A Chinese firebelly newt (Cynops orientalis), the first salamander species found to be infected with the spring viraemia of carp virus.
Jeffrey M Lorch
Jeff Lorch is a Microbiologist at the National Wildlife Health Center.
He received bachelor degrees in Bacteriology and Wildlife Ecology and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Environmental Toxicology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Since joining the USGS, Dr. Lorch has devoted his career to investigating and diagnosing wildlife mortality events and studying emerging wildlife diseases. Presently, his work focuses on disease ecology and management of bat white-nose syndrome and snake fungal disease, surveillance for Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (the fungus that causes salamander chytridiomycosis), and development of molecular methods for detection of wildlife pathogens.
Professional Experience
2015 – Present, Microbiologist, National Wildlife Health Center
2012 – 2015, Research Associate, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2012
B.S. Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2005
B.S. Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2005
Affiliations and Memberships*
2015 – Present, Honorary Associate, Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Science and Products
Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory (DML) Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory (DML)
Prevalence Rates of Snake Fungal Disease and Its Population-level Impacts in a Snake Assemblage in Southwest Louisiana
Snake Fungal Disease
White-Nose Syndrome
Pathological findings in rainbow snakes (Farancia erytrogramma) associated with mortality events in Virginia, USA, 2020-2022 Pathological findings in rainbow snakes (Farancia erytrogramma) associated with mortality events in Virginia, USA, 2020-2022
Nocardia cyriacigeorgica in a Mallard Duck Nocardia cyriacigeorgica in a Mallard Duck
Data Release: Coordinated efforts toward understanding a mortality event in wild passerines in the eastern United States: Responses, lessons learned and future recommendations Data Release: Coordinated efforts toward understanding a mortality event in wild passerines in the eastern United States: Responses, lessons learned and future recommendations
Pd Surveillance DNA Extraction by Sample Type Experiment Data Release Pd Surveillance DNA Extraction by Sample Type Experiment Data Release
Data release for mortality events in Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) due to white-nose syndrome in Washington, USA, 2020-2024 Data release for mortality events in Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) due to white-nose syndrome in Washington, USA, 2020-2024
Analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data from Myotis lucifugus and Myotis occultus Analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data from Myotis lucifugus and Myotis occultus
A Chinese firebelly newt (Cynops orientalis), the first salamander species found to be infected with the spring viraemia of carp virus.
A Chinese firebelly newt (Cynops orientalis), the salamander species recently found to be infected with the spring viraemia of carp virus, or SVCV.
A Chinese firebelly newt (Cynops orientalis), the salamander species recently found to be infected with the spring viraemia of carp virus, or SVCV.
Fungi growing from soil collected in a cave. Arrow points to Geomyces destuctans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats.
Fungi growing from soil collected in a cave. Arrow points to Geomyces destuctans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats.
Amount of soil (about 200 mg) from which Geomyces destructans was cultured. This shows the small amount of soil needed to harbor live fungus and the threat that humans might pose in moving it around from cave to cave on their gear, boots, and clothing.
Amount of soil (about 200 mg) from which Geomyces destructans was cultured. This shows the small amount of soil needed to harbor live fungus and the threat that humans might pose in moving it around from cave to cave on their gear, boots, and clothing.
Mortality events in Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) due to white-nose syndrome in Washington, USA Mortality events in Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) due to white-nose syndrome in Washington, USA
Pan-amphibia distribution of the fungal parasite Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis varies with species and temperature Pan-amphibia distribution of the fungal parasite Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis varies with species and temperature
An enigmatic wild passerine mortality event in the eastern United States An enigmatic wild passerine mortality event in the eastern United States
Glucocorticoid and glycemic responses to immune challenge in a viviparous snake afflicted with an emerging mycosis Glucocorticoid and glycemic responses to immune challenge in a viviparous snake afflicted with an emerging mycosis
The skin I live in: Pathogenesis of white-nose syndrome of bats The skin I live in: Pathogenesis of white-nose syndrome of bats
Paranannizziopsis spp. Infection in Wild Vipers, Europe Paranannizziopsis spp. Infection in Wild Vipers, Europe
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
Code for: Small enzootic survival costs mask the potential for long-term population size suppression Code for: Small enzootic survival costs mask the potential for long-term population size suppression
Science and Products
Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory (DML) Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory (DML)
Prevalence Rates of Snake Fungal Disease and Its Population-level Impacts in a Snake Assemblage in Southwest Louisiana
Snake Fungal Disease
White-Nose Syndrome
Pathological findings in rainbow snakes (Farancia erytrogramma) associated with mortality events in Virginia, USA, 2020-2022 Pathological findings in rainbow snakes (Farancia erytrogramma) associated with mortality events in Virginia, USA, 2020-2022
Nocardia cyriacigeorgica in a Mallard Duck Nocardia cyriacigeorgica in a Mallard Duck
Data Release: Coordinated efforts toward understanding a mortality event in wild passerines in the eastern United States: Responses, lessons learned and future recommendations Data Release: Coordinated efforts toward understanding a mortality event in wild passerines in the eastern United States: Responses, lessons learned and future recommendations
Pd Surveillance DNA Extraction by Sample Type Experiment Data Release Pd Surveillance DNA Extraction by Sample Type Experiment Data Release
Data release for mortality events in Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) due to white-nose syndrome in Washington, USA, 2020-2024 Data release for mortality events in Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) due to white-nose syndrome in Washington, USA, 2020-2024
Analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data from Myotis lucifugus and Myotis occultus Analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data from Myotis lucifugus and Myotis occultus
A Chinese firebelly newt (Cynops orientalis), the first salamander species found to be infected with the spring viraemia of carp virus.
A Chinese firebelly newt (Cynops orientalis), the first salamander species found to be infected with the spring viraemia of carp virus.
A Chinese firebelly newt (Cynops orientalis), the salamander species recently found to be infected with the spring viraemia of carp virus, or SVCV.
A Chinese firebelly newt (Cynops orientalis), the salamander species recently found to be infected with the spring viraemia of carp virus, or SVCV.
Fungi growing from soil collected in a cave. Arrow points to Geomyces destuctans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats.
Fungi growing from soil collected in a cave. Arrow points to Geomyces destuctans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats.
Amount of soil (about 200 mg) from which Geomyces destructans was cultured. This shows the small amount of soil needed to harbor live fungus and the threat that humans might pose in moving it around from cave to cave on their gear, boots, and clothing.
Amount of soil (about 200 mg) from which Geomyces destructans was cultured. This shows the small amount of soil needed to harbor live fungus and the threat that humans might pose in moving it around from cave to cave on their gear, boots, and clothing.
Mortality events in Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) due to white-nose syndrome in Washington, USA Mortality events in Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) due to white-nose syndrome in Washington, USA
Pan-amphibia distribution of the fungal parasite Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis varies with species and temperature Pan-amphibia distribution of the fungal parasite Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis varies with species and temperature
An enigmatic wild passerine mortality event in the eastern United States An enigmatic wild passerine mortality event in the eastern United States
Glucocorticoid and glycemic responses to immune challenge in a viviparous snake afflicted with an emerging mycosis Glucocorticoid and glycemic responses to immune challenge in a viviparous snake afflicted with an emerging mycosis
The skin I live in: Pathogenesis of white-nose syndrome of bats The skin I live in: Pathogenesis of white-nose syndrome of bats
Paranannizziopsis spp. Infection in Wild Vipers, Europe Paranannizziopsis spp. Infection in Wild Vipers, Europe
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
Code for: Small enzootic survival costs mask the potential for long-term population size suppression Code for: Small enzootic survival costs mask the potential for long-term population size suppression
*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