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
In memoriam - William Toshio (Tosh) Yasutake, 1922-2016
Reconnecting fragmented sturgeon populations in North American rivers
Survival, movement, and health of hatchery-raised juvenile Lost River suckers within a mesocosm in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
Infecting Pacific Herring with Ichthyophonus sp. in the laboratory
Health and condition of endangered juvenile Lost River and shortnose suckers relative to water quality and fish assemblages in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir, California
Effects of temperature on Renibacterium salmoninarum infection and transmission potential in Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum)
Testing of candidate non-lethal sampling methods for detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum in juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Persistence of external signs in Pacific herring Clupea pallasii Valenciennes with ichthyophoniasis
Detection of Ichthyophonus by chromogenic in situ hybridization
Genetic variation in bacterial kidney disease (BKD) susceptibility in Lake Michigan Chinook Salmon and its progenitor population from the Puget Sound
Vaccination against bacterial kidney disease
Effects of Renibacterium salmoninarum on olfactory organs of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) marked with coded wire tags
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
In memoriam - William Toshio (Tosh) Yasutake, 1922-2016
William Toshio (Tosh) Yasutake, 1922-2016 passed away peacefully at home on December 12, 2016, at the age of 94. He is survived by Fumi, his wife of 66 years, as well as four children and six grandchildren. With his death, the fish health community has lost an outstanding scientist as well as a kind, unassuming, and wonderful human being. Tosh was born on June 10, 1922, in Seattle, Washington, toAuthorsDiane G. Elliott, James R. WintonReconnecting fragmented sturgeon populations in North American rivers
The majority of large North American rivers are fragmented by dams that interrupt migrations of wide-ranging fishes like sturgeons. Reconnecting habitat is viewed as an important means of protecting sturgeon species in U.S. rivers because these species have lost between 5% and 60% of their historical ranges. Unfortunately, facilities designed to pass other fishes have rarely worked well for sturgeAuthorsHenriette Jager, Michael J. Parsley, Joseph J. Jr. Cech, R. L. McLaughlin, Patrick S. Forsythe, Robert S. ElliottSurvival, movement, and health of hatchery-raised juvenile Lost River suckers within a mesocosm in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
The recovery of endangered Lost River suckers (Deltistes luxatus) in Upper Klamath Lake is limited by poor juvenile survival and failure to recruit into the adult population. Poor water quality, degradation of rearing habitat, and toxic levels of microcystin are hypothesized to contribute to low juvenile survival. Studies of wild juvenile suckers are limited in that capture rates are low and comprAuthorsDanielle M. Hereford, Summer M. Burdick, Diane G. Elliott, Amari Dolan-Caret, Carla M. Conway, Alta C. HarrisInfecting Pacific Herring with Ichthyophonus sp. in the laboratory
The protistan parasite Ichthyophonus sp. occurs in coastal populations of Pacific Herring Clupea pallasii throughout the northeast Pacific region, but the route(s) by which these planktivorous fish become infected is unknown. Several methods for establishing Ichthyophonus infections in laboratory challenges were examined. Infections were most effectively established after intraperitoneal (IP) injeAuthorsPaul Hershberger, Lucas Hart, Ashley MacKenzie, M.L. Yanney, Carla M. Conway, Diane G. ElliottHealth and condition of endangered juvenile Lost River and shortnose suckers relative to water quality and fish assemblages in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir, California
Executive Summary Most mortality of endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose (Chasmistes brevirostris) suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, appears to occur within the first year of life. However, juvenile suckers in Clear Lake Reservoir, California, appear to survive longer and may even recruit to the spawning populations. Our goal in this study was to develop productive lines ofAuthorsSummer M. Burdick, Diane G. Elliott, Carl O. Ostberg, Carla M. Conway, Amari Dolan-Caret, Marshal S. Hoy, Kevin P. Feltz, Kathy R. EcholsEffects of temperature on Renibacterium salmoninarum infection and transmission potential in Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum)
Renibacterium salmoninarum is a significant pathogen of salmonids and the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD). Water temperature affects the replication rate of pathogens and the function of the fish immune system to influence the progression of disease. In addition, rapid shifts in temperature may serve as stressors that reduce host resistance. This study evaluated the effect of shiAuthorsMaureen K. Purcell, Constance L. McKibben, Schuyler Pearman-Gillman, Diane G. Elliott, James R. WintonTesting of candidate non-lethal sampling methods for detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum in juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Non-lethal pathogen testing can be a useful tool for fish disease research and management. Our research objectives were to determine if (1) fin clips, gill snips, surface mucus scrapings, blood draws, or kidney biopsies could be obtained non-lethally from 3 to 15 g Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, (2) non-lethal samples could accurately discriminate between fish exposed to the bacterial kiAuthorsDiane G. Elliott, Constance L. McKibben, Carla M. Conway, Maureen K. Purcell, Dorothy M. Chase, Lynn M. ApplegatePersistence of external signs in Pacific herring Clupea pallasii Valenciennes with ichthyophoniasis
The progression of external signs of Ichthyophonus infection in Pacific herring Clupea pallasii Valenciennes was highly variable and asynchronous after intraperitoneal injection with pure parasite preparations; however, external signs generally persisted through the end of the study (429 days post-exposure). Observed signs included papules, erosions and ulcers. The prevalence of external signs plaAuthorsLucas M. Hart, Carla M. Conway, Diane G. Elliott, Paul K. HershbergerDetection of Ichthyophonus by chromogenic in situ hybridization
Ichthyophonus hoferi (Plehn & Mulsow 1911) is a protistan parasite in the class Mesomycetozoea that infects a large range of marine and freshwater fish (Mendoza, Taylor & Ajello 2002; McVicar 2011). The broad host and geographic range, which includes both fresh and marine waters of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, combined with a lack of distinguishing morphological characteristics, have proAuthorsCarla M. Conway, Maureen K. Purcell, Diane G. Elliott, Paul K. HershbergerGenetic variation in bacterial kidney disease (BKD) susceptibility in Lake Michigan Chinook Salmon and its progenitor population from the Puget Sound
Mass mortality events in wild fish due to infectious diseases are troubling, especially given the potential for long-term, population-level consequences. Evolutionary theory predicts that populations with sufficient genetic variation will adapt in response to pathogen pressure. Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha were introduced into Lake Michigan in the late 1960s from a Washington State hatcAuthorsMaureen K. Purcell, Jeffrey J. Hard, Kathleen G. Neely, Linda K. Park, James R. Winton, Diane G. ElliottVaccination against bacterial kidney disease
Bacterial kidney disease (BKD) of salmonid fishes, caused by Renibacterium salmoninarum, has been recognized as a serious disease in salmonid fishes since the 1930s. This chapter discusses the occurrence and significance, etiology, and pathogenesis of BKD. It then describes the different vaccination procedures and the effects and side-effects of vaccination. Despite years of research, however, onlAuthorsDiane G. Elliott, Gregory D. Wiens, K. Larry Hammell, Linda D. RhodesEffects of Renibacterium salmoninarum on olfactory organs of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) marked with coded wire tags
Bacterial kidney disease (BKD) caused by Renibacterium salmoninarum can cause significant morbidity and mortality in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), particularly in Chinook salmon of the stream (spring) life history type, which migrate to sea as yearlings rather than subyearlings. R. salmoninarum can be transmitted vertically from the female parent to the progeny in association with theAuthorsDiane G. Elliott, Carla M. ConwayNon-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