Purcell, M., G. Mackey, E. LaHood, H. Huber, and L. Park. 2004. Molecular methods for the genetic identification of salmonid prey from Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi ) scat. Fish. Bull. 1002: 213-220.
Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D.
Maureen leads a team of scientists, technicians, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students and visiting scientists working to improve methods for the detection of fish pathogens, determine factors affecting the epidemiology of fish diseases, and develop novel control strategies for reducing losses among both hatchery-reared and wild fish.
Biography
Education:
Ph.D. 2005. Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
M.S. 1997. Zoology, University of Maine, Orono, ME
B.S. 1993. Zoology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Research Interests:
The Fish Health Section studies infectious diseases of fish, molecular taxonomy and epidemiology of fish pathogens, ecology of fish diseases in wild populations and fish host defenses. A portion of our time is spent providing technical assistance to other federal, state and tribal fisheries agencies, including activities such as training, technology transfer and rapid response to emerging fish pathogens.
Experience:
2017 to Present - Chief, Fish Health Section, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
2014 to Present - Affiliate Associate Professor, Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2008-2016 - Research Microbiologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
2005 - 2008 - Microbiologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
1999 - 2000 - Contractor, NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fishery Science Center, Seattle, WA
1997 - 1999 - Professional Research Assistant, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Honors, Awards, Recognition, Elected Memberships:
2016 - Presidential Early Career Service Award for Scientists and Engineers
2012 - U.S. Geological Survey, Western States Diversity Award group award to Fish Health Section
2012 - American Fisheries Society, Most significant paper in Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
2009 - U.S. Geological Survey, Best Professional Paper in Biology by a New Scientist
2008 - American Fisheries Society, Most significant paper in Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
2004 - Faculty Merit Award, U.W. School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences
Academic and Professional Service:
Associate Editor - Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
Editorial Board - Fish and Shellfish Immunology
Editorial Board - Journal of Virological Methods
Professional Societies:
American Fisheries Society - Fish Health Section
European Association of Fish Pathologists
Science and Products
Date published: December 17, 2020
Status: Active Partners - FHP
For more than five decades the WFRC Fish Health Program has worked with partners to provide research findings to managers of aquatic resources. Those partners form a network of colleagues, co-investigators, and customers. Our partners include Department of the Interior bureaus, tribal and state fisheries agencies, other federal partners and the private sector.
Contacts: Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D.
Attribution: Fish Health Program (FHP)
Date published: December 17, 2020
Status: Active Fish Health Program Lead Scientists and Areas of Expertise
Lead Scientists - Expertise
Contacts: Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D.
Attribution: Fish Health Program (FHP)
Date published: December 16, 2020
Status: Active Species Studied by the Fish Health Program
List of species studied by the Fish Health Program. These species include bacteria, fish, parasites, and viruses. The list contains both common and scientific names. Descriptions of species and studies can be found under the "Related Science" tab.
Contacts: Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D.
Attribution: Fish Health Program (FHP)
Date published: December 15, 2020
Status: Active Tribal Collaboration - Fish Health Program (FHP)
The Fish Health Program has a strong commitment to respond to requests for research and technical support from Tribal fisheries agencies.
Contacts: Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D.
Date published: October 18, 2018
Status: Active Herring Disease Program
Using an approach that involves a combination of field- and laboratory-based studies, we are investigating fish health factors that may be contributing to the failed recovery of Pacific herring populations in Prince William Sound, AK. Field studies are providing infection and disease prevalence data to inform the population models, serological data that indicate the prior exposure history and...
Date published: September 4, 2018
Status: Active Detection Protocols - Renibacterium salmoninarum
Protocols for the Detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum in salmon
Contacts: Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D.
Date published: August 24, 2018
Status: Active Ichthyobodo - FHP
Fish Diseases
Ichthyobodo
Contacts: Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D.
Date published: July 12, 2018
Status: Active Research on Emerging Viruses of Salmonids - FHP
At the request of the State of Washington, the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Western Fisheries Research Center has been providing technical advice and conducting research regarding the emergence of IHNV in the watersheds of coastal Washington State.
Contacts: Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D.
Date published: July 12, 2018
Status: Active Emerging Viruses - FHP
Fish Diseases
Emerging Viruses
Contacts: Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D., Gael Kurath, Ph.D.
Date published: July 12, 2018
Status: Active Nucleospora Salmonis - FHP
Fish Diseases
Nucleospora Salmonis
Contacts: Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D.
Date published: July 12, 2018
Status: Completed Whirling Disease - FHP
Fish Diseases
Whirling Disease
Contacts: Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D.
Date published: July 12, 2018
Status: Active Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD) - FHP
Fish Diseases
Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD)
Contacts: Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D.
Date published: January 1, 2018
Dataset: Molecular testing of adult Pacific salmon and trout (Oncorhynchus spp.) for several RNA viruses demonstrates widespread distribution of piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) in Alaska and Washington
Dataset for the publication 'Molecular testing of adult Pacific salmon and trout (Oncorhynchus spp.) for several RNA viruses demonstrates widespread distribution of piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) in Alaska and Washington'. This research was initiated in conjunction with a systematic, multi-agency surveillance effort in the United States (U.S.) in response to reported findings of in
Date published: January 1, 2017
Detection of Nanophyetus salmincola in water, snails and fish tissues by quantitative PCR
The data are used to support the development and validation of two quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays to detect the parasite Nanophyetus salmincola DNA in water samples and fish and snail tissues. The data link to a series of experiments that are described in the publications. Experiment 1 defines the linearity and detection limits of the assays. Experiment 2 assesses the...
Year Published: 2021
Exploration of the 2016 Yellowstone River fish kill and proliferative kidney disease in wild fish populations
Proliferative kidney disease (PKD) is an emerging disease that recently resulted in a large mortality event of salmonids in the Yellowstone River (Montana, USA). Total PKD fish mortalities in the Yellowstone River were estimated in the tens of thousands, which resulted in a multi‐week river closure and an estimated economic loss of US$500,000....
Hutchins, Patrick Ross; Sepulveda, Adam J.; Hartikainen, Hanna; Staigmiller, Ken D.; Opitz, Scott T.; Yamamoto, Renee M.; Huttinger, Amberly; Cordes, Rick J.; Weiss, Tammy; Hopper, Lacey R.; Purcell, Maureen K.; Okamura, Beth
Year Published: 2021
Novel diagnostic tests for the putative agent of bacterial gill disease in Pacific razor clams (Siliqua patula)
Nuclear inclusion X (NIX) is a gamma proteobacteria that infects the nuclei of gill epithelial cells in Pacific razor clams. NIX has been associated with clam die-offs in coastal Washington. A quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was developed to detect NIX in Pacific razor clams, and assay specificity was confirmed by chromogenic in situ...
Travis, Brooke A; Batts, William N.; Groner, Maya; Hershberger, Paul; Fradkin, Steven C.; Conway, Carla M.; Park, Linda; Purcell, Maureen K.
Year Published: 2020
Disease in Central Valley salmon: Status and lessons from other systems
Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) are increasingly vulnerable to anthropogenic activities and climate change, especially at their most southern species range in California’s Central Valley. There is considerable interest in understanding stressors that contribute to population decline and in identifying management actions that reduce the...
Lehman, Brendan M; Johnson, Rachel C.; Adkison, Mark; Burgess, Oliver T; Connon, Richard E; Fangue, Nann A.; Foott, Scott J; Hallett, Sascha L; Martínez-López, Beatriz; Miller, Kristina M.; Purcell, Maureen K.; Som, Nicholas A.; Valdes-Donoso, Pablo; Collins, Alison L
Year Published: 2020
Genomes reveal genetic diversity of Piscine orthoreovirus in farmed and free-ranging salmonids from Canada and USA
Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV-1) is a segmented RNA virus which is commonly found in salmonids in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. PRV-1 causes the Heart and Skeletal Muscle Inflammation (HSMI) disease in Atlantic salmon and is associated with several other disease conditions. Previous phylogenetic studies of genome segment 1 (S1) identified four...
Siah, Ahmed; Breyta, B. R.; Warheit, K. I.; Gagne, N; Purcell, Maureen K.; Morrison, Diane B.; Powell, J. F. F.; Johnson, S. C.
Year Published: 2020
Consequences of Piscine orthoreovirus genotype 1 (PRV‐1) infections in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ), coho salmon (O. kisutch ) and rainbow trout (O. mykiss )
Piscine orthoreovirus genotype 1 (PRV‐1) is the causative agent of heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). The virus has also been found in Pacific salmonids in western North America, raising concerns about the risk to native salmon and trout. Here, we report the results of...
Purcell, Maureen K.; Powers, Rachel L.; Taksdal, Torunn; Mckenney, Douglas; Conway, Carla M.; Elliott, Diane G.; Polinski, Mark; Garver, Kyle A.; Winton, James
Year Published: 2020
Herring Disease Program II 19120111-E - 2019 Annual Report
We will investigate fish health factors that may be contributing to the failed recovery of Pacific herring populations in Prince William Sound. Field samples will provide infection and disease prevalence data from Prince William Sound and Sitka Sound that will inform the ASA model, serological data that will indicate the prior exposure history and...
Hershberger, Paul; Purcell, Maureen K.Attribution: Western Fisheries Research Center, Ecosystems, Fisheries Program, Fish Health Program (FHP), Marrowstone Marine Field Station (MMFS)
View Citation
Hershberger, P., and M. Purcell. 2020. Herring Disease Program II - 2019 Annual Report. EVOSTC Annual Project Report. Project Number 19120111-E. 10 p.
Year Published: 2020
Ichthyophonus sp. Infection in Opaleye (Girella nigricans)
Over a 3-year-period, 17 wild-caught opaleye (Girella nigricans) housed in a public display aquarium were found dead without premonitory signs. Grossly, 4 animals had pinpoint brown or black foci on coelomic adipose tissue. Histologically, liver, spleen, heart, and posterior kidney had mesomycetozoan granulomas in all cases; other organs were less...
LaDouceur, Elise E. B; St. Leger, Judy; Mena, Alexandria; Mackenzie, Ashley; Gregg, Jacob; Purcell, Maureen K.; Batts, William N.; Hershberger, Paul
Year Published: 2019
Complete genome sequences of the index isolates of two genotypes of Pacific salmon paramyxovirus
We report here the genome sequences of two index strains of Pacific salmon paramyxovirus isolated in 1982 and 1983 from adult salmon in Oregon. The isolates are most closely related to Atlantic salmon paramyxovirus, the type species of the genus Aquaparamyxovirus, but are sufficiently distinct to be considered two genotypes of a novel species.
Winton, James; Batts, William N.; Powers, Rachel L.; Purcell, Maureen K.
Year Published: 2018
Broad-spectrum antiviral JL122 blocks infection and inhibits transmission of aquatic rhabdoviruses
The aquaculture industry is growing rapidly to meet the needs for global protein consumption. Viral diseases in aquaculture are quite challenging due to lack of treatment options as well as limited injection-delivery vaccines, which are costly. Thus, water-immersion antiviral treatments are highly desirable. This study focused on broad-...
Balmer, Bethany F.; Getchell, Rodman G.; Powers, Rachel L.; Lee, Jihye; Zhang, Tinghu; Jung, Michael E.; Purcell, Maureen K.; Snekvik, Kevin; Aguilar, Hector C.Attribution: Western Fisheries Research Center, Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, Fisheries Program, Fish Health Program (FHP)
View Citation
Balmer, B.F., R.G. Getchell, R.L. Powers, J. Lee, T. Zhang, M.E. Jung, M.K. Purcell, K.Snekvik, and H.C. Aguilar. Broad-spectrum antiviral JL122 blocks infection and inhibits transmission of aquatic rhabdoviruses. Virology 525: 143-149.
Year Published: 2018
A snapshot of women of the U.S. Geological Survey in STEM and related careers
IntroductionThe term “STEM” has been used to group together the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to describe education and professions related to these fields. The professional fields connected to STEM education are thought of as engineering, medicine, and computer technology. Yet these professional fields are merely...
Aragon-Long, Susan C.; Burkett, Virginia R.; Weyers, Holly S.; Haig, Susan M.; Davenport, Marjorie S.; Warner, Kelly L.Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Ecosystems, Land Resources, Fish & Wildlife Disease
View Citation
Aragon-Long, S.C., Burkett, V.R., Weyers, H.S., Haig, S.M., Davenport, M.S., and Warner, K.L., 2018, A snapshot of women of the U.S. Geological Survey in STEM and related careers: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1443, 100 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1443.
Year Published: 2018
Molecular testing of adult Pacific salmon and trout (Oncorhynchus spp.) for several RNA viruses demonstrates widespread distribution of piscine orthoreovirus in Alaska and Washington
This research was initiated in conjunction with a systematic, multiagency surveillance effort in the United States (U.S.) in response to reported findings of infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) RNA in British Columbia, Canada. In the systematic surveillance study reported in a companion paper, tissues from various salmonids taken from...
