Stephen D McCormick
Steve McCormick is a Scientist Emeritus at the Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory in Turners Falls, MA.
Steve’s work has centered on the environmental and hormonal control of water and salt balance, development, growth and reproduction of anadromous fishes, including salmon, trout, shad, alewife, sturgeon and lamprey. This research has addressed important environmental issues including acidification, impacts of dams, endocrine disruptors and climate change, especially the impacts of temperature and salinity. The results of this work have been published in more than 190 papers and book chapters. Steve has been Chair of the Division of Comparative Endocrinology and member of the Executive Board of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, and President and Current Member of the Executive Committee of the Physiology Section of the American Fisheries Society (AFS). He has been a visiting scientist at the University of Goteborg (1988) and Ocean Research Institute of the University of Tokyo (1990), James Chair Visiting Professor at St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia, Canada (1999) and Visiting Scholar at Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan (2002). In 2014 he received the Excellence in Fish Physiology Award for lifetime achievement from the Physiology Section of AFS. He has been an adjunct Professor of Biology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst since 1990 and Associate Editor of General and Comparative Endocrinology since 1996.
Professional Experience
1990-present Research Physiologist & Physiology Section Leader, Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center, USGS, Turners Falls, MA.
2016-present Senior Scientist, USGS
1998-1999 Acting Director, Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center, USGS, Biological Resources Division, Turners Falls, MA.
1989-1990 Research Fellow, Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo (with Professor Tetsuya Hirano, 4 months).
1986-1989 Postdoctoral Fellow (NIH) with Professor Howard A. Bern in the Department of Zoology, Univ. of California, Berkeley.
1983-1986 Postdoctoral Fellow, with Dr. Richard L. Saunders, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, St. Andrews Biological Station, New Brunswick, Canada.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., 1983, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanography Joint Program in Oceanography, Cambridge and Woods Hole, MA USA
Affiliations and Memberships*
1990-present, Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
1992-present, Adjunct Professor, Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
1993 Member, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Science and Products
Characterization of smoltification in the Tasmanian strain of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in recirculation and flowthrough systems
The emerging contaminant 3,3’-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB-11) impedes Ahr activation and Cyp1a activity to modify embryotoxicity of Ahr ligands in the zebrafish embryo model (Danio rerio)
Energy depletion and stress levels of Sockeye Salmon migrating at the northern edge of their distribution
Evidence for a role of arginine vasotocin (AVT) receptors in the gill during salinity acclimation by a euryhaline teleost fish
How lipid content and temperature affect American shad (Alosa sapidissima) attempt rate and sprint swimming: Implications for overcoming migration barriers
Functional divergence of thyrotropin beta-subunit paralogs gives new insights into salmon smoltification metamorphosis
The evolutionary consequences for seawater performance and its hormonal control when anadromous Atlantic salmon become landlocked
Dynamics of gene expression responses for ion transport proteins and aquaporins in the gill of a Euryhaline Pupfish during freshwater and high salinity acclimation
In vivo effects of 17α-ethinylestradiol, 17B-estradiol and 4-nonylphenol on insulin-like growth-factor binding proteins (igfbps) in Atlantic salmon
The S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center--a model for progress
Shifts in the relationship between mRNA and protein abundance of gill ion-transporters during smolt development and seawater acclimation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Effects of elevated temperature on osmoregulation and stress responses in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts in freshwater and seawater
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.
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Filter Total Items: 207
Characterization of smoltification in the Tasmanian strain of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in recirculation and flowthrough systems
This study examined morphological, physiological and molecular indicators of smoltification in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) juveniles in a flow-through (FT) and recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Fish were exposed to 24-h light to initiate smoltification, for 5 (FT) and 7 (RAS) weeks prior to transfer from freshwater (FW) to seawater (SW) and were sampled weekly preceding and following SW trAuthorsChristian A. van Rijn, P.L. Jones, Brad S. Evans, Christine Huynh, Stephen D. McCormick, Luis O B AfonsoThe emerging contaminant 3,3’-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB-11) impedes Ahr activation and Cyp1a activity to modify embryotoxicity of Ahr ligands in the zebrafish embryo model (Danio rerio)
Background: 3,3’-Dichlorobiphenyl (PCB-11) is a non-legacy PCB congener widely detected in environmental samples and has been detected in human serum, but its toxicity potential is poorly understood. Objectives: We measured PCB-11 in wild caught fish and assessed its embryotoxicity and interactions with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) pathway in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio). Methods: PCAuthorsMonika A Roy, Karilyn E Sant, Olivia L Venezia, Alix B Shipman, Stephen D. McCormick, Alicia R Timme-LaragyEnergy depletion and stress levels of Sockeye Salmon migrating at the northern edge of their distribution
The physiological challenge for anadromous fish to migrate upriver is influenced by river temperature, but the impacts of river temperature can be difficult to predict due to an incomplete understanding of how temperature influences migration costs, especially in high‐latitude (>60°N) ecosystems. To assess temperature influences on migrating Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp., we measured heat shockAuthorsMichael P. Carey, Kevin D. Keith, Merlyn Schelske, Charlie Lean, Stephen D. McCormick, Amy M. Regish, Christian E. ZimmermanEvidence for a role of arginine vasotocin (AVT) receptors in the gill during salinity acclimation by a euryhaline teleost fish
The neurohypophysial nonapeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT) plays a role in regulation of osmotic balance in teleost fishes, but its mechanisms of action are not fully understood. Recently, is was discovered that nonapeptide receptors differentiated into V1a-type, several V2-type, and two isotocin (IT) receptor paralogs in teleost fishes, and it remains unclear which of these nonapeptide receptors mAuthorsSean C. Lema, Elise H Washburn, Mary E Crowley, Paul G Carvalho, Jennifer N Egelston, Stephen D. McCormickHow lipid content and temperature affect American shad (Alosa sapidissima) attempt rate and sprint swimming: Implications for overcoming migration barriers
How seasonal effects such as temperature increases and reduced lipid content affect the ability of anadromous fishes to traverse high-velocity barriers and sprint swimming is poorly understood. We evaluated American shad (Alosa sapidissima) swimming performance in a flume against high flow velocities (2.5–3.7 m·s−1) during the upstream migration period (April–May; temperatures 11.1–21.4 °C) to detAuthorsShannon Michael Bayse, Stephen D. McCormick, Theodore R. Castro-SantosFunctional divergence of thyrotropin beta-subunit paralogs gives new insights into salmon smoltification metamorphosis
Smoltification is a metamorphic event in salmon life history, which initiates downstream migration and pre-adapts juvenile salmon for seawater entry. While a number of reports concern thyroid hormones and smoltification, few and inconclusive studies have addressed the potential role of thyrotropin (TSH). TSH is composed of a α-subunit common to gonadotropins, and a β-subunit conferring hormone speAuthorsMitchell S Fleming, Gersende Maugars, Anne-Gaelle LaFont, Romain Fontaine, Finn-Arne Weltzien, Stephen D. McCormickThe evolutionary consequences for seawater performance and its hormonal control when anadromous Atlantic salmon become landlocked
Populations of anadromous fish have become landlocked in relatively recent geological history (AuthorsStephen D. McCormick, Amy M. Regish, William R. Ardren, Björn Thrandur Björnsson, Nicholas J. BernierDynamics of gene expression responses for ion transport proteins and aquaporins in the gill of a Euryhaline Pupfish during freshwater and high salinity acclimation
Pupfishes (genus Cyprinodon) evolved some of the broadest salinity tolerances of teleost fishes, with some taxa surviving in conditions from freshwater to nearly 160 ppt. In this study, we examined transcriptional dynamics of ion transporters and aquaporins in the gill of the desert Amargosa pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis amargosae) during rapid salinity change. Pupfish acclimated to 7.5 ppt wereAuthorsSean Lema, Paul G Carvalho, Jennifer N Egelston, John T. Kelly, Stephen D. McCormickIn vivo effects of 17α-ethinylestradiol, 17B-estradiol and 4-nonylphenol on insulin-like growth-factor binding proteins (igfbps) in Atlantic salmon
Feminizing endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) affect the growth and development of teleost fishes. The major regulator of growth performance, the growth hormone (Gh)/insulin-like growth-factor (Igf) system, is sensitive to estrogenic compounds and mediates certain physiological and potentially behavioral consequences of EDC exposure. Igf binding proteins (Igfbps) are key modulators of Igf activAuthorsJason P. Breves, Tara A. Duffy, Ingibjörg E. Einarsdottir, Björn Thrandur Björnsson, Stephen D. McCormickThe S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center--a model for progress
No abstract available.AuthorsTheodore R. Castro-Santos, Alexander J. Haro, Benjamin H. Letcher, Stephen D. McCormickShifts in the relationship between mRNA and protein abundance of gill ion-transporters during smolt development and seawater acclimation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Smolting Atlantic salmon exhibit a seasonal increase in seawater tolerance that is associated with changes in the abundance of major gill ion-transporter transcripts and proteins. In the present study, we investigate how the transcript and protein abundance of specific ion-transporter isoforms relate to each other during smolt development and seawater acclimation, and how each correlates to seawatAuthorsArne K. Christensen, Amy M. Regish, Stephen D. McCormickEffects of elevated temperature on osmoregulation and stress responses in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts in freshwater and seawater
Smolting in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar is a critical life‐history stage that is preparatory for downstream migration and entry to seawater that is regulated by abiotic variables including photoperiod and temperature. The present study was undertaken to determine the interaction of temperature and salinity on salinity tolerance, gill osmoregulatory proteins and cellular and endocrine stress in S.AuthorsLuis Vargas-Chacoff, Amy M. Regish, Andrew Weinstock, Stephen D. McCormickNon-USGS Publications**
Yoshikawa, J.S.M., McCormick, S.D., Young, G. and Bern, H.A. 1993. Effects of salinity on chloride cell morphology and density, and Na+,K+-ATPase activity in the teleost Gillichthys mirabilis. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 105: 311-317.McCormick, S.D., S. Hasegawa and T. Hirano. 1992. Calcium uptake in the skin of a fresh water teleost. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 89: 3635-3638.
