influenza virus from sediment samples in waterfowl habitats on the Delmarva Peninsula, USA

The BSL-3 complex at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center was purpose-built to serve our Nation’s needs. This facility has special engineering and design features for maintaining a safe environment when working with diseases that spread in the air. The facility is unusual in that it is designed to also be used for work with aquatic animals
The BSL-3 complex at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center was purpose-built to serve our Nation’s needs. This facility has special engineering and design features for maintaining a safe environment when working with diseases that spread in the air. The facility is unusual in that it is designed to also be used for work with aquatic animals
Accumulation of post-delivery Sample Boxes in the recieving area of the Leetown facility
Accumulation of post-delivery Sample Boxes in the recieving area of the Leetown facility
Unloading sample boxes from multiple facilities off the Fed Ex Truck, Christine Densmore (front) Robin Johnson (rear)
Unloading sample boxes from multiple facilities off the Fed Ex Truck, Christine Densmore (front) Robin Johnson (rear)
Unloading sample boxes from Fed Ex Truck into the receiving area at the Leetown Lab, Christine Densmore
Unloading sample boxes from Fed Ex Truck into the receiving area at the Leetown Lab, Christine Densmore
Luke Iwanowicz (left) Christine Densmore (right) perform RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz (left) Christine Densmore (right) perform RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
Luke Iwanowicz conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
Robin Johnson conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
Robin Johnson conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV