Vicki S. Blazer, PhD
Vicki startted with the National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Leetown Science Center (now the Eastern Ecological Science Center - Leetown Research Laboratory), Kearneysville, WV in1992. She was previously employed as the Assistant Leader of the Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. She was also on the graduate faculty in the School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia.
She is active in numerous research projects within the Northeast as well as nationally and internationally. She is active in the American Fisheries Society Fish Health Section and a member of other scientific societies. She is an adjunct faculty member at West Virginia University and Penn State and serves on graduate student committees. Research areas include development of microscopic and molecular markers for understanding changes in the health and populations of wild fishes. Areas of focus include endocrine disruption, emerging diseases, fish tumor pathology and assessment at Great Lakes Areas of Concern, land use influences on fish health, reproduction and immunomodulation.
Professional Experience
Postdoctoral Research Associate, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia
Assistant Leader, Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia
Research Fishery Biologist, Leetown Science Center
Education and Certifications
B.S. in Marine Science