Dr. Jason Magnuson is a Research Biologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Dr. Magnuson researches the influence of environmental contaminants and abiotic stressors on fish health. He uses molecular-level endpoints, such as transcriptomics and metabolomics, to link to higher levels of biological organization, including histopathology, physiology, and behavior, to understand the toxicity of aquatic pollutants to fish. Previous research projects have involved the relationship between mercury and selenium molar ratios to fish stress responses, the impact of pesticides to neuroendocrine, olfactory, swimming performance, and neurotoxic responses to salmonids, the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in crude oil on early life stage eye development and fish visual function, as well as the toxic response of contaminants when present as a mixture or co-exposed with ultraviolet radiation and temperature. Additionally, current research projects have focused on the impact of pharmaceuticals on early life stage fish development.
Professional Experience
2023 - present, Research Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO
2021-2023, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
2018-2021, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Biology, University of North Texas, 2018
M.S. in Biology with Aquatic Science Concentration, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 2015
B.S. in Biology and minor in Environmental Science, Lander University, 2013
Science and Products
Fishing and Hunting Integrated Science Team
Hepatotoxic response of perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) in early life stage zebrafish (Danio rerio) is greater than perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
Non-USGS Publications**
biomarkers of oxidative stress in northern pike (Esox lucius): Toxics, v. 11, no. 3, p. 244.
https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/3/244
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119102
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824464-7.00014-3
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
- Science
Fishing and Hunting Integrated Science Team
The Fishing and Hunting integrated science team focuses on contaminant and pathogen exposures in the environment that could impact the presence and vitality of fish and wildlife populations that drive commercial, recreational and subsistence activities such as hunting and fishing. If actual risks are identified this project will inform how to economically and effectively minimize risk by providing... - Publications
Hepatotoxic response of perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) in early life stage zebrafish (Danio rerio) is greater than perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
Perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA), a typical perfluorooctane sulfonate precursor (PreFOS), has been detected in the aquatic environment globally. However, the effects of PFOSA at levels measured in the environment have not been well characterized in aquatic organisms. In this study, we evaluated the transcriptional, biochemical, histopathological, and morphological effects of PFOSA to characteriAuthorsRongrong Xuan, Xiaojian Qiu, Jiazhen Wang, Shai Liu, Jason Tyler Magnuson, Bentuo Xu, Wenhui Qui, Chunmiao ZhengNon-USGS Publications**
Tang, L., Qiu, W., Zhang, S., Wang, J., Yang, X., Xu, B., Magnuson, J.T., Xu, E.G., Wu, M., and Zheng, C., 2023, Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances induce immunotoxicity via the TLR pathway in zebrafish: Links to carbon-chain length: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 57, no. 15, p. 6139-6149. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c09716Magnuson, J.T., and Sandheinrich, M.B., 2023, Relation among mercury, selenium, and
biomarkers of oxidative stress in northern pike (Esox lucius): Toxics, v. 11, no. 3, p. 244.
https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/3/244Pampanin, D.M., Arnli, W.B., Magnuson, J.T., Monticelli, G., Dam, M., Mikalsen, S.-O., and Sydnes, M.O., 2023, Study of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) bile content - An indicator of ocean health: Marine Pollution Bulletin, v. 189, p. 114795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114795Zhang, S., Zheng, M., Yang, G., Zhang, T., Magnuson, J.T., Chen, H., Zheng, C., and Qiu, W., 2023, Sunlight-mediated CaO2 inactivation of pathogen indicator organisms in surface water system: Roles of reactive species, characterization of pathogen inactivation: Water Research, v. 233, p. 119756. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2023.119756
Liu, S., Qiu, W., Li, R., Chen, B., Wu, X., Magnuson, J.T., Xu, B., Luo, S., Xu, E.G., and Zheng, C., 2023, Perfluorononanoic acid induces neurotoxicity via synaptogenesis signaling in zebrafish, v. 57, no. 9, p. 3783-3793. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c06739Magnuson, J.T., Fuller, N., McGruer, V., Huff Hartz, K.E., Acuña, S., Whitledge, G.W., Lydy, M.J., and Schlenk, D., 2023, Effect of temperature and dietary pesticide exposure on neuroendocrine and olfactory responses in juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Environmental Pollution, v. 318, p. 120938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120938
