Diane Elliott, Ph.D.
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
Bench-top validation testing of selected immunological and molecular Renibacterium salmoninarum diagnostic assays by comparison with quantitative bacteriological culture
Normal (but unusual) lymphoid tissue of sturgeon
Microsporidian infection in skeletal muscle of tidewater gobies, Eucyclogobius newberryi
Alternative barging strategies to improve survival of salmonids transported from Lower Granite Dam: Final report from the 2006-2008 spring/summer Chinook salmon and Steelhead juvenile migrations
The skin: The many functions of fish integument
Exxon Valdez oil spill restoration project final report: Prince William Sound Herring disease program (HDP), restoration project 070819
THE SKIN | Functional morphology of the integumentary system in fishes
Comparative evaluation of molecular diagnostic tests for Nucleospora salmonis and prevalence in migrating juvenile salmonids from the Snake River, USA
Characterization of the contents and histology of the gastrointestinal tracts of White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) captured from Upper Lake Roosevelt, Washington, October 2008
Management of bacterial kidney disease in Chinook Salmon hatcheries based on broodstock testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: A multiyear study
Pathological and immunological responses associated with differential survival of Chinook salmon following Renibacterium salmoninarum challenge
Infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus genogroup-specific virulence mechanisms in sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum), from Redfish Lake, Idaho
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
- Data
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 77
Bench-top validation testing of selected immunological and molecular Renibacterium salmoninarum diagnostic assays by comparison with quantitative bacteriological culture
No gold standard assay exhibiting error-free classification of results has been identified for detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of salmonid bacterial kidney disease. Validation of diagnostic assays for R. salmoninarum has been hindered by its unique characteristics and biology, and difficulties in locating suitable populations of reference test animals. Infection statusAuthorsD.G. Elliott, L.J. Applegate, A.L. Murray, M. K. Purcell, C.L. McKibbenNormal (but unusual) lymphoid tissue of sturgeon
No abstract available.AuthorsDiane G. Elliott, Viljamaa-Dirks, Schmidt-Posthaus, Carla M. ConwayMicrosporidian infection in skeletal muscle of tidewater gobies, Eucyclogobius newberryi
No abstract available.AuthorsDiane G. Elliott, Carla M. ConwayAlternative barging strategies to improve survival of salmonids transported from Lower Granite Dam: Final report from the 2006-2008 spring/summer Chinook salmon and Steelhead juvenile migrations
In 2011, the final year class of adult salmon Oncorhynchus spp. returned from smolt groups released for a multi-year study to evaluate an alternate release site for transported fish. Smolts were collected and tagged at Lower Granite Dam, transported, and released at the alternate site near Astoria, Oregon (river kilometer 10) or at the traditional release site near Skamania Landing (rkm 225) justAuthorsTiffani M. Marsh, William D. Muir, Benjamin P. Sandford, Steven G. Smith, Diane G. ElliottThe skin: The many functions of fish integument
The integument or skin is the envelope that not only separates and protects a fish from its environment, but also provides the means through which most contacts with the outer world are made. It is a large organ and is continuous with the linings of all body openings, and also covers the fins. Fish integument is a multifunctional organ, and its components may serve important roles in protection, cAuthorsDiane G. ElliottExxon Valdez oil spill restoration project final report: Prince William Sound Herring disease program (HDP), restoration project 070819
Surveys of pathogens in Pacific herring from 2007 – 2010 indicated that Ichthyophonus, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, and erythrocytic necrosis virus are endemic in Prince William Sound and throughout the NE Pacific. Laboratory studies with VHSV indicated that multiple herring stocks are equally susceptible to the resulting disease, Pacific herring shed copious levels of VHSV (as high at 5x10AuthorsPaul Hershberger, Diane G. Elliott, Eveline J. Emmenegger, John D. Hansen, Gael Kurath, James R. Winton, Richard Kocan, Scott LaPatraTHE SKIN | Functional morphology of the integumentary system in fishes
The integument that covers the outer surface of a fish’s body and fins is a multifunctional organ, with morphological features highly adapted to carry out these functions. The integument consists of two layers. The outer layer, the epidermis, is essentially cellular in structure, comprised of a multilayered epithelium that usually includes specialized cells. The inner layer, the dermis, is primariAuthorsD.G. ElliottComparative evaluation of molecular diagnostic tests for Nucleospora salmonis and prevalence in migrating juvenile salmonids from the Snake River, USA
Nucleospora salmonis is an intranuclear microsporidian that primarily infects lymphoblast cells and contributes to chronic lymphoblastosis and a leukemia-like condition in a range of salmonid species. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of N. salmonis in out-migrating juvenile hatchery and wild Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and steelhead O. mykiss from the SnakeAuthorsSamantha Badil, Diane G. Elliott, Tomofumi Kurobe, Ronald P. Hedrick, Kathy Clemens, Marilyn Blair, Maureen K. PurcellCharacterization of the contents and histology of the gastrointestinal tracts of White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) captured from Upper Lake Roosevelt, Washington, October 2008
The gastrointestinal tracts of 37 juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) captured from the upper part of Lake Roosevelt during October 2008, were examined to identify prey taxa and to determine if the fish were consuming smelter slag along with other sediments. Histological examination of the gastrointestinal tract tissues and comparison with similar tissues from hatchery-reared fish alAuthorsMichael J. Parsley, Bjorn K. van der Leeuw, Diane G. ElliottManagement of bacterial kidney disease in Chinook Salmon hatcheries based on broodstock testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: A multiyear study
From the mid-1980s through the early 1990s, outbreaks of bacterial kidney disease (BKD) caused by Renibacterium salmoninarum continued in Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) hatcheries despite the use of three control methods: (1) injection of returning adult fish with erythromycin to reduce prespawning BKD mortality and limit vertical transmission oAuthorsA. Douglas Munson, Diane G. Elliott, Keith JohnsonPathological and immunological responses associated with differential survival of Chinook salmon following Renibacterium salmoninarum challenge
Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha are highly susceptible to Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD). Previously we demonstrated that introduced Chinook salmon from Lake Michigan, Wisconsin (WI), USA, have higher survival following R. salmoninarum challenge relative to the progenitor stock from Green River, Washington, USA. In the present study, we inAuthorsDavid C. Metzger, Diane G. Elliott, Andrew Wargo, Linda K. Park, Maureen K. PurcellInfectious haematopoietic necrosis virus genogroup-specific virulence mechanisms in sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum), from Redfish Lake, Idaho
Characterization of infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) field isolates from North America has established three main genogroups (U, M and L) that differ in host-specific virulence. In sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, the U genogroup is highly virulent, whereas the M genogroup is nearly non-pathogenic. In this study, we sought to characterize the virus-host dynamics that contribute tAuthorsM. K. Purcell, K.A. Garver, C. Conway, D.G. Elliott, Gael KurathNon-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