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
Complete genome sequence of Fer-de-Lance Virus reveals a novel gene in reptilian Paramyxoviruses
High doses of corticosteroid suppress resistance to Ichthyophonus in starry flounder
Relative resistance of Pacific salmon to infectious salmon anaemia virus
Host and geographic range extensions of the North American strain of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus
Improved diagnosis of infectious salmon anemia virus by use of a new cell live derived from Atlantic salmon kidney tissue
Susceptibility of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to a model pathogen, spring viremia of carp virus
Elevated temperature exacerbates Ichthyophonus infections in buffalo sculpin
A single Alal 39-to-Glu substitution in the Renibacterium salmoninarum virulence-associated protein p57 results in antigenic variation and is associated with enhanced p57 binding to Chinook salmon leukocytes
Molecular diagnosis of infectious hematopoietic necrosis and viral hemorrhagic septicemia
Spring viremia of carp
Optimization of nested polymerase chain reaction assays for identification of Aeromonas salmonicida, Yersinia ruckeri and Flavobacterium psychrophilum
Science and Products
Complete genome sequence of Fer-de-Lance Virus reveals a novel gene in reptilian Paramyxoviruses
High doses of corticosteroid suppress resistance to Ichthyophonus in starry flounder
Relative resistance of Pacific salmon to infectious salmon anaemia virus
Host and geographic range extensions of the North American strain of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus
Improved diagnosis of infectious salmon anemia virus by use of a new cell live derived from Atlantic salmon kidney tissue
Susceptibility of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to a model pathogen, spring viremia of carp virus
Elevated temperature exacerbates Ichthyophonus infections in buffalo sculpin
A single Alal 39-to-Glu substitution in the Renibacterium salmoninarum virulence-associated protein p57 results in antigenic variation and is associated with enhanced p57 binding to Chinook salmon leukocytes
Molecular diagnosis of infectious hematopoietic necrosis and viral hemorrhagic septicemia
Spring viremia of carp
Optimization of nested polymerase chain reaction assays for identification of Aeromonas salmonicida, Yersinia ruckeri and Flavobacterium psychrophilum
*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