Diane participates in collaborative studies of infectious and noninfectious diseases in a variety of finfish species, utilizing techniques of microbiology, histopathology and molecular biology.
Research Interests
Development of improved sampling and testing methods for fish pathogen detection (including nonlethal sampling methods), understanding etiology and pathogenesis of fish diseases in wild and hatchery fish, development of methods for disease prevention and control.
Mentorship/Outreach
- “Spotlight on Women in Fisheries,” Fisheries, March 2012, vol. 37 no. 3., DOI: 10.1080/03632415.2012.669617.
- “AFS Fish Health Section hosts annual meeting, honors several of its top professionals,” Fish Farming News 2015, Issue 4.
- 1995 to Present - Affiliate Associate Professor, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- 1986-1995 - Affiliate Assistant Professor, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Professional Experience
2017 to Present - Scientist Emeritus
1986-2017 - Research Microbiologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle WA
1984-1986 - Research Fishery Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fisheries Research Center
1979-1981 - Research Fishery Biologist, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Northwest and Alaska Fisheries Center, Seattle, WA
1976-1979 - Research Fish Health Biologist, Tavolek
1974-1976 - Fish Pathologist/Disease Inspector, Biometrics, Inc., Tacoma, WA
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1985. Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
M.S. 1976. Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
B.S. 1971. Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Fisheries Society (Fish Health Section, Fish Culture Section)
American Society for Microbiology
European Association of Fish Pathologists
New York Academy of Sciences
Sigma Xi (elected to full membership 1985)
Honors and Awards
2015 - S.F. Snieszko Distinguished Service Award, American Fisheries Society Fish Health Section
2008 - USGS Star Award (for organization of a fish health training workshop in Mexico)
2008 - Journal of Aquatic Animal Health Most Significant Paper Award (senior author)
2007 - European Association of Fish Pathologists Outstanding Branch Officer Award
1991 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Achievement Award (broodstock testing for BKD control)
1985 to present - Certified Fish Pathologist, American Fisheries Society Fish Health Section
2010-2011 - President, American Fisheries Society Fish Health Section
2006 to Present - Journal Review Editor, Diseases of Aquatic Organisms
2004-2005 - Chair, Technical Standards Committee, American Fisheries Society Fish Health Section
2003 to Present - U.S. Branch Officer, European Association of Fish Pathologists U.S. Branch Officer
Science and Products
Detection Protocols - Renibacterium salmoninarum
Non-lethal Detection of Skin Injuries in Juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha by Fast Green FCF Dye
Histopathology of Selected Parasitic Salmonid Diseases: A Color Atlas
Data to Support Efficacy Studies of Injectable Tulathromycin for Reduction of Vertical Transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum in Spring Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Immunopathology
Disruption of the Francisella noatunensis orientalis pdpA gene results in virulence attenuation and protection in zebrafish
Survival and growth of suckers in mesocosms at three locations within Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2018
Differential susceptibility of Yukon River and Salish Sea stocks of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha to ichthyophoniasis
Consequences of Piscine orthoreovirus genotype 1 (PRV‐1) infections in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ), coho salmon (O. kisutch ) and rainbow trout (O. mykiss )
Mortality of endangered juvenile Lost River Suckers associated with cyanobacteria blooms in mesocosms in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
Effects of microcystin-LR on juvenile Lost River suckers (Deltistes luxatus) during feeding trials, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2014−16
Skin and fin diseases
Assessing causes of mortality for endangered juvenile Lost River suckers (Deltistes luxatus) in mesocosms in Upper Klamath Lake, south-central Oregon, 2016
Health and condition of endangered young-of-the-year Lost River and Shortnose suckers relative to water quality in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2014–2015
Detecting Renibacterium salmoninarum in wild brown trout by use of multiple organ samples and diagnostic methods
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.