Chen, Q., Gao, Z., Wang, K., Magnuson, J.T., Chen, Y., Li, M., Shi, H., and Xu, L., 2023, High accumulation of microplastic fibers in fish hindgut induces an enhancement of triphenyl phosphate hydroxylation: Environmental Pollution, v. 317, p. 120804. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120804
Magnuson, J.T., Leads, R.R., McGruer, V., Qian, L., Tanabe, P., Roberts, A.P., and Schlenk, D., 2023, Transcriptomic profiling of miR-203a inhibitor and miR-34b-injected zebrafish (Danio rerio) validates oil-induced neurological, cardiovascular and eye toxicity response pathways: Aquatic Toxicology, v. 254, p. 106356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106356
Liu, X., Liu, S., Qiu, W., Magnuson, J.T., Liu, Z., Yang, G., Chen, H., Li, Y., Xu, X., and Zheng, C., 2022, Cardiotoxicity of PFOA, PFOS, and PFOSA in early life stage zebrafish: Molecular changes to behavioral-level response: Sustainable Horizons, v. 3, p. 100027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.horiz.2022.100027Fuller, N., Magnuson, J.T., Huff Hartz, K.E., Whitledge, G.W., Acuña, S., McGruer, V., Schlenk, D., and Lydy, M.J., 2022, Dietary exposure to environmentally relevant pesticide mixtures impairs swimming performance and lipid homeostatic gene expression in Juvenile Chinook salmon at elevated water temperatures: Environmental Pollution, v. 314, p. 120308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120308
Magnuson, J.T., Longenecker-Wright, Z., Havranek, I., Monticelli, G., Brekken, H.K., Kallenborn, R., Schlenk, D., Sydnes, M.O., and Pampanin, D.M., 2022, Bioaccumulation potential of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline in a marine Polychaete, Nereis virens: Science of The Total Environment, v. 851, p. 158193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158193Xuan, R., Qiu, W., Zhou, Y., Magnuson, J.T., Luo, S., Greer, J.B., Xu, B., Liu, J., Xu, E.G., Schlenk, D., and Zheng, C., 2022, Parental transfer of an antibiotic mixture induces cardiotoxicity in early life-stage zebrafish: A cross-generational study: Science of The Total Environment, v. 849, p. 157726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157726
Magnuson, J.T., Caceres, L., Sy, N., Ji, C., Tanabe, P., Gan, J., Lydy, M.J., and Schlenk, D., 2022, The use of non-targeted lipidomics and histopathology to characterize the neurotoxicity of bifenthrin to juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Environmental Science & Technology, v. 56, no. 16, p. 11482-11492. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c01542Chen, H., Qiu, W., Yang, X., Chen, F., Chen, J., Tang, L., Zhong, H., Magnuson, J.T., Zheng, C., and Xu, E.G., 2022, Perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) induces cardiotoxicity via aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in zebrafish: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 56, no. 12, p. 8438-8448. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c08875
Qiu, W., Liu, T., Liu, X., Chen, H., Luo, S., Chen, Q., Magnuson, J.T., Zheng, C., Xu, E.G., and Schlenk, D., 2022, Enrofloxacin Induces Intestinal Microbiota-Mediated Immunosuppression in Zebrafish: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 56, no. 12, p. 8428-8437. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c08712Leads, R.R., Magnuson, J.T., Lucero, J., Lund, A.K., Schlenk, D., Chavez, J.R., and Roberts, A.P., 2022, Transcriptomic responses and apoptosis in larval red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) co-exposed to crude oil and ultraviolet (UV) radiation: Marine Pollution Bulletin, v. 179, p. 113684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113684Magnuson, J.T., Fuller, N., Huff Hartz, K.E., Anzalone, S., Whitledge, G.W., Acuña, S., Lydy, M.J., and Schlenk, D., 2022, Dietary exposure to bifenthrin and fipronil impacts swimming performance in juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Environmental Science & Technology, v. 56, no. 8, p. 5071-5080. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c06609Xu, B., Qiu, W., Du, J., Wan, Z., Zhou, J.L., Chen, H., Liu, R., Magnuson, J.T., and Zheng, C., 2022, Translocation, bioaccumulation, and distribution of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in plants: iScience, v. 25, no. 4, p. 104061. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2022.104061Fuller, N., Anzalone, S.E., Huff Hartz, K.E., Whitledge, G.W., Acuña, S., Magnuson, J.T., Schlenk, D., and Lydy, M.J., 2022, Bioavailability of legacy and current-use pesticides in juvenile Chinook salmon habitat of the Sacramento River watershed: Importance of sediment characteristics and extraction techniques: Chemosphere, v. 298, p. 134174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134174Anzalone, S.E., Fuller, N.W., Huff Hartz, K.E., Fulton, C.A., Whitledge, G.W., Magnuson, J.T., Schlenk, D., Acuña, S., and Lydy, M.J., 2022, Pesticide residues in juvenile Chinook salmon and prey items of the Sacramento River watershed, California – A comparison of riverine and floodplain habitats: Environmental Pollution, v. 303, p. 119102.