Mark Gaikowski holds a M.A. and a B.S. in Biology from the University of South Dakota.
Mark has served as the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey's Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center since 2014. As Director, Mark is responsible for leading research scientists based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, whose work spans scales from the molecular level to continental modeling.
Before becoming Center Director at UMESC, Mark was a supervisory biologist and branch chief of a research branch at UMESC focused primarily on management of aquatic invasive species and the development of drugs and chemicals used in aquaculture and fisheries management. Prior to that, Mark was a research physiologist at UMESC leading studies to assess the efficacy, animal safety, human food safety and environmental safety of aquaculture drugs. Mark's research supported the approval of three new drugs for use in U.S. aquaculture and supported expanded drug labels of two other drugs. His professional interests include understanding the impact and management of biological threats in natural and managed systems and the toxicology and pharmacology of exogenous compounds in fish and other aquatic organisms.
Science and Products
Development of Chemical Tools to Control Invasive Carp and Dreissenid Mussels
Assessment of carbon dioxide piscicide treatments: Data
Efficacy of hydrogen peroxide to reduce Gyrodactylus species infestation density on four fish species
Assembly methods for an external acoustic transmitter attachment device for fish telemetry studies
Efficacy of florfenicol and oxytetracycline administered in feed to control cisco mortality associated with Aeromonas salmonicida infections
Effects of formaldehyde (Parasite-S®) on biofilter nitrification from a cold- and a warm freshwater RAS
Introduction to a special section: Integrated pest management—extending a terrestrial paradigm to aquatic environments
Telemetry evaluation of carbon dioxide as a behavioral deterrent for invasive carps
Toxicity of carbon dioxide to freshwater fishes: Implications for aquatic invasive species management
Carbon dioxide-induced mortality of four species of North American fishes
Effects of formaldehyde on nitrification in biofilters of small‐scale recirculating systems
Assessment of carbon dioxide piscicide treatments
Water guns affect abundance and behavior of bigheaded carp and native fish differently
Acoustic deterrence of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) to a broadband sound stimulus
Science and Products
- Science
Development of Chemical Tools to Control Invasive Carp and Dreissenid Mussels
Over 180 and 140 aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been introduced into the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River basins, respectively, with threats of new invasions always on the horizon. Sea lamprey, zebra mussels, and invasive carps are just a few examples of AIS whose abilities to alter aquatic habitats and disrupt food cycles threaten many outdoor recreation opportunities and ecosystems... - Data
Assessment of carbon dioxide piscicide treatments: Data
Spreadsheets include data that was used to evaluate the efficacy of dry ice administered under-ice as a tool for reducing the overwinter survival of invasive carps. There are 10 CSV associated with this study - Publications
Filter Total Items: 71
Efficacy of hydrogen peroxide to reduce Gyrodactylus species infestation density on four fish species
ObjectiveThe ability to effectively treat parasitic infestations of fish is of high importance for fish culture facilities. However, tools or approved therapies for treating infestations on fish are limited. This paper summarizes results from four separate clinical field studies that evaluated the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 35% PEROX-AID) for reducing Gyrodactylus spp. infestation densitAuthorsMaren T. Tuttle-Lau, Eric Leis, Aaron R. Cupp, Laura Lynne Peterman, Jillian Hebert, Richard A. Erickson, Susan M. Schleis, Mark P. GaikowskiAssembly methods for an external acoustic transmitter attachment device for fish telemetry studies
The purpose of this report is to describe the assembly methods for an external acoustic transmitter attachment device that can be used during fish telemetry studies. External attachment is a simple procedure that can limit handling and reduce recovery times on fish. This report provides step-by-step directions to assemble devices; this assembly method can be used for telemetry studies where externAuthorsJustin R. Smerud, Kim T. Fredricks, Mark P. Gaikowski, Aaron R. CuppEfficacy of florfenicol and oxytetracycline administered in feed to control cisco mortality associated with Aeromonas salmonicida infections
Two medications (one with florfenicol and one with oxytetracycline) that are approved in the United States to control mortality due to furunculosis associated with Aeromonas salmonicida were assessed to determine their efficacy in medicated feeds to treat A. salmonicida-infected Cisco (also known as Lake Herring) Coregonus artedi. Cisco were subjected to static infection baths containing A. salmonAuthorsAaron R. Cupp, Maren T. Tuttle-Lau, Eric Leis, Samantha Lea Wolfe, Justin Smerud, John W. Oliver, Richard A. Erickson, Austin Hannah, Aaron Johnson, Rachel Grace Nelson, Isaac Standish, Joel Wils, Mark P. GaikowskiEffects of formaldehyde (Parasite-S®) on biofilter nitrification from a cold- and a warm freshwater RAS
The effect of Parasite-S® (an aqueous formaldehyde solution) on the nitrification processes of biofilters was evaluated in two recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs). Rearing tanks in the warmwater RAS contained yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) with an initial weight of 166.8 kg and a mean density of 39.5 kg/m3. Rearing tanks in the coldwater RAS containedAuthorsKim T. Fredricks, Susan M. Schleis, Justin Smerud, Mark P. Gaikowski, Richard A. Erickson, Jillian Lee Hebert, Gregory J. Fischer, Kendall Holmes, Christopher F HartlebIntroduction to a special section: Integrated pest management—extending a terrestrial paradigm to aquatic environments
No abstract available.AuthorsMark P. Gaikowski, Patrick KočovskýTelemetry evaluation of carbon dioxide as a behavioral deterrent for invasive carps
Carbon dioxide (CO2) mixed into water is being explored as a possible management strategy to deter the upstream movements of invasive carps through navigation locks and other migratory pinch-points. This study used two-dimensional acoustic telemetry to assess the effectiveness of dissolved CO2 as a chemosensory deterrent to two carp species in a large U-shaped pond. Free-swimming movements of teleAuthorsAaron R. Cupp, Ashley K Lopez, Justin Smerud, John A. Tix, Jose Rivera, Nicholas M. Swyers, Marybeth K. Brey, Christa M. Woodley, David L. Smith, Mark P. GaikowskiToxicity of carbon dioxide to freshwater fishes: Implications for aquatic invasive species management
Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a new aquatic pesticide to control invasive Asian carps and other aquatic nuisance species in the United States. However, limited CO2 toxicity data could make it challenging for resource managers to characterize the potential risk to nontarget species during CO2 applications. The present study quantified the toxiciAuthorsAaron R. Cupp, Justin Smerud, Linnea M Thomas, Diane L. Waller, David L. Smith, Richard A. Erickson, Mark P. GaikowskiCarbon dioxide-induced mortality of four species of North American fishes
Fisheries managers have a growing interest in the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a tool for controlling invasive fishes. However, limited published data exist on susceptibility of many commonly encountered species to elevated CO2 concentrations. Our objective was to estimate the 24-h 50% lethal concentration (LC50) and 95% lethal concentration (LC95) of CO2 for four fishes (Rainbow Trout OncorhyncAuthorsHilary B. Treanor, Andrew M. Ray, Jon Amberg, Mark P. Gaikowski, Jason E. Ilgen, Robert Gresswell, Leslie Gains-Germain, Molly A H WebbEffects of formaldehyde on nitrification in biofilters of small‐scale recirculating systems
Florfenicol (Aquaflor®) is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug for treating diseased fish reared in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Treating diseased fish in RAS is challenging because of the potential to damage nitrifying bacteria in the biofilters. Impaired nitrification can lead to concentrations of ammonia and nitrite that compromise fish welfare. The objectAuthorsKim T. Fredricks, Aaron R. Cupp, Susan M. Schleis, Richard A. Erickson, Mark P. GaikowskiAssessment of carbon dioxide piscicide treatments
Few chemicals are approved to control or eradicate nuisance fish populations in the United States. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is currently being developed and studied as a new piscicide option for nonselective population control. This study evaluated dry ice (solid state CO2) as a simple CO2 delivery method during winter piscicide applications. Nonnative Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, BigheadAuthorsAaron R. Cupp, Justin Smerud, John Tix, Jose Rivera, Stacie A. Kageyama, Christopher M. Merkes, Richard A. Erickson, Jon Amberg, Mark P. GaikowskiWater guns affect abundance and behavior of bigheaded carp and native fish differently
Water guns have shown the potential to repel nuisance aquatic organisms. This study examines the effects of exposure to a 1966.4 cm3 seismic water gun array (two guns) on the abundance and behavior of Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, Silver Carp H. molitrix (collectively referred to as bigheaded carp) and native fishes (e.g., Smallmouth Buffalo Ictiobus bubalus). Water guns were deployed iAuthorsJose Rivera, David C. Glover, Patrick Kočovský, James E. Garvey, Mark P. Gaikowski, Nathan R. Jensen, Ryan F. AdamsAcoustic deterrence of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) to a broadband sound stimulus
Recent studies have shown the potential of acoustic deterrents against invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). This study examined the phonotaxic response of the bighead carp (H. nobilis) to pure tones (500–2000 Hz) and playbacks of broadband sound from an underwater recording of a 100 hp outboard motor (0.06–10 kHz) in an outdoor concrete pond (10 × 5 × 1.2 m) at the U.S. Geological SAuthorsBrooke J. Vetter, Kelsie Murchy, Aaron R. Cupp, Jon J. Amberg, Mark P. Gaikowski, Allen F. Mensinger - News