Thierry M Work
Dr. Thierry M Work is currently the project leader for the National Wildlife Health Center Honolulu Field Station where he leads a team that provides support to safeguard wildlife and ecosystem health through research and technical assistance to federal, state, and international partners.
Professional Experience
1992-Present: Project leader, USGS National Wildlife Health Center Honolulu Field Station
1987-1992: Wildlife veterinarian, California Department of Fish & Game
Education and Certifications
1989 Masters in Preventive Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis
1988 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis
1985 Master Science, Entomology, UC Davis
1983 Bachelor Science, Entomology, Texas A&M
Affiliations and Memberships*
Wildlife Disease Association
Sigma Xi
Science and Products
Relating tissue egg counts to eggs/g of spleen in Hawaiian green turtles
Corallimorph Invasion Palmyra: Data
Chelonid herpesvirus 5 virus isolation data
Pufferfish mortality data
Three decades of stranding data reveal insights into endangered hawksbill sea turtles in Hawai‘i
Characterization of halogenated organic compounds in pelagic sharks and sea turtles using a nontargeted approach
Viral-like particles are associated with endosymbiont pathology in Florida corals affected by stony coral tissue loss disease
Quarterly wildlife mortality report July 2021
A comparative baseline of coral disease in three regions along the Saudi Arabian coast of the central Red Sea
Identifying metabolic alterations associated with coral growth anomalies using 1H NMR metabolomics
Sea star wasting disease pathology in Pisaster ochraceus shows a basal-to-surface process affecting color phenotypes differently
Microbial ecology of coral-dominated reefs in the Federated States of Micronesia
Sea turtles across the North Pacific are exposed to perfluoroalkyl substances
Pathology of mouse (Mus musculus) predation on Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Stony coral tissue loss disease in Florida is associated with disruption of host–zooxanthellae physiology
Cytology reveals diverse cell morphotypes and cellin-cell interactions in normal collector sea urchins Tripneustes gratilla
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.
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 16
Relating tissue egg counts to eggs/g of spleen in Hawaiian green turtles
The present study proposes a new methodology for the quantification of parasite eggs in animal tissue. Quantification of parasites are important to understand epidemiology of spirorchiid infections in sea turtles, however different methodologies for quantifying Spirorchiidae eggs in turtle tissues have been used. The most representative way to quantify Spirorchiidae burdens in tissues is countingCorallimorph Invasion Palmyra: Data
In 2007, a phase shift from corals to corallimorpharians (CM) was documented at Palmyra Atoll, Line Islands, centered around a shipwreck. Subsequent surveys revealed CM to be overgrowing the reef benthos, including corals and coralline algae, potentially placing coral ecosystems in the atoll at risk. This prompted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the lead management agency of the atoll, to rChelonid herpesvirus 5 virus isolation data
Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a tumor disease of marine turtles associated with Chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) that has historically been refractory to growth in tissue culture. Here, we show for the first time de novo formation of ChHV5-positive intranuclear inclusions in cultured green turtle cells, which is indicative for active lytic replication of the virus. The minimal requirements to achievPufferfish mortality data
In 2010, a mass mortality of pufferfish in Hawaii was dominated by Arothron hispidus showing aberrant neurological behaviors. Using pathology, toxinology, and field surveys, we implicated a series of novel, polar, marine toxins as a likely cause of this mass mortality. Our findings are striking in that 1) a marine toxin was associated with a kill of a fish species that is, itself, toxic; 2) we - Publications
Filter Total Items: 167
Three decades of stranding data reveal insights into endangered hawksbill sea turtles in Hawai‘i
Hawksbill sea turtles Eretmochelys imbricata inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands are extremely rare and listed as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act. The paucity of data on basic hawksbill ecology continues to hinder effective management of the species. We analyzed stranding data collected between 1984 and 2018 to gain insights into the distribution, demography, and conservation challengesAuthorsShandell Brunson, Alexander Gaos, Irene Kelly, Kyle van Houtan, Yonat Swimmer, Stacy Hargrove, George H. Balazs, Thierry M. Work, T. Todd JonesCharacterization of halogenated organic compounds in pelagic sharks and sea turtles using a nontargeted approach
Halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) in marine species collected from the Atlantic Ocean [3 shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) and 1 porbeagle (Lamna nasus)], and 12 sea turtles collected from the Pacific Ocean [3 loggerhead (Caretta caretta), 3 green (Chelonia mydas), 3 olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and 3 hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata)] were analyzed with a nontargeted analytical methoAuthorsAikebaier Renaguli, Sujan Fernando, Thomas M. Holsen, Philip K. Hopke, Douglas H. Adams, George H. Balazs, T. Todd Jones, Thierry M. Work, Bernard S. Crimmins, Jennifer M. LynchViral-like particles are associated with endosymbiont pathology in Florida corals affected by stony coral tissue loss disease
Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was first documented in 2014 near the Port of Miami, Florida, and has since spread north and south along Florida’s Coral Reef, killing large numbers of more than 20 species of coral and leading to the functional extinction of at least one species, Dendrogyra cylindrus. SCTLD is assumed to be caused by bacteria based on presence of different molecular assemblAuthorsThierry M. Work, Tina M. Weatherby, Jan H. Landsberg, Yasunaru Kiryu, Samantha M. Cook, Esther C. PetersQuarterly wildlife mortality report July 2021
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) Quarterly Mortality Report provides brief summaries of epizootic mortality and morbidity events by quarter. The write-ups, highlighting epizootic events and other wildlife disease topics of interest, are published in the Wildlife Disease Association quarterly newsletter. A link is provided in this WDA newsletter to the Wildlife Health Information ShaAuthorsBryan J. Richards, Anne Ballmann, Julia S. Lankton, Thierry M. Work, Jaimie L. MillerA comparative baseline of coral disease in three regions along the Saudi Arabian coast of the central Red Sea
Coral disease is a growing problem for coral reefs globally and diseases have been linked to thermal stress, excess nutrients, overfishing and other human impacts. The Red Sea is a unique environment for corals with a strong environmental gradient characterized by temperature extremes and high salinities, but minimal terrestrial runoff or riverine input and their associated pollution. Yet, relativAuthorsGreta S. Aeby, Amanda Shore, Thor Jensen, Maren Ziegler, Thierry M. Work, Christian VoolstraIdentifying metabolic alterations associated with coral growth anomalies using 1H NMR metabolomics
Coral growth anomalies (GAs) are tumor-like protrusions that are detrimental to coral health, affecting both the coral skeleton and soft tissues. These lesions are increasingly found throughout the tropics and are commonly associated with high human population density, yet little is known about the molecular pathology of the disease. Here, we investigate the metabolic impacts of GAs through 1H nucAuthorsErik R. Andersson, Rusty D. Day, Thierry M. Work, Paul E. Anderson, Cheryl M. Woodley, Tracey B. SchockSea star wasting disease pathology in Pisaster ochraceus shows a basal-to-surface process affecting color phenotypes differently
Sea star wasting disease (SSWD) refers to a suite of poorly described non-specific clinical signs including abnormal posture, epidermal ulceration, and limb autotomy (sloughing) causing mortalities of over 20 species of sea stars and subsequent ecological shifts throughout the northeastern Pacific. While SSWD is widely assumed to be infectious, with environmental conditions facilitating disease prAuthorsThierry M. Work, Tina M. Weatherby, Christopher M. DeRito, Ryan M. Besemer, Ian HewsonMicrobial ecology of coral-dominated reefs in the Federated States of Micronesia
Microorganisms are central to the functioning of coral reef ecosystems, but their dynamics are unstudied on most reefs. We examined the microbial ecology of shallow reefs within the Federated States of Micronesia. We surveyed 20 reefs surrounding 7 islands and atolls (Yap, Woleai, Olimarao, Kosrae, Kapingamarangi, Nukuoro, and Pohnpei), spanning 875053 km2. On the reefs, we found consistently highAuthorsAmy Apprill, Henry Holm, Alyson E. Santoro, Cynthia Becker, Matthew Neave, Konrad Hughen, Angela Richards Donà, Greta Aeby, Thierry M. Work, Laura Weber, Sean McNallySea turtles across the North Pacific are exposed to perfluoroalkyl substances
Perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are global, persistent, and toxic contaminants. We assessed PFAS concentrations in green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles from the North Pacific. Fifteen compounds were quantified via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry from 62 green turtle and 6 hawksbill plasma samples from Hawai’i, Palmyra Atoll, and the NorthernAuthorsCathryn Wood, George H. Balazs, Marc Rice, Thierry M. Work, T. Todd Jones, Eleanor J. Sterling, Tammy M. Summers, John Brooker, Lauren Kurpita, Cheryl S. King, Jennifer M. LynchPathology of mouse (Mus musculus) predation on Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Invasive rodents on islands have adverse effects on native birds in island ecosystems, and rats are the most common culprits. Recently, house mice (Mus musculus) in the South Atlantic were found preying on three species of albatross chicks. Here, we show that house mice can also prey on nesting adult Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (US). In contrAuthorsThierry M. Work, Meg Duhr, Beth FlintStony coral tissue loss disease in Florida is associated with disruption of host–zooxanthellae physiology
Samples from eight species of corals (Colpophyllia natans, Dendrogyra cylindrus, Diploria labyrinthiformis, Meandrina meandrites, Montastraea cavernosa, Orbicella faveolata, Pseudodiploria strigosa, and Siderastrea siderea) that exhibited gross clinical signs of acute, subacute, or chronic tissue loss attributed to stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) were collected from the Florida Reef TractAuthorsJan Landsberg, Yasu Kiryu, Esther Peters, Patrick Wilson, Yvonne Waters, Kerry Maxwell, Lindsay Huebner, Thierry M. WorkCytology reveals diverse cell morphotypes and cellin-cell interactions in normal collector sea urchins Tripneustes gratilla
Echinoderms such as sea urchins are important in marine ecosystems, particularly as grazers, and unhealthy sea urchins can have important ecological implications. For instance, unexplained mortalities of Diadema antillarum in the Caribbean were followed by algal overgrowth and subsequent collapse of coral reef ecosystems. Unfortunately, few tools exist to evaluate echinoderm health, making managemAuthorsThierry M. Work, Elena Millard, Daniela B. Mariani, Tina M. Weatherby, Robert Rameyer, Julie Dagenais, Renee Breeden, Allison BealeNon-USGS Publications**
Beale, A.M., Higgins, R.J., Work, T.M., Bailey, C.S., Smith, M.O., Shinka, T., and Hammock, B.D. (1989). MPTP-induced parkinson-like disease in sheep: Clinical and pathologic findings. Journal of Environmental Pathology and Toxicology 9, 417-428.
