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James Winton, Ph.D.

Jim works with scientists, technicians, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students and visiting scientists working to improve methods for the detection of fish pathogens, determine factors affecting the epidemiology of fish diseases, and develop novel control strategies for reducing losses among both hatchery-reared and wild fish.

Research Interests          

Infectious diseases of fish, fish cell and tissue culture, molecular taxonomy and epidemiology of fish pathogens, ecology of fish diseases in wild populations.

Mentorship/Outreach

  • 1995 to Present - Professor (Affiliate Faculty), University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA
  • 1983-1986 - Assistant Professor, Oregon State University, Department of Microbiology, Corvallis, OR

Professional Experience

  • 2017 to Present - Senior Scientists, Emeritus

  • 1996-2017 - Chief, Fish Health Section, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA

  • 1995 to Present - Professor (Affiliate Faculty), University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA

  • 1986-1996 - Project Leader, Infectious Diseases of Fish. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA

  • 1983-1986 - Assistant Professor, Oregon State University, Department of Microbiology, Corvallis, OR

  • 1984 to Present - Canadian Fish Health Official - International shipments of salmonid fish and gametes

  • 1981 to Present - U.S. Title 50 Inspector - International shipments of salmonid fish and gametes

  • 2010 - Pacific Salmon Commission - Invited expert to panel investigating Fraser River sockeye declines

  • 1991-2000 - Office International des Epizooties (OIE), Paris - Elected to Fish Diseases Commission

  • 1990-2003 - American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) - Animal Virus Advisory Group

  • 1988-2000 - International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) - Reovirus Study Group

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. 1981. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

  • B.A. 1967. University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science

  • American Society for Microbiology

  • American Fisheries Society

  • European Association of Fish Pathologists

  • Japanese Society of Fish Pathologists

  • Wildlife Disease Association

Honors and Awards

  • 2015 - Senior Scientist – U.S. Geological Survey

  • 2006 - Department of Interior Distinguished Service Award

  • 2000 - American Fisheries Society Fish Health Section S. F. Snieszko Distinguished Service Award

  • 1999 - Department of Interior Meritorious Service Award

Science and Products

*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