Purcell, Maureen K.; Thompson, Rachel L.; Evered, Joy; Kerwin, John; Meyers, Ted R.; Stewart, Bruce; Winton, JamesAttribution: Western Fisheries Research Center, Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, Fisheries Program, Fish Health Program (FHP)
View Citation
Purcell, M.K., R.L. Powers, J. Evered, J. Kerwin, T.R. Meyers, B. Stewart, and J.R. Winton. 2017. Molecular testing of adult Pacific salmon and trout (Oncorhynchus spp.) for several RNA viruses demonstrates widespread distribution of piscine orthoreovirus in Alaska and Washington. J. Fish Dis. 41(2): 347-355. DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12740.
Year Published: 2018
A systematic surveillance programme for infectious salmon anaemia virus supports its absence in the Pacific Northwest of the United States
In response to reported findings of infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) in British Columbia (BC), Canada, in 2011, U.S. national, state and tribal fisheries managers and fish health specialists developed and implemented a collaborative ISAV surveillance plan for the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Accordingly, over a 3-1/2-year...
Gustafson, Lori L.; Creekmore, Lynn H.; Snekvik, Kevin R.; Ferguson, Jayde A.; Warg, Janet V.; Blair, Marilyn; Meyers, Theodore R.; Stewart, Bruce; Warheit, Kenneth I.; Kerwin, John; Goodwin, Andrew E.; Rhodes, Linda D.; Whaley, Janet E.; Purcell, Maureen K.; Bentz, Collette; Shasa, Desiree; Bader, Joel; Winton, James R.Attribution: Western Fisheries Research Center, Ecosystems, Fish & Wildlife Disease, Fisheries Program, Fish Health Program (FHP)
View Citation
Gustafson, L.L., L.H. Creekmore, K.R. Snekvik, J.A. Ferguston, J.V. Warg, M. Blair, T.R. Meyers, B. Stewart, K.I. Warheit, J. Kerwin, A.E. Goodwin, L.D. Rhodes, J.E. Whaley, M.K. Purcell, C. Bentz, D. Shasa, J. Bader, and J.R. Winton. 2018. A systematic surveillance programme for infectious salmon anaemia virus supports its absence in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. J. Fish. Dis. 41(2): 337-346.
Pre-USGS Publications
Lage, C., M. Purcell, M. Forgarty, and I. Kornfield. 2001. Microsatellite evaluation of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) stocks in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 58: 982-990. DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-58-5-982.
Purcell, M.K., J-L. Mu, D.C. Higgins, R. Elango, H. Whitmore, S. Harris, and B. Paigen. 2001. Fine mapping of Ath6, a quantitative trait locus for atherosclerosis in mice. Mammalian Genome 12(7): 495-500. DOI: 10.1007/s00335001-0006-9.
Interdecadal heterogeneity of mitochondrial DNA in Atlantic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) from Georges Bank
Purcell, M.K., I.L. Kornfield, M.J. Fogarty and A. Parker. (1996) Interdecadal heterogeneity of mitochondrial DNA in Atlantic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) from Georges Bank. Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology. 5:185-192.
Date published: December 13, 2017
Western Fisheries Science News, November 2017 | Issue 5.11
USGS and Chinese Fish Health Specialists Meet in the People's Republic of China to Discuss Fish Health
Attribution: Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP)
Date published: July 12, 2017
Western Fisheries Science News, June 2017 | Issue 5.6
Dr. Diane Elliott Retires After Long Distinguished Career
Attribution: Western Fisheries Research Center
Date published: May 15, 2017
Western Fisheries Science News, April 2017 | Issue 5.4
Dr. Jim Winton Retires After Long Distinguished Career
Attribution: Western Fisheries Research Center
Date published: April 6, 2016
Western Fisheries Science News, March 2016 | Issue 4.3
Understanding the Effects of Temperature on Diseases in Fish
Date published: January 5, 2015
Western Fisheries Science News, December 2014 | Issue 2.12
WFRC’s Bacterial Kidney Disease Research and Its Relation to the Great Lakes Fisheries
Attribution: Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP)
Date published: October 1, 2014
Western Fisheries Science News, September 2014 | Issue 2.9
WFRC Hosts Visiting Scientists from Norway
Attribution: Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP)