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
Work package 4 report: Broodfish testing for bacterial infections
Analysis of DNA-vaccinated fish reveals viral antigen in muscle, kidney, and thymus, and transient histopathologic changes
Epizootiology and histopathology of Parvicapsula sp. in coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch
Epizootiology and histopathology of Parvicapsula sp. in coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch
Dublin Histopathology Workshop. Parasites: Notes and images
Comparison of traditional and molecular methods for detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum
The identification of parasites in fish tissue sections
Mortality and kidney histopathology of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha exposed to virulent and attenuated Renibacterium salmoninarum strains
Evidence that coded-wire-tagging procedures can enhance transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum in chinook salmon
Microscopic functional anatomy: Integumentary system: Chapter 17
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
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Work package 4 report: Broodfish testing for bacterial infections
This report summarises current scientific information and experience obtained with various methods for testing of salmonid broodfish or spawn for bacterial kidney disease (BKD - Renibacterium salmoninarum infection) in order to prevent vertical transmission of the organism to the offspring. Assessment is also being performed for Flavobacterium psychrophilum infections causing rainbow trout fry synAuthorsChristian Michel, Diane G. Elliott, Eva Jansson, Maria Urdaci, Paul J. MidtlyngAnalysis of DNA-vaccinated fish reveals viral antigen in muscle, kidney, and thymus, and transient histopathologic changes
A highly efficacious DNA vaccine against a fish rhabdovirus, infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), was used in a systematic study to analyze vaccine tissue distribution, persistence, expression patterns, and histopathologic effects. Vaccine plasmid pIHNw-G, containing the gene for the viral glycoprotein, was detected immediately after intramuscular injection in all tissues analyzed, inclAuthorsK.A. Garver, C. M. Conway, D.G. Elliott, Gael KurathEpizootiology and histopathology of Parvicapsula sp. in coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch
The epizootiology and histopathology of the myxosporean Parvicapsula sp. was studied during monthly health surveys of 4 groups of coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch at a commercial farm in Puget Sound, Washington, USA, from 1984 to 1986. No Parvicapsula sp. was detected in histological samples taken from juvenile fish in fresh water, but the parasite was detected in fish from all groups 2 to 8 mo afAuthorsWilliam T. Yasutake, Diane G. ElliottEpizootiology and histopathology of Parvicapsula sp. in coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch
The epizootiology and histopathology of the myxosporean Parvicapsula sp. was studied during monthly health surveys of 4 groups of coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch at a commercial farm in Puget Sound, Washington, USA, from 1984 to 1986. No Parvicapsula sp. was detected in histological samples taken from juvenile fish in fresh water, but the parasite was detected in fish from all groups 2 to 8 mo afAuthorsWilliam T. Yasutake, Diane G. ElliottDublin Histopathology Workshop. Parasites: Notes and images
No abstract available.Comparison of traditional and molecular methods for detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum
Bacterial kidney disease (BKD) caused by Renibacterium salmoninarum occurs in most parts of the world where wild or cultured salmonid fishes are present. Several extensive reviews have been written on the pathogen and the disease (Fryer and Sanders, 1981; Austin and Austin, 1987; Elliott et al., 1989; Evelyn, 1993; Evenden et al., 1993; Fryer and Lannan, 1993). Bacterial kidney disease can cause sAuthorsR.J. Pascho, D.G. Elliott, D.M. ChaseThe identification of parasites in fish tissue sections
The identification of parasites in tissue sections is often difficult and fresh specimens are always required for accurate taxonomical classification. However, histological sections are in many cases the only material available and the identification of parasites in sections the subject of the recent histopathology workshop held in Dublin. The group reviewed the characteristics of representative pAuthorsB. Nowak, D.G. Elliott, D.W. BrunoMortality and kidney histopathology of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha exposed to virulent and attenuated Renibacterium salmoninarum strains
An isolate of Renibacterium salmoninarum (strain MT 239) exhibiting reduced virulence in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss was tested for its ability to cause bacterial kidney disease (BKD) in chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, a salmonid species more susceptible to BKD. Juvenile chinook salmon were exposed to either 33209, the American Type Culture Collection type strain of R. salmoninarum,AuthorsCaroline L. O'Farrell, Diane G. Elliott, Marsha L. LandoltEvidence that coded-wire-tagging procedures can enhance transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum in chinook salmon
Binary coded wire tags (CWTs) are used extensively for identification and management of anadromous salmonid populations. A study of bacterial kidney disease (BKD) in two brood year groups of hatchery-reared spring chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha provided strong evidence that horizontal transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of BKD, might be enhanced by CWT-markingAuthorsD.G. Elliott, R.J. PaschoMicroscopic functional anatomy: Integumentary system: Chapter 17
Many of the features of the fish integument can only be observed microscopically. Because there are over 20,000 living fishes, mostly higher bony fishes (teleosts), a great diversity exists in the microscopic anatomy of the integument. This chapter presents several examples from varied taxonomic groups to illustrate the variation in morphological features. As in all vertebrate epidermis, the fundaAuthorsDiane 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.
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*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