Hammock, B.D., Beale, A.M., Work, T.M., Gee, S.J., Gunther, R., Higgins, R.J., Shinka, T., and Castagnoli, N. (1989). A sheep model for MPTP induced parkinson-like symptoms. Life Sciences 45, 1601-1608.
Jessup, D.A., Work, T.M., Bushnell, R., Sawyer, M.M., and Osburn, B.I. (1990). An outbreak of bluetongue in captive deer and adjacent livestock in Kern county, California. California Fish and Game 76, 83-90.
Work, T.M., and Jessup, D.A. (1990). Epidemiology and pathology of hemorrhagic disease in free-ranging black-tailed deer in California: 1986-1987. Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society 26, 72-76.
Work, T.M., Sawyer, M.M., Jessup, D.A., Washino, R.K., and Osburn, B.I. (1990). Effects of anaesthetization and storage temperature on bluetongue virus recovery from Culicoides variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and sheep blood. Journal of medical entomology 27, 331-333.
Work, T.M., Washino, R.K., and Van RIper, I.I.I., C (1990). Comparative susceptibility of Culex tarsalis, Anopheles franciscanus and Culiseta inornata (Diptera: Culicidae) to Plasmodium relictum (Haemosporidia: Plasmodiiae). Journal of medical entomology 27, 68-71.
Work, T.M., Mullens, B.A., and Jessup, D.A. (1991). Estimation of survival and gonotrophic cycle length of Culicoides variipennis (Diptera; Ceratopogonidae) in California. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 7, 242-249.
Fritz, L., Quilliam, M.A., Wright, J.L.C., Beale, A.M., and Work, T.M. (1992). An outbreak of domoic acid poisoning attributed to the pennate diatom Pseudonitzschia australis. J Phycol 28, 439-442.
Work, T.M., Jessup, D.A., and Sawyer, M.M. (1992). Experimental bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus infeciton in black-tailed deer. J Wildl Dis 28, 623-628.
Work, T.M., Barr, B., Beale, A., Fritz, L., Quilliam, M.A., and Wright, J.L.C. (1993). Epidemiology of domoic acid poisoning in brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and Brandt's cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) in California. J Zoo Wildl Med 24, 54-62.
Work, T.M., Beale, A.M., Fritz, L., Quilliam, M.A., Silver, M., Buck, K., and Wright, J. (1993). Domoic acid intoxication of brown pelicans and cormorants in Santa Cruz, California. In Toxic phytoplankton blooms in the sea, T. Smayda, ed. (Copenhagen: Elsiever), pp. 643-649.
Work, T.M., DeLong, R.L., Spraker, T.R., and Melin, S.R. (1993). Halothane anesthesia as a method of immobilizing free-ranging California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). J Zoo Wildl Med 24, 482-487.
Chomel, B.B., Carniciu, M.L., Kasten, R.W., Castelli, P.M., Work, T.M., and Jessup, D.A. (1994). Antibody prevalence of eight ruminant infectious diseases in California mule and black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemioneus). J Wildl Dis 30, 51-59.
Patton, J.F., Work, T.M., Jessup, D.A., Hietala, S.K., Oliver, M.N., and MacLachlan, N.J. (1994). Serologic detection of bluetongue virus infection of black-tailed deer:comparison of the serum neutralization, agar gel immunodiffusion, and competitive ELISA assays. J Wildl Dis 30, 99-102.
Paul-Murphy, J., Work, T., Hunter, D.B., McFie, E., and Fjelline, D. (1994). Serologic survey and serum biochemical reference ranges of the free-ranging mountain lion (Felis concolor) in California. J Wildl Dis 30, 205-215.**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