Science and Products
- Science
Detection Protocols - Renibacterium salmoninarum
Protocols for the Detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum in salmonNon-lethal Detection of Skin Injuries in Juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha by Fast Green FCF Dye
In fish, as in humans, an intact epidermis is critical to defense against entry of pathogens into the skin. Macroscopic examination of scale loss is the principal method of evaluating physical damage to juvenile salmonids out-migrating through hydroelectric dams in the Snake and Columbia Rivers, and in fish subjected to capture and handling procedures in locations such as hatcheries, fish bypass...Histopathology of Selected Parasitic Salmonid Diseases: A Color Atlas
A collection of 77 photomicrographs compiled by the late William T. Yasutake, USGS Western Fisheries Research Center, Scientist Emeritus. Individual plates may be downloaded below. - Data
Data to Support Efficacy Studies of Injectable Tulathromycin for Reduction of Vertical Transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum in Spring Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Bacterial kidney disease (BKD) caused by Renibacterium salmoninarum (Rs) occurs nearly worldwide where wild or cultured salmonid fishes are present. Control of BKD is confounded by its two modes of transmission, horizontal (fish-to-fish) and vertical (from female parent to progeny via the eggs). A highly successful BKD control strategy employed in Pacific Northwest hatcheries culturing spring Chin - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 77
Immunopathology
No abstract available.AuthorsKhattapan Jantawongsri, Brian Jones, Diane G. Elliott, Heike Schmidt-Posthaus, Barbara F. NowakDisruption of the Francisella noatunensis orientalis pdpA gene results in virulence attenuation and protection in zebrafish
Several Francisella spp. including F. noatunensis are regarded as important emerging pathogens of wild and farmed fish. However, very few studies have investigated the virulence factors that allow these bacterial species to be pathogenic in fish. The Francisella Pathogenicity Island (FPI) is a well-described, gene-dense region encoding major virulence factors for the genus Francisella. PdpA is a mAuthorsJohn Hansen, Karina Ray, Po-Jui Chen, Susan Yun, Diane G. Elliott, Carla M. Conway, Michael Culcutt, Maureen K. Purcell, Timothy J Welch, John Patrick Bellah, Ellie Maureen Dalsky, Justin Blaine Greer, Esteban SotoSurvival and growth of suckers in mesocosms at three locations within Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2018
Executive SummaryDue to high mortality in the first year or two of life, Lost River (Deltistes luxatus sp.) and Shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris sp.) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon rarely reach maturity. In 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began the Sucker Assisted Rearing Program (SARP) to improve early life survival before releasing the fish back into Upper Klamath Lake. SurvivaAuthorsSummer M. Burdick, Carla M. Conway, Carl O. Ostberg, Ryan J. Bart, Diane G. ElliottDifferential susceptibility of Yukon River and Salish Sea stocks of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha to ichthyophoniasis
Preliminary evidence suggests that Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from the Yukon River may be more susceptible to Ichthyophonus sp. infections than Chinook from stocks further south. To investigate this hypothesis in a controlled environment, we experimentally challenged juvenile Chinook from the Yukon River and from the Salish Sea with Ichthyophonus sp. and evaluated mortality, infectionAuthorsDiane G. Elliott, Carla M. Conway, Constance L. McKibben, Ashley MacKenzie, Lucas M. Hart, Maya Groner, Maureen K. Purcell, Jacob L. Gregg, Paul HershbergerConsequences of Piscine orthoreovirus genotype 1 (PRV‐1) infections in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ), coho salmon (O. kisutch ) and rainbow trout (O. mykiss )
Piscine orthoreovirus genotype 1 (PRV‐1) is the causative agent of heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). The virus has also been found in Pacific salmonids in western North America, raising concerns about the risk to native salmon and trout. Here, we report the results of laboratory challenges using juvenile Chinook salmon, coho salmon and rainboAuthorsMaureen K. Purcell, Rachel L. Powers, Torunn Taksdal, Douglas Mckenney, Carla M. Conway, Diane G. Elliott, Mark Polinski, Kyle A. Garver, James WintonMortality of endangered juvenile Lost River Suckers associated with cyanobacteria blooms in mesocosms in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
Unsustainably high mortality within the first 2 years of life prevents endangered Lost River Suckers Deltistes luxatus in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, from recruiting to spawning populations. Massive blooms of the cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon flos‐aquae and their subsequent death and decay in the lake (bloom‐crashes) are associated with high pH, low percent oxygen saturation, high total ammonia conAuthorsSummer M. Burdick, Danielle M Hereford, Carla M. Conway, Nathan V Banet, Rachel L. Powers, Barbara A. Martin, Diane G. ElliottEffects of microcystin-LR on juvenile Lost River suckers (Deltistes luxatus) during feeding trials, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2014−16
Executive SummaryHistorically, populations of Lost River suckers (Deltistes luxatus) of the Upper Klamath Basin were so numerous that they were commercially harvested; however, declining numbers throughout the 20th century led to the listing of the species under the United States Endangered Species Act in 1988. Habitat destruction, poor water quality, competition with (and predation by) nonnativeAuthorsBarbara A. Martin, Kathy R. Echols, Diane G. Elliott, Kevin Feltz, Carla M. Conway, Summer M. BurdickSkin and fin diseases
Fish are critically important to the welfare of this planet and its occupants, the health of both wild and captive fish populations paramount to our survival. This book presents the gross pathology of the most commonly encountered diseases and syndromes of fish in an organ system-based approach. It provides an overview of the diseases and disorders of tropical, ornamental, bait and food fish fromAuthorsPedro Smith, Diane Elliott, David W Bruno, Stephen A SmithAssessing causes of mortality for endangered juvenile Lost River suckers (Deltistes luxatus) in mesocosms in Upper Klamath Lake, south-central Oregon, 2016
