Canada Geese using a small retention pond near a commercial poultry facility.
Diann Prosser, Ph.D.
Diann is a research wildlife ecologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center located in Laurel, MD
Productivity of Species of Concern – Least Tern and Common Tern on Poplar Island Restoration Site
This project aims to understand the factors driving breeding success of multiple waterbird species, with special emphasis on Least and Common Terns (two species of concern) on Poplar Island Environmental Restoration Project.
She began working at Patuxent in 1999. Her background is in wetland ecology and ornithology and her research interests include using spatial modeling techniques to help answer questions related to wildlife and stressors such as climate change and disease.
Recently Hosted Visiting Scientists from Chinese Academy of Sciences (2012-2013)
Professional Experience
2012 - present Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center, Laurel, MD
2004 - 2012 Wildlife Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD
1998 - 2004 Biological Scientist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD
1993 - 1998 Research Associate, Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center, State College, PA
Education and Certifications
B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science (1995) from the Pennsylvania State University
M.S. in Ecology (1998) from the Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D. (2012) from the University of Maryland’s Marine Estuarine Environmental Sciences interdisciplinary ecology program
Honors and Awards
2017 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)
University of Maryland Goldhaber Travel Grant
2011 NSF SGER Grant
2007 NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes
2005 University of Maryland Nagel Travel Grant
2005 USGS, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Star Award 2000
Science and Products
Avian Influenza Prevalence Correlated to Mercury Concentrations in Wild Waterfowl
Disease Decision Analysis and Research
COVID-19 Pathways and Wildlife Dynamics
Advancing Risk Modeling for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Asian Flyways Collaborative for Waterbirds (AFCoW)
Blue-winged Teal and Cross Continental Avian Influenza Transmission
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Seaduck Challenge Study
Avian Influenza Surveillance in Waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway
Pathogens in the Aquatic Environment – Waterfowl, Avian Influenza
USGS Wild Bird Avian Influenza Program – Studies from Endemic Regions of Eurasia
Productivity of Species of Concern – Least Tern and Common Tern on Poplar Island
Using Advanced Technology to Enhance Research, a Public-Private Partnership
Database collating previous laboratory investigations into the pathogenesis of avian influenza viruses in wild avifauna of North America
Data describing the use of retention ponds on commercial poultry facilities on Delmarva by wild waterfowl
Data describing habitat use and availability for wild waterfowl in California, USA
Data showing similar movement ecology between mallards infected and not infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1
Summary data on the forage base and critical forage taxa for Chesapeake waterbirds
Predicted H5 and H7 subtype Avian Influenza Prevalence for Wild Waterfowl Species Across the Continental United States
Data regarding the efficacy of management practices for controlling gull use of Common Tern nesting colonies
Data describing the effects of elastic leg-loop harnesses on adult and juvenile Common Terns
Data describing infection status and movement ecology of North American waterfowl
Surface water estimates for a complex study site derived from traditional and emerging methods
Spatial models indicating avian influenza transmission risk at the interface of domestic poultry and wild birds in China
Data measuring avian influenza infection, mercury concentration, and body condition in wild waterfowl
Canada Geese using a small retention pond near a commercial poultry facility.
Spring migration departure date (a–e) and duration of first stopover (f–j) by species and infection status across 84 individuals with paired influenza and telemetry data. Partially transparent points show raw data; large points and error bars show means and 95% confidence intervals estimated from linear models.
Spring migration departure date (a–e) and duration of first stopover (f–j) by species and infection status across 84 individuals with paired influenza and telemetry data. Partially transparent points show raw data; large points and error bars show means and 95% confidence intervals estimated from linear models.
This conceptual diagram explains how the research involved in the NSF PIPP project will be broken down into specific components.
This conceptual diagram explains how the research involved in the NSF PIPP project will be broken down into specific components.
This bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) was marked with a satellite transmitter at Qinghai Lake, China, in an effort to understand the role that wild birds play in avian influenza.
This bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) was marked with a satellite transmitter at Qinghai Lake, China, in an effort to understand the role that wild birds play in avian influenza.