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119102Qiu, W., Chen, B., Tang, L., Zheng, C., Xu, B., Liu, Z., Magnuson, J.T., Zhang, S., Schlenk, D., Xu, E.G., and Xing, B., 2022, Antibiotic Chlortetracycline Causes Transgenerational Immunosuppression via NF-κB: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 56, no. 7, p. 4251-4261. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c07343Magnuson, J.T., Qian, L., McGruer, V., Cheng, V., Volz, D.C., and Schlenk, D., 2022, Relationship between miR-203a inhibition and oil-induced toxicity in early life stage zebrafish (Danio rerio): Toxicology Reports, v. 9, p. 373-381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2022.03.006
Qiu, W., Chen, H., Zhang, S., Xiong, Y., Zheng, M., Zhu, T., Park, M., Magnuson, J.T., Zheng, C., and El-Din, M.G., 2022, Remediation of surface water contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms using calcium peroxide: Matrix effect, micro-mechanisms and morphological-physiological changes: Water Research, v. 211, p. 118074. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.118074
McGruer, V., Khursigara, A.J., Magnuson, J.T., Esbaugh, A.J., Greer, J.B., and Schlenk, D., 2021, Exposure to Deepwater Horizon crude oil increases free cholesterol in larval red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus): Aquatic Toxicology, v. 241, p. 105988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105988Fuller, N., Huff Hartz, K.E., Johanif, N., Magnuson, J.T., Robinson, E.K., Fulton, C.A., Poynton, H.C., Connon, R.E., and Lydy, M.J., 2021, Enhanced trophic transfer of chlorpyrifos from resistant Hyalella azteca to inland silversides (Menidia beryllina) and effects on acetylcholinesterase activity and swimming performance at varying temperatures: Environmental Pollution, v. 291, p. 118217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118217
Greer, J.B., Magnuson, J.T., McGruer, V., Qian, L., Dasgupta, S., Volz, D.C., and Schlenk, D., 2021, miR133b Microinjection during Early Development Targets Transcripts of Cardiomyocyte Ion Channels and Induces Oil-like Cardiotoxicity in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos: Chemical Research in Toxicology, v. 34, no. 10, p. 2209-2215. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00238
Ajitha, V., Sarasan, M., Parvathi Sreevidya, C., Aswathy, C., Kachiprath, B., Mohandas, A., Singh, I.S.B., Hameed, A.S.S., Schlenk, D., Magnuson, J.T., and Puthumana, J., 2021, Cytotoxic impacts of treated electroplating industrial effluent and the comparative effect of their metal components (Zn, Hg, and Zn+Hg) on Danio rerio gill (DrG) cell line: Science of The Total Environment, v. 793, p. 148533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148533Ji, C., Tanabe, P., Shi, Q., Qian, L., McGruer, V., Magnuson, J.T., Wang, X., Gan, J., Gadepalli, R.S., Rimoldi, J., and Schlenk, D., 2021, Stage Dependent Enantioselective Metabolism of Bifenthrin in Embryos of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes): Environmental Science & Technology, v. 55, no. 13, p. 9087-9096. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c01663
Magnuson, J.T., Huff Hartz, K.E., Fulton, C.A., Lydy, M.J., and Schlenk, D., 2021, Transcriptomic and Histopathological Effects of Bifenthrin to the Brain of Juvenile Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Toxics, v. 9, no. 3, p. 48. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9030048Harraka, G.T., Magnuson, J.T., Du, B., Wong, C.S., Maruya, K., and Schlenk, D., 2021, Evaluating the estrogenicity of an effluent-dominated river in California, USA: Comparisons of in vitro and in vivo bioassays: Science of The Total Environment, v. 758, p. 143965. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143965Qian, L., Qi, S., Wang, Z., Magnuson, J.T., Volz, D.C., Schlenk, D., Jiang, J., and Wang, C., 2021, Environmentally relevant concentrations of boscalid exposure affects the neurobehavioral response of zebrafish by disrupting visual and nervous systems: Journal of Hazardous Materials, v. 404, p. 124083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124083Ji, C., Magnuson, J.T., Zhang, W., and Zhao, M., 2021, New insight into the enantioselective cytotoxicity of cypermethrin: imbalance between cell cycle and apoptosis: Journal of Hazardous Materials, v. 403, p. 123893. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123893Fuller, N., Magnuson, J.T., Huff Hartz, K.E., Fulton, C.A., Whitledge, G.W., Acuña, S., Schlenk, D., and Lydy, M.J., 2021, Effects of dietary cypermethrin exposure on swimming performance and expression of lipid homeostatic genes in livers of juvenile Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha: Ecotoxicology, v. 30, no. 2, p. 257-267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-021-02352-2Chen, Q., Santos, M.M.d., Tanabe, P., Harraka, G.T., Magnuson, J.T., McGruer, V., Qiu, W., Shi, H., Snyder, S.A., and Schlenk, D., 2021, Bioassay guided analysis coupled with non-target chemical screening in polyethylene plastic shopping bag fragments after exposure to simulated gastric juice of Fish: Journal of Hazardous Materials, v. 401, p. 123421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123421Magnuson, J.T., Cryder, Z., Andrzejczyk, N.E., Harraka, G., Wolf, D.C., Gan, J., and Schlenk, D., 2020, Metabolomic Profiles in the Brains of Juvenile Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Following Bifenthrin Treatment: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 54, no. 19, p. 12245-12253. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c04847
