Donald Tillitt, PhD
Dr. Don Tillitt is a Research Toxicologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Don has been at the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) since 1989, then part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He leads research on the effects of chemicals on fish and wildlife, with an emphasis on reproduction and development in fish. His research interests focus on developmental effects of persistent chemicals in fish. Multiple levels of biological organization are generally evaluated in his research efforts, with endpoints consisting of molecular, biochemical, histology, and behavioral-level effects. Recent research projects in his laboratory include: 1) effects of PCBs and dioxins on development in sturgeon species; 2) causes and effects of thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiencies on Great Lakes salmonines; 3) effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on sexual differentiation and gonad development in fish; and 4) transgenerational epigenetic effects on endocrine disrupting chemicals across vertebrate taxa. Don has served in a variety of capacities for the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, currently serves as an Editor for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Don has adjunct professor appointments in the Biological Sciences and the School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. He serves on graduate student advisory committees, offers guest lectures, and has taught Environmental Toxicology since 1992.
Professional Experience
2013-present Senior Scientist, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO
1989-2012 Research Chemist, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO
1983-1989 Graduate Assistant, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University, 1989
M.S. Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 1986
B.S. Ag. Biochemistry, Michigan State University, 1981
B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 1981
Affiliations and Memberships*
2010-present Adjunct Professor, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
1991-present Adjunct Professor, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
1991-2010 Adjunct Professor, Biochemistry Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
1983-present Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
American Fisheries Society (lifetime member)
International Association of Great Lakes Research (lifetime member)
Science and Products
Reproductive condition and occurrence of intersex in bighead carp and silver carp in the Missouri River
Environmental contaminants and biomarker responses in fish from the Columbia River and its tributaries: spatial and temporal trends
Environmental contaminants in fish and their associated risk to piscivorous wildlife in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska
Implications of thiamine deficiency in Great Lakes salmonines
Effect of sample handling on thiamine and thiaminolytic activity in alewife
Thiamine status in adult salmonines in the Great Lakes
Changes in productivity and contaminants in bald eagles nesting along the lower Columbia River, USA
Thiamine content and thiaminase activity of ten freshwater stocks and one marine stock of alewives
Early mortality syndrome in Great Lakes salmonines
Development of thiamine deficiencies and early mortality syndrome in lake trout by feeding experimental and feral fish diets containing thiaminase
Environmental contaminants and biomarker responses in fish from the Rio Grande and its U.S. tributaries: Spatial and temporal trends
Can diet-dependent factors help explain fish-to-fish variation in thiamine-dependent early mortality syndrome?
Science and Products
Reproductive condition and occurrence of intersex in bighead carp and silver carp in the Missouri River
Environmental contaminants and biomarker responses in fish from the Columbia River and its tributaries: spatial and temporal trends
Environmental contaminants in fish and their associated risk to piscivorous wildlife in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska
Implications of thiamine deficiency in Great Lakes salmonines
Effect of sample handling on thiamine and thiaminolytic activity in alewife
Thiamine status in adult salmonines in the Great Lakes
Changes in productivity and contaminants in bald eagles nesting along the lower Columbia River, USA
Thiamine content and thiaminase activity of ten freshwater stocks and one marine stock of alewives
Early mortality syndrome in Great Lakes salmonines
Development of thiamine deficiencies and early mortality syndrome in lake trout by feeding experimental and feral fish diets containing thiaminase
Environmental contaminants and biomarker responses in fish from the Rio Grande and its U.S. tributaries: Spatial and temporal trends
Can diet-dependent factors help explain fish-to-fish variation in thiamine-dependent early mortality syndrome?
*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