Identifying an understudied interface: Preliminary evaluation of the use of retention ponds on commercial poultry farms by wild waterfowl
Potential use of poultry farms by wild waterfowl in California's Central Valley varies across space, times of day, and species: implications for influenza transmission risk
Usurpation and brooding of Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) chicks by Common Terns (Sterna hirundo)
Climate change impacts on bird migration and highly pathogenic avian influenza
North American wintering mallards infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza show few signs of altered local or migratory movements
Functional traits explain waterbirds’ host status, subtype richness, and community-level infection risk for avian influenza
Managing conflict between nesting common terns and herring gulls
Waterfowl show spatiotemporal trends in influenza A H5 and H7 infections but limited taxonomic variation
The changing dynamics of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1: Next steps for management & science in North America
Potential effects of habitat change on migratory bird movements and avian influenza transmission in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway
The pathogenesis of a 2022 North American highly pathogenic clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 avian influenza virus in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)
Waterfowl recently infected with low pathogenic avian influenza exhibit reduced local movement and delayed migration
Visualizing Models for Avian Influenza Viruses
Emergence of avian influenza viruses with the potential to be highly pathogenic to poultry, wild birds, & humans, such as the highly pathogenic H5N1 and H7N9 cause serious concern for the global economic & public health sectors. Visual representations of model data can be effective in helping to discover how the spread of the virus is influenced by environmental & human
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 16
Avian Influenza Prevalence Correlated to Mercury Concentrations in Wild Waterfowl
Low pathogenic avian influenza infections were directly correlated with blood mercury concentrations in wild waterfowl, indicating that mercury exposure may be related to pathogen susceptibility. Further study is needed to determine if and how mercury and other environmental contaminant exposures may affect disease susceptibility in wildlife.Disease Decision Analysis and Research
The Disease Decision Analysis and Research group is a multi-disciplinary team based out of the Eastern Ecological Science Center whose strengths are in ecology, decision sciences and quantitative modeling.COVID-19 Pathways and Wildlife Dynamics
Below are the USGS 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) research projects related to COVID-19 pathways and wildlife dynamics. Select tabs above for related items.Advancing Risk Modeling for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Southeast Asia has long been the epicenter of AIV emergence. However, as demonstrated by H5NX, these viruses can quickly reach global spread and have significant impacts on poultry production and human health. We have two ongoing efforts funded by the National Science Foundation to help improve our understanding of AIV emergence, spread, and transmission in today’s rapidly changing landscape.Asian Flyways Collaborative for Waterbirds (AFCoW)
The Asian Flyways Collaborative for Waterbirds (AFCoW) is a collaborative group effort that brings together research scientists engaged in understanding waterbird ecology in Eastern Asia. Due to the complexity of waterbird biology and unique threats to their populations in East Asia, we have established a voluntary international network of collaborators to promote advanced studies of large-scale...Blue-winged Teal and Cross Continental Avian Influenza Transmission
This project focused on improving our understanding of the migratory ecology of Blue-winged Teal and their ability to transmit avian influenza or other pathogens across the wild bird – domestic poultry interface.Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Seaduck Challenge Study
This project seeks to improve our understanding of the susceptibility and pathogenesis of pertinent strains of avian influenza viruses in diving duck species.Avian Influenza Surveillance in Waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway
This project seeks to quantify the strains and prevalence of avian influenza viruses circulating in wild waterfowl across the Atlantic Flyway, and allow comparison with the nations other flyways.Pathogens in the Aquatic Environment – Waterfowl, Avian Influenza
This project focuses on understanding the prevalence and strains of avian influenza viruses in the aquatic environment and how this compares to those circulating within wild birds in the same area.USGS Wild Bird Avian Influenza Program – Studies from Endemic Regions of Eurasia
This project focuses on tracking wild birds throughout Eurasia via satellite telemetry to better understand their spatiotemporal movement patterns, relationship to domestic birds, and potential role in the spread, persistence, and amplification of avian influenza viruses.Productivity of Species of Concern – Least Tern and Common Tern on Poplar Island
