Dr. Deborah D. Iwanowicz is a research fish biologist that utilizes molecular diagnostics for research studies.
Her research principally focuses on targeted amplicon sequencing applied to topics such as: diet evaluation, pollen identification, pathogen identification and microbial community profiling. She is a principle investigator and collaborator on a number of projects that focus on the effects of contaminants on fish health, the significance of disease organisms in invasive species, profiling complex microbial community dynamics, as well as protocol and assay development. Her research includes that of molecular microbiology (parasitology, bacteriology, virology on fishes, amphibians, sea turtles, marine mammals, insects, plants, aquatic and terrestrial gastropods). She leads efforts in the NFHRL for method development on metagenomics analyses of diet from scat, stomach content, or regurgitated cough pellets. This work has been modified to identify plant species found in pollen, diets of mammals, birds, and aquatic animals. She also often focuses her efforts on threatened and endangered species.
Education
- Ph.D., 2007, University of Georgia
- M.S., 1998, Purdue University
- B.S., 1993, Purdue University
Science and Products
Use of next-generation sequencing for the dietary analyses of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) stomach content
The USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center scientists are collaborating with the PADEP (SMB) to develop and evaluate a genetic assay for fish diets that will allow us to develop a cost-effective monitoring program for determining the diet of wild fish.
Development of Next Generation Techniques of fecal samples collected from nestling cactus wren
Coastal cactus wren populations have declined in southern California over the last three decades. In San Diego County, this decline has been especially noticeable in the Otay area, which in 2014 supported 14 territories on conserved lands. In the past, there were 25-53 active territories reported for this same area, with the highest estimate in 1992. There is also concern the number of active...
Metabarcoding of stomach contents from the Round Goby (Negobius melanostromus) in Pennsylvania
The Round Goby, Neogobius melanostomus, is a small benthic fish native to the Sea of Azov, the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
Improving Forage for Honey Bees on USDA Conservation Lands: A Pilot Study for Testing Sampling Methods and Hypothesis Development
Commercial beekeepers have been bringing their bees to the Northern Great Prairie (NGP) for many decades due to the availability of nectar and pollen-rich plants in abundant grasslands.
Establishing Molecular Methods to Quantitatively Profile Stomach Diet Items of Fish—Application to the Invasive Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)
USGS scientists are collaborating with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDDNR) to develop and evaluate a genetic assay for blue catfish fish diets that will allow us to design a cost-effective monitoring program for determining the diet of wild fish.
Developing Novel Amplicon Sequencing Assays From Scat For Diet Analysis of the pacific pocket mouse (perognathus longimembris pacificus)
Developing Novel Amplicon Sequencing Assays From Scat For Diet Analysis of the pacific pocket mouse (perognathus longimembris pacificus)
Molecular tools and methodologies
Molecular tools and methodologies are used designed and used for diverse applications. These applications can be used to assess questions of threatened and endangered species, population and conservation biology, ecological communities, microbial diversity, molecular epidemiology and genomics of non-model organisms among many others. Successful integration of these tools and technologies greatly...
Giant African Land Snail
Originally from East Africa, the giant African land snail (Achatina fulica), has been established throughout the Indo-Pacific Basin, including the Hawaiian Islands. Since 2011, these snails have been found in Miami, Florida. Although the current range is limited to the southern latitudes of Florida, this snail can withstand freezing and go into hibernation for as much as a year. This allows them...
Science and Products
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Use of next-generation sequencing for the dietary analyses of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) stomach content
The USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center scientists are collaborating with the PADEP (SMB) to develop and evaluate a genetic assay for fish diets that will allow us to develop a cost-effective monitoring program for determining the diet of wild fish.Development of Next Generation Techniques of fecal samples collected from nestling cactus wren
Coastal cactus wren populations have declined in southern California over the last three decades. In San Diego County, this decline has been especially noticeable in the Otay area, which in 2014 supported 14 territories on conserved lands. In the past, there were 25-53 active territories reported for this same area, with the highest estimate in 1992. There is also concern the number of active...Metabarcoding of stomach contents from the Round Goby (Negobius melanostromus) in Pennsylvania
The Round Goby, Neogobius melanostomus, is a small benthic fish native to the Sea of Azov, the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.Improving Forage for Honey Bees on USDA Conservation Lands: A Pilot Study for Testing Sampling Methods and Hypothesis Development
Commercial beekeepers have been bringing their bees to the Northern Great Prairie (NGP) for many decades due to the availability of nectar and pollen-rich plants in abundant grasslands.Establishing Molecular Methods to Quantitatively Profile Stomach Diet Items of Fish—Application to the Invasive Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)
USGS scientists are collaborating with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDDNR) to develop and evaluate a genetic assay for blue catfish fish diets that will allow us to design a cost-effective monitoring program for determining the diet of wild fish.Developing Novel Amplicon Sequencing Assays From Scat For Diet Analysis of the pacific pocket mouse (perognathus longimembris pacificus)
Developing Novel Amplicon Sequencing Assays From Scat For Diet Analysis of the pacific pocket mouse (perognathus longimembris pacificus)Molecular tools and methodologies
Molecular tools and methodologies are used designed and used for diverse applications. These applications can be used to assess questions of threatened and endangered species, population and conservation biology, ecological communities, microbial diversity, molecular epidemiology and genomics of non-model organisms among many others. Successful integration of these tools and technologies greatly...Giant African Land Snail
Originally from East Africa, the giant African land snail (Achatina fulica), has been established throughout the Indo-Pacific Basin, including the Hawaiian Islands. Since 2011, these snails have been found in Miami, Florida. Although the current range is limited to the southern latitudes of Florida, this snail can withstand freezing and go into hibernation for as much as a year. This allows them... - Data
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