Dr. Hansen is a Research Immunologist at the Western Fisheries Research Center. His laboratory utilizes a basic research, comparative approach to understand host-pathogen interactions in fish and the impact of environmental stressors on fish and wildlife health.
Research Interests:
Our research team at the WFRC focuses on mediators of inflammation, host-pathogen interactions, and the impact of environmental stressors on fish health. We are particularly interested in how early life and sub-lethal exposure to environmental contaminants affect disease resistance. We focus on Pacific salmon and employ current molecular and biochemical approaches. In addition, we have developed specific research projects that utilize zebrafish. Zebrafish represent an attractive model organism for studies involving fish and vertebrate health owing to the availability and utility of their genomic and genetic resources as well as an abundance of established pathogen challenge protocols for zebrafish.
Current projects include assessing virulence factors for Francisella noatunensis (a fish-specific pathogen) and projects designed to address the effect of specific environmental contaminants including mercury, PFAS, PCBs, and algal toxins on metabolism, disease resistance, and the host microbiome. We are committed to addressing the effects of stormwater runoff (e.g., 6PPDQ) on salmon health. These research efforts have translational value for fish, wildlife, and human health around the world. Our goal is to better understand how the compound effects of pathogens, stressors, and the host immune response contribute to fish health and how this information can be applied to protect vertebrate health everywhere.
Current Laboratory Members:
- Ellie Dalsky, Biological Science Technician
- Justin Greer, Ph.D. Computational Biologist
- Kincer Crovetti, UW Student Contractor
- Prarthana Shakar, Ph.D. Biologist
- Yo Okumura, Ph.D. Postdoctoral fellow co-mentored with Ram Savan, UW Immunology
Professional Experience
2004 to Present - Research Immunologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
2004 to Present – Affiliate Associate Professor, Pathobiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2001 to 2004 – Assistant Professor, Immunology, University of MD Biotechnology Institute
1995 to 2001 – Member, Basel Institute for Immunology, Basel Switzerland
Education and Certifications
Postdoc. Basel Institute for Immunology, Basel, Switzerland
Ph.D. Genetics/Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
B.S. Zoology and Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI
Science and Products
COVID-19 Pathways and Wildlife Dynamics
Immunomodulation Science Team
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) - FHP
Science and Products
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COVID-19 Pathways and Wildlife Dynamics
Below are the USGS 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) research projects related to COVID-19 pathways and wildlife dynamics. Select tabs above for related items.Immunomodulation Science Team
The Immunomodulation Integrated Science Team focuses on contaminant and pathogen exposures in the environment that might influence the immune systems of wildlife and the connection to their shared environment with humans. In collaboration with public-health officials, the Team also addresses potential human-health risks stemming from similar exposures. If actual risks are identified, this Team...Zebrafish (Danio rerio) - FHP
This fish species has become a powerful model organism for the study of vertebrate biology, developmental and genetic research, and more recently infectious disease studies. - Data
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