This project aims to understand the factors driving breeding success of multiple waterbird species, with special emphasis on Least and Common Terns (two species of concern) on Poplar Island Environmental Restoration Project.Using Advanced Technology to Enhance Research, a Public-Private Partnership
This project is focused on exploring the use of new technology to collect data on colonially nesting waterbird species in ways that reduce disturbance, improve data accuracy, or allow for the examination of previously unanswerable questions. - Data
Filter Total Items: 36
Database collating previous laboratory investigations into the pathogenesis of avian influenza viruses in wild avifauna of North America
A compilation of previously published results exploring the pathogenesis of avian influenza viruses in wild avian species in North America.Data describing the use of retention ponds on commercial poultry facilities on Delmarva by wild waterfowl
These data support a paired USGS publication and document the use of retention ponds on commercial poultry farms by wild waterfowl.Data describing habitat use and availability for wild waterfowl in California, USA
These data describe the overlap of wild waterfowl and domestic poultry operations in California, USA. These data support a paired USGS publication.Data showing similar movement ecology between mallards infected and not infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1
These data, which support a paired USGS publication, document the movement and infection status of mallards captured, marked, and tested at a wintering site in Tennessee. Data document differences in movement ecology between mallards infected and not infected with HPAI H5N1.Summary data on the forage base and critical forage taxa for Chesapeake waterbirds
We collated existing quantitative data on avian dietary composition of 58 waterbird species that make use of the Chesapeake Bay. From this database, we quantified the relative importance of forage taxa to the diets of each waterbird species. This data will enable us to develop a comprehensive suite of forage taxa indicators whose abundance and distributions can be monitored as a proxy for ChesapeaPredicted H5 and H7 subtype Avian Influenza Prevalence for Wild Waterfowl Species Across the Continental United States
This data release provides the predicted proportion of influenza-positive birds testing positive for H5 and H7 subtypes of IAV for each species at monthly intervals for each county centroid in the continental United States. This data supports a paired USGS publication.Data regarding the efficacy of management practices for controlling gull use of Common Tern nesting colonies
These data, which support a paired USGS publication, describe the efficacy of several management practices for reducing the presence of herring gulls in the nesting colonies of Common Terns. This data was collected on Poplar Island, located in the Chesapeake Bay portion of Maryland.Data describing the effects of elastic leg-loop harnesses on adult and juvenile Common Terns
These data describe the affects of elastic leg-loop harnesses on the reproductive success and behavior of adult Common Terns and the growth and behavior of juvenile Common Terns. These data support a USGS authored manuscript.Data describing infection status and movement ecology of North American waterfowl
These data, which support a USGS authored manuscript, describe how active and previous previous infection with avian influenza impacts the movement ecology of several wild waterfowl species that overwinter in California. Results varied by species and demonstrate that the relationships between avian influenza infection and wild bird movements are context- and species-dependent.Surface water estimates for a complex study site derived from traditional and emerging methods
These data describe the area of different habitat covered in water as determined via three approaches: manual surveys, digitized aerial imagery, and categorization of the newly available dynamic surface water extent dataset derived from satellite imagery. These data support a scientific publication.Spatial models indicating avian influenza transmission risk at the interface of domestic poultry and wild birds in China
Emergence of avian influenza viruses with high lethality to humans, such as the currently circulating highly pathogenic A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) cause serious concern for the global economic and public health sectors. To improve our understanding of the spatial and temporal trends in transmission risk we developed a model that predicts hotspots of novel virus emergence between domestic and wild birds aData measuring avian influenza infection, mercury concentration, and body condition in wild waterfowl
These data represent mercury contamination, influenza infection, and body condition in 11 species of dabbling and diving ducks in the Pacific Flyway. These data support a USGS lead scientific publication. - Multimedia
Canada Geese in Front of a Poultry House
Canada Geese using a small retention pond near a commercial poultry facility.
Canada Geese using a small retention pond near a commercial poultry facility.
Movement of waterfowl infected with AIVSpring migration departure date (a–e) and duration of first stopover (f–j) by species and infection status across 84 individuals with paired influenza and telemetry data. Partially transparent points show raw data; large points and error bars show means and 95% confidence intervals estimated from linear models.