McCormick, S.D., Tsai, P.I., Kelley, K.M., Nishioka, R.S. and Bern, H.A. 1992. Stimulation of coho salmon growth by insulin-like growth factor I. General and Comparative Endocrinology 86: 398-406.McCormick, S.D., Tsai, P.I., Kelley, K.M., Nishioka, R.S. and Bern, H.A. 1991. Hormonal control of sulfate uptake by branchial cartilage of coho salmon: role of IGF-I. Journal of Experimental Zoology 262: 166-171.Bern, H.A., McCormick, S.D., Kelley, K.M., Gray, E.S., Nishioka, R.S., Madsen, S.S. and Tsai, P.I. 1991. Insulin-like growth factors "under water": role in growth and function of fish and other poikilothermic vertebrates. In: Modern Concepts of Insulin-Like Growth Factors. Ed.: E.M. Spencer. Elsevier Press, New York. Pp. 85-96.McCormick, S.D., Dickhoff, W.W., Duston, J., Nishioka, R.S. and Bern, H.A. 1991. Developmental differences in the responsiveness of gill Na+,K+-ATPase to cortisol in salmonids. General and Comparative Endocrinology 84: 308-317.McCormick, S.D., T. Sakamoto, S. Hasegawa and T. Hirano. 1991. Osmoregulatory actions of insulin-like growth factor I in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Journal of Endocrinology 130: 87-92.Herndon, T., S.D. McCormick and H.A. Bern. 1991. Effects of prolactin on chloride cells in opercular membrane of seawater-adapted tilapia. General and Comparative Endocrinology 83: 283-289.McCormick, S.D. 1990. Cortisol directly stimulates differentiation of chloride cells in tilapia opercular membrane (Oreochromis mossambicus). American Journal Physiology 259: R857-R863.McCormick, S.D. 1990. Fluorescent labelling of Na+,K+-ATPase in intact cells using a fluorescent derivative of ouabain. Cell and Tissue Research 260: 529-533.McCormick, S.D. and R.L. Saunders. 1990. Influence of ration level and salinity on circulating levels of thyroid hormones in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). General and Comparative Endocrinology 78: 224-230.Montgomery, W.L., S.D. McCormick, R.J. Naiman, F.G. Whoriskey and G. Black. 1989. Migration and use of marine resources by brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the Moisie River, Quebec. Polish Archives of Hydrobiology 37: 43-61.McCormick, S.D., R.L. Saunders and A.D. MacIntyre. 1989. The effect of salinity and ration level on growth rate and conversion efficiency in Atlantic salmon smolts. Aquaculture 82: 173-180.McCormick S.D. and H.A. Bern. 1989. In vitro stimulation of Na+,K+-ATPase activity and ouabain binding by cortisol in coho salmon gill. American Journal Physiology 256: R707-R715.McCormick, S.D., C.D. Moyes and J.S. Ballantyne. 1989. Influence of salinity on the energetics of gill and kidney of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 6: 243-254.McCormick, S.D., R.L. Saunders and A.D. MacIntyre. 1989. Mitochondrial enzyme activity, and ion regulation during parr-smolt transformation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 6: 231-241Young, P.S., S.D. McCormick, J.R. Demarest, R.J. Lin, R.S. Nishioka, and H.A. Bern. 1988. Effects of salinity, hypophysectomy and prolactin on whole-animal transepithelial potential in the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus. General and Comparative Endocrinology 71: 389-397.Wildish, D.J., D.D. Kristmanson, R.L. Hoar, A.M. DeCoste, S.D. McCormick and A.W. White. 1987. Giant scallop feeding and growth response to flow. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 113: 207-220.Naiman, R.J., S.D. McCormick, W.L. Montgomery and R. Morin. 1987. Anadromous brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis: opportunities and constraints for population enhancement. Marine Fisheries Review 49: 1-13.**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.
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*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