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
Normal gastrointestinal tract histology of white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus and comparison to sturgeon from a contaminated habitat
Evaluation of fast green FCF dye for non-lethal detection of integumental injuries in juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Decreased mortality of lake michigan chinook salmon after bacterial kidney disease challenge: Evidence for pathogen-driven selection?
Protective immunity and lack of histopathological damage two years after DNA vaccination against infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in trout
Genetic effects of ELISA-based segregation for control of bacterial kidney disease in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Both msa genes in Renibacterium salmoninarum are needed for full virulence in bacterial kidney disease
Detection and quantification of Renibacterium salmoninarum DNA in salmonid tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis
Reproductive and early life stages pathology - Histopathology workshop report
Guide to the identification of fish protozoan and metazoan parasites in stained tissue sections
Ichthyophonus sp. in adult Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) virus disease in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
Early mortality syndrome in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) in the Great Lakes
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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Filter Total Items: 77
Normal gastrointestinal tract histology of white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus and comparison to sturgeon from a contaminated habitat
No abstract available.AuthorsDiane G. Elliott, Carla M. ConwayEvaluation of fast green FCF dye for non-lethal detection of integumental injuries in juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
A rapid staining procedure for detection of recent skin and fin injuries was tested in juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. Immersion of anesthetized fish for 1 min in aerated aqueous solutions of the synthetic food dye fast green FCF (Food Green 3) at concentrations of 0.1 to 0.5% produced consistent and visible staining of integumental injuries. A 0.1% fast green concentration was sAuthorsDiane G. Elliott, Carla M. Conway, Lynn M. ApplegateDecreased mortality of lake michigan chinook salmon after bacterial kidney disease challenge: Evidence for pathogen-driven selection?
In the late 1960s, Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from the Green River, Washington, were successfully introduced into Lake Michigan. During spring from1988 to 1992, large fish die-offs affecting Chinook salmon occurred in the lake. Multiple ecological factors probably contributed to the severity of the fish kills, but the only disease agent found regularly was Renibacterium salmoninarum,AuthorsM. K. Purcell, A.L. Murray, A. Elz, L.K. Park, S.V. Marcquenski, J. R. Winton, S.W. Alcorn, R.J. Pascho, D.G. ElliottProtective immunity and lack of histopathological damage two years after DNA vaccination against infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in trout
The DNA vaccine pIHNw-G encodes the glycoprotein of the fish rhabdovirus infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV). Vaccine performance in rainbow trout was measured 3, 6, 13, 24, and 25 months after vaccination. At three months all fish vaccinated with 0.1 μg pIHNw-G had detectable neutralizing antibody (NAb) and they were completely protected from lethal IHNV challenge with a relative perceAuthorsGael Kurath, Kyle A. Garver, Serge Corbeil, Diane G. Elliott, Eric D. Anderson, Scott E. LaPatraGenetic effects of ELISA-based segregation for control of bacterial kidney disease in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
We evaluated genetic variation in ability of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to resist two bacterial pathogens: Renibacterium salmoninarum, the agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD), and Listonella anguillarum, an agent of vibriosis. After measuring R. salmoninarum antigen in 499 adults by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we mated each of 12 males with high or low antigen levAuthorsJ.J. Hard, D.G. Elliott, R.J. Pascho, D.M. Chase, L.K. Park, J. R. Winton, D.E. CamptonBoth msa genes in Renibacterium salmoninarum are needed for full virulence in bacterial kidney disease
Renibacterium salmoninarum, a gram-positive diplococcobacillus that causes bacterial kidney disease among salmon and trout, has two chromosomal loci encoding the major soluble antigen (msa) gene. Because the MSA protein is widely suspected to be an important virulence factor, we used insertion-duplication mutagenesis to generate disruptions of either the msa1 or msa2 gene. Surprisingly, expressionAuthorsA.M. Coady, A.L. Murray, D.G. Elliott, L.D. RhodesDetection and quantification of Renibacterium salmoninarum DNA in salmonid tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis
Renibacterium salmoninarum is an important salmonid pathogen that is difficult to culture. We developed and assessed a real-time, quantitative, polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for the detection and enumeration of R. salmoninarum. The qPCR is based on TaqMan technology and amplifies a 69-base pair (bp) region of the gene encoding the major soluble antigen (MSA) of R. salmoninarum. The qPCR aAuthorsD.M. Chase, D.G. Elliott, R.J. PaschoReproductive and early life stages pathology - Histopathology workshop report
Pathology occurring during reproduction and larval development represents an important part of the life cycle of fish, and the diseases that affect eggs and larvae often result in significant losses. However, mortality during this period is frequently ignored or poorly researched as the temptation is to replace the losses rather than investigate the causes. A histopathology workshop organised at tAuthorsD.W. Bruno, B. Nowak, Diane G. ElliottGuide to the identification of fish protozoan and metazoan parasites in stained tissue sections
The identification of protozoan and metazoan parasites is traditionally carried out using a series of classical keys based upon the morphology of the whole organism. However, in stained tissue sections prepared for light microscopy, taxonomic features will be missing, thus making parasite identification difficult. This work highlights the characteristic features of representative parasites in tissAuthorsD.W. Bruno, B. Nowak, D.G. ElliottIchthyophonus sp. in adult Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
No abstract available.AuthorsDiane G. ElliottInfectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) virus disease in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
No abstract available.AuthorsDiane G. ElliottEarly mortality syndrome in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) in the Great Lakes
No abstract available.AuthorsDiane 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