Spring migration departure date (a–e) and duration of first stopover (f–j) by species and infection status across 84 individuals with paired influenza and telemetry data. Partially transparent points show raw data; large points and error bars show means and 95% confidence intervals estimated from linear models.
Conceptual Diagram of NSF PIPP Avian Influenza workConceptual Diagram of NSF PIPP Avian Influenza workThis conceptual diagram explains how the research involved in the NSF PIPP project will be broken down into specific components.
This conceptual diagram explains how the research involved in the NSF PIPP project will be broken down into specific components.
Bar-headed GooseThis bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) was marked with a satellite transmitter at Qinghai Lake, China, in an effort to understand the role that wild birds play in avian influenza.
This bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) was marked with a satellite transmitter at Qinghai Lake, China, in an effort to understand the role that wild birds play in avian influenza.
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 110
Identifying an understudied interface: Preliminary evaluation of the use of retention ponds on commercial poultry farms by wild waterfowl
While the recent incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza into North America has resulted in notable losses to the commercial poultry industry, the mechanism by which virus enters commercial poultry houses is still not understood. One theorized mechanism is that waterfowl shed virus into the environment surrounding poultry farms, such as into retention ponds, and is then transmitted into pouAuthorsJeffery D. Sullivan, Ayla McDonough, Lauren Lescure, Diann ProsserPotential use of poultry farms by wild waterfowl in California's Central Valley varies across space, times of day, and species: implications for influenza transmission risk
Interactions between wildlife and livestock can lead to cross-species disease transmission, which incurs economic costs and threatens wildlife conservation. Wild waterfowl are natural hosts of avian influenza viruses (AIVs), are often abundant near poultry farms, and have been linked to outbreaks of AIVs in poultry. Interspecific and seasonal variation in waterfowl movement and habitat use means tAuthorsClaire S. Teitelbaum, Michael L. Casazza, Cory T. Overton, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Elliott Matchett, Fiona McDuie, Austen Lorenz, Josh T. Ackerman, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Diann ProsserUsurpation and brooding of Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) chicks by Common Terns (Sterna hirundo)
While nest usurpation and subsequent incubation of eggs and even brooding of chicks from other species has been reported for Common Terns (Sterna hirundo), such behavior is considered rare. We report an observation of a Common Tern pair usurping the Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) nest and brooding the Least Tern chicks. While the Least Tern pair attempted to provide care for the chicks, the CommAuthorsJeffery D. Sullivan, Jonathan Irons, Anna Treadway, Ayla McDonough, Alyssa Lee, Amy O'Donnell, Carl R. Callahan, Peter C. McGowan, Diann ProsserClimate change impacts on bird migration and highly pathogenic avian influenza
The unprecedented extent of highly pathogenic avian influenza coincides with intensifying global climate changes that alter host ecology and physiology, and could impact virus evolution and dynamics.AuthorsDiann Prosser, Claire S. Teitelbaum, Shenglai Yin, Nichola J. Hill, Xiangming XiaoNorth American wintering mallards infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza show few signs of altered local or migratory movements
Avian influenza viruses pose a threat to wildlife and livestock health. The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds and poultry in North America in late 2021 was the first such outbreak since 2015 and the largest outbreak in North America to date. Despite its prominence and economic impacts, we know relatively little about how HPAI spreads in wild bird populations. In JAuthorsClaire S. Teitelbaum, Nicholas Masto, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Allison Keever, Rebecca L. Poulson, Deborah Carter, Abigail Blake-Bradshaw, Corey Highway, Jamie Feddersen, Heath M. Hagy, Richard W. Gerhold, Bradley S. Cohen, Diann ProsserFunctional traits explain waterbirds’ host status, subtype richness, and community-level infection risk for avian influenza
Species functional traits can influence pathogen transmission processes, and consequently affect species' host status, pathogen diversity, and community-level infection risk. We here investigated, for 143 European waterbird species, effects of functional traits on host status and pathogen diversity (subtype richness) for avian influenza virus at species level. We then explored the association betwAuthorsShenglai Yin, Ning Li, Wenjie Xu, Daniel Becker, Willem F. de Boer, Chi Xu, Taej Mundkur, Nicholas M Fountain-Jones, Chunlin Li, Guan-zhu Han, Qiang Wu, Diann Prosser, Lijuan Cui, Zheng HuangManaging conflict between nesting common terns and herring gulls
Context: Due to the frequent depredation of eggs and chicks by herring gulls (Larus argentatus), numerous approaches to reduce their impact on tern colonies have been tested by wildlife managers. Previous studies have shown that the use of overhead lines presents a promising method to prevent gull nesting in tern colonies, but little work has evaluated if this approach is suitable for excluding boAuthorsJeffery D. Sullivan, Amy O'Donnell, Lauren Marie-Therese Lescure, Andrew Rapp, Carl C. Callahan, Peter C. McGowan, Tim Carney, Diann ProsserWaterfowl show spatiotemporal trends in influenza A H5 and H7 infections but limited taxonomic variation
Influenza A viruses in wild birds pose threats to the poultry industry, wild birds, and human health under certain conditions. Of particular importance are wild waterfowl, which are the primary reservoir of low pathogenicity influenza viruses that ultimately cause high pathogenicity outbreaks in poultry farms. Despite much work on the drivers of influenza A virus prevalence, the underlying viral sAuthorsCody M. Kent, Sarah N. Bevins, Jennifer M. Mullinax, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Diann ProsserThe changing dynamics of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1: Next steps for management & science in North America
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 was introduced in North America in late 2021 through trans-Atlantic pathways via migratory birds. These introductions have resulted in an unprecedented epizootic, a widespread disease event in animals, heavily affecting poultry, wild birds, and recently mammals. The North American incursions occurred during the largest epidemic season (2021–2022AuthorsJohanna Harvey, Jennifer M. Mullinax, Michael C. Runge, Diann ProsserPotential effects of habitat change on migratory bird movements and avian influenza transmission in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway
Wild waterbirds, and especially wild waterfowl, are considered to be a reservoir for avian influenza viruses, with transmission likely occurring at the agricultural-wildlife interface. In the past few decades, avian influenza has repeatedly emerged in China along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), where extensive habitat conversion has occurred. Rapid environmental changes in the EAAF, espAuthorsJohn Takekawa, Diann Prosser, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Shenglai Yin, Xinxin Wang, Geli Zhang, Xiangming XiaoThe pathogenesis of a 2022 North American highly pathogenic clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 avian influenza virus in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)
Highly pathogenic (HP) avian influenza viruses (AIVs) of the clade 2.3.4.4 goose/Guangdong/1996 H5 lineage continue to be a problem in poultry and wild birds in much of the world. The recent incursion of a H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b HP AIV from this lineage into North America has resulted in widespread outbreaks in poultry and consistent detections of the virus across diverse families of birds and occasiAuthorsErica Spackman, Mary J. Pantin-Jackwood, Scott A. Lee, Diann ProsserWaterfowl recently infected with low pathogenic avian influenza exhibit reduced local movement and delayed migration
Understanding relationships between infection and wildlife movement patterns is important for predicting pathogen spread, especially for multispecies pathogens and those that can spread to humans and domestic animals, such as avian influenza viruses (AIVs). Although infection with low pathogenic AIVs is generally considered asymptomatic in wild birds, prior work has shown that influenza-infected bAuthorsClaire S. Teitelbaum, Michael L. Casazza, Fiona McDuie, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Cory T. Overton, Laurie Anne Hall, Elliott Matchett, Josh T. Ackerman, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Andrew M. Ramey, Diann Prosser - Web Tools
Visualizing Models for Avian Influenza Viruses
Emergence of avian influenza viruses with the potential to be highly pathogenic to poultry, wild birds, & humans, such as the highly pathogenic H5N1 and H7N9 cause serious concern for the global economic & public health sectors. Visual representations of model data can be effective in helping to discover how the spread of the virus is influenced by environmental & human
- News