Magnuson, J.T., Stieglitz, J.D., Garza, S.A., Benetti, D.D., Grosell, M., and Roberts, A.P., 2020, Development of visual function in early life stage mahi-mahi (coryphaena hippurus): Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology, v. 53, no. 5-6, p. 203-214. https://doi.org/10.1080/10236244.2020.1804300
Qiu, W., Fang, M., Magnuson, J.T., Greer, J.B., Chen, Q., Zheng, Y., Xiong, Y., Luo, S., Zheng, C., and Schlenk, D., 2020, Maternal exposure to environmental antibiotic mixture during gravid period predicts gastrointestinal effects in zebrafish offspring: Journal of Hazardous Materials, v. 399, p. 123009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123009Magnuson, J.T., Giroux, M., Cryder, Z., Gan, J., and Schlenk, D., 2020, The use of non-targeted metabolomics to assess the toxicity of bifenthrin to juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Aquatic Toxicology, v. 224, p. 105518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105518Bridges, K.N., Magnuson, J.T., Curran, T.E., Barker, A., Roberts, A.P., and Venables, B.J., 2019, Alterations to the vision-associated transcriptome of zebrafish (Danio rerio) following developmental norethindrone exposure: Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, v. 69, p. 137-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2019.04.011Perrichon, P., Stieglitz, J.D., Xu, E.G., Magnuson, J.T., Pasparakis, C., Mager, E.M., Wang, Y., Schlenk, D., Benetti, D.D., Roberts, A.P., Grosell, M., and Burggren, W.W., 2019, Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) life development: morphological, physiological, behavioral and molecular phenotypes: Developmental Dynamics, v. 248, no. 5, p. 337-350. https://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.27Xu, E.G., Magnuson, J.T., Diamante, G., Mager, E., Pasparakis, C., Grosell, M., Roberts, A.P., and Schlenk, D., 2018, Changes in microRNA–mRNA Signatures Agree with Morphological, Physiological, and Behavioral Changes in Larval Mahi-Mahi Treated with Deepwater Horizon Oil: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 52, no. 22, p. 13501-13510. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b04169
Magnuson, J.T., Khursigara, A.J., Allmon, E.B., Esbaugh, A.J., and Roberts, A.P., 2018, Effects of Deepwater Horizon crude oil on ocular development in two estuarine fish species, red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus): Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, v. 166, p. 186-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.09.087Nielsen, K.M., Zhang, Y., Curran, T.E., Magnuson, J.T., Venables, B.J., Durrer, K.E., Allen, M.S., and Roberts, A.P., 2018, Alterations to the Intestinal Microbiome and Metabolome of Pimephales promelas and Mus musculus Following Exposure to Dietary Methylmercury: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 52, no. 15, p. 8774-8784. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b01150Nielsen, K.M., Krasnec, M.O., Magnuson, J.T., Morris, J.M., Gielazyn, M.L., Chavez, J.R., and Roberts, A.P., 2018, Influence of variable ultraviolet radiation and oil exposure duration on survival of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) larvae: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 37, no. 9, p. 2372-2379. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4183
Xu, E.G., Khursigara, A.J., Magnuson, J., Hazard, E.S., Hardiman, G., Esbaugh, A.J., Roberts, A.P., and Schlenk, D., 2017, Larval Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) Sublethal Exposure to Weathered Deepwater Horizon Crude Oil: Developmental and Transcriptomic Consequences: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 51, no. 17, p. 10162-10172. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b02037Sweet, L.E., Magnuson, J., Garner, T.R., Alloy, M.M., Stieglitz, J.D., Benetti, D., Grosell, M., and Roberts, A.P., 2017, Exposure to ultraviolet radiation late in development increases the toxicity of oil to mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) embryos: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 36, no. 6, p. 1592-1598. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.3687Magnuson, J.T., and Schlenk, D., 2023, Chapter 3.2.1 - Metabolism vs. metabolomics: Mechanisms of endocrine disruption, in Carnevali, O., and Hardiman, G., eds., Environmental Contaminants and Endocrine Health: Academic Press, p. 235-245.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824464-7.00014-3**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.