Executive SummaryThe recovery of endangered Lost River suckers (Deltistes luxatus) in Upper Klamath Lake, south-central Oregon, has been impeded because juveniles are not recruiting into adult spawning populations. Adult sucker populations spawn each spring but mortality of age-0 suckers during their first summer is excessively high, and recruitment of juveniles into adult populations does not occAuthorsDanielle M. Hereford, Carla M. Conway, Summer M. Burdick, Diane G. Elliott, Todd M. Perry, Amari Dolan-Caret, Alta C. HarrisHealth and condition of endangered young-of-the-year Lost River and Shortnose suckers relative to water quality in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2014–2015
Most mortality of endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose (Chasmistes brevirostris) suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, occurs within the first year of life. Juvenile suckers in Clear Lake Reservoir, California, survive longer and may even recruit to the spawning populations. In a previous (2013–2014) study, the health and condition of juvenile suckers and the dynamics of waterAuthorsSummer M. Burdick, Carla M. Conway, Diane G. Elliott, Marshal S. Hoy, Amari Dolan-Caret, Carl O. OstbergDetecting Renibacterium salmoninarum in wild brown trout by use of multiple organ samples and diagnostic methods
Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of salmonid bacterial kidney disease (BKD), is endemic in many wild trout species in northerly regions. The aim of the present study was to determine the optimal R. salmoninarum sampling/testing strategy for wild brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) populations in Iceland. Fish were netted in a lake and multiple organs—kidney, spleen, gills, oesophagus andAuthorsS. Guomundsdottir, Lynn M. Applegate, I.O. Arnason, A. Kristmundsson, Maureen K. Purcell, Diane G. ElliottNon-USGS Publications**
Marsh, D.M., W.D. Muir, B.P. Sandford, D. Elliott, L.M. Applegate, C. McKibben, S. Mosterd, S. Badil, and J. Woodson. 2009. Alternative barging strategies to improve survival of transported juvenile salmonids - 2008. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Anadromous Fish Evaluation Program, October 2009. Report No. 2008-W68SBV60307671 and W68SBV60418618. (IP-017830)(Pol.R. 11/23/2009)Ryan, B.A., M. Carper, D.M. Marsh, D. Elliott, T. Murray, L.M. Applegate, C. McKibben, and S. Mosterd. 2008. Alternative barging strategies to improve survival of transported juvenile salmonids, 2006. Fish Ecology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, WA. Report prepared for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla, WA . Contract No. W68SBV60307671 and W68SBV60418618. (Prior to IPDS)(Pol.R. 08/24/2007)Liedtke, T.L., L.P. Gee, M.G. Mesa, J.W. Beeman, D.G. Elliott, and C.M. Conway. 2007. Laboratory evaluation of predator avoidance ability, tag loss, and tissue response of acoustic-tagged juvenile salmonids: Draft Annual Report of Research 2006. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District Environmental Resources Branch, Portland, OR. 48 p. (Prior to IPDS)(Pol.R. 10/10/2007)Ryan, B.A., M. Carper, D.M. Marsh, D. Elliott, T. Murray, L.M. Applegate, C. McKibben, and S. Mosterd. 2007. Alternative barging strategies to improve survival of transported juvenile salmonids. Fish Ecology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, WA. (Prior to IPDS)(Pol.R. 08/24/07)Elliott, D.G., and R.J. Pascho. 1995. Juvenile fish transportation: impact of bacterial kidney disease on survival of spring/summer Chinook salmon stocks. Annual Report 1993 prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seattle, WA, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla, WA. Contract No. E86920048.Elliott, D.G., and R.J. Pascho. 1994. Juvenile fish transportation: impact of bacterial kidney disease on survival of spring/summer Chinook salmon stocks. Annual Report, 1992 prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seattle, WA, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla, WA. Contract No. E86920048.Elliott, D.G., and R.J. Pascho. 1991. Juvenile fish transportation: Impact of bacterial kidney disease on survival of spring/summer Chinook salmon stocks. Annual Report 1989. Prepared by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla, WA. Contract No. E86880047.Pascho, R.J., and D.G. Elliott. 1989. Juvenile fish transportation: Impact of bacterial kidney disease on survival of spring/summer Chinook salmon stocks. Annual Report, 1988. Prepared by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla, WA. Contract No. E86880047.Elliott, D.G. 1984. Aquariums—Getting into the swim. Pages 361-370 in J. Hayes, editor. Animal Health, 1984 Yearbook of Agriculture. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.Sövényi, J.F., D.G. Elliott, Gy. Csaba, J. Oláh, and J.J. Majnarich. 1984. Cultural, biochemical and serological characteristics of bacterial isolates from carp erythrodermatitis in Hungary. Revue Scientifique et Technique Office International des Epizooties 3(3): 597-609.Elliott, D.G., and E.B. Shotts, Jr. 1980. Aetiology of an ulcerative disease in goldfish, Carassius auratus (L): microbiological examination of diseased fish from seven locations. Journal of Fish Diseases 3(2): 133-143. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2761.1980.tb00196.x.Elliott, D.G., and E.B. Shotts, Jr. 1980. Aetiology of an ulcerative disease in goldfish, Carassius auratus (L): experimental induction of the disease. Journal of Fish Diseases 3(2): 145-151. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2761.1980.tb00197.x.Shotts, E.B., Jr., F.D. Talkington, D.G. Elliott, and D.H. McCarthy. 1980. Aetiology of an ulcerative disease in goldfish, Carassius auratus (L): characterization of the causative agent. Journal of Fish Diseases 3(3): 181-186. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2761.1980.tb00442.x.Elliott, D.G. Fish disease inspection and certification. 1978. Marine Fisheries Review 40(3): 69-71.**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.
- News
*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