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
Molecular identification of erythrocytic necrosis virus (ENV) from the blood of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii)
Viral erythrocytic necrosis
Impact of stressors on transmission potential of Renibacterium salmoninarum in Chinook salmon
Genetic variation in bacterial kidney disease (BKD) susceptibility in Lake Michigan Chinook Salmon and its progenitor population from the Puget Sound
Isolation and molecular characterization of a novel picornavirus from baitfish in the USA
Universal reverse-transcriptase real-time PCR for infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV)
Cutthroat trout virus as a surrogate in vitro infection model for testing inhibitors of hepatitis E virus replication
Infectious diseases of fishes in the Salish Sea
Influence of temperature on viral hemorrhagic septicemia (Genogroup IVa) in Pacific herring, Clupea pallasii Valenciennes
Expression kinetics of key genes in the early innate immune response to Great Lakes viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus IVb infection in yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
Comparative susceptibility among three stocks of yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), to viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus strain IVb from the Great Lakes
Ammocoetes of Pacific lamprey are not susceptible to common fish rhabdoviruses of the U.S. Pacific Northwest
Science and Products
Molecular identification of erythrocytic necrosis virus (ENV) from the blood of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii)
Viral erythrocytic necrosis
Impact of stressors on transmission potential of Renibacterium salmoninarum in Chinook salmon
Genetic variation in bacterial kidney disease (BKD) susceptibility in Lake Michigan Chinook Salmon and its progenitor population from the Puget Sound
Isolation and molecular characterization of a novel picornavirus from baitfish in the USA
Universal reverse-transcriptase real-time PCR for infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV)
Cutthroat trout virus as a surrogate in vitro infection model for testing inhibitors of hepatitis E virus replication
Infectious diseases of fishes in the Salish Sea
Influence of temperature on viral hemorrhagic septicemia (Genogroup IVa) in Pacific herring, Clupea pallasii Valenciennes
Expression kinetics of key genes in the early innate immune response to Great Lakes viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus IVb infection in yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
Comparative susceptibility among three stocks of yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), to viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus strain IVb from the Great Lakes
Ammocoetes of Pacific lamprey are not susceptible to common fish rhabdoviruses of the U.S. Pacific Northwest
*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