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 group at the WFRC focuses on mediators of inflammation, the development of immune-related tools (mAbs) for salmonids and the impact(s) of environmental stressors (e.g. contaminants, pathogens, temperature) on immune response potential. We are particularly interested in how early life exposure to environmental contaminants affects disease resistance. To better appreciate these interactions, we have developed specific research projects that utilize zebrafish. Zebrafish represent an attractive model for studies involving fish and vertebrate health owing to the availability and utility of genomic and genetic resources for this model vertebrate as well as established pathogen challenge protocols.
Current zebrafish-related projects include assessing virulence factors for Francisella noatunensis (a fish specific pathogen) and projects designed to address the effect(s) of specific environmental contaminants such as EE2, mercury, PFAS and algal toxins on disease resistance and the microbiome of fish. These research efforts have translational value for fish, wildlife and human health. Ultimately, our goal is to better understand how pathogens, stressors and the host immune response contribute to pathogenesis and/or immunity and how this information can be applied to vertebrate health.
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
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
- Publications
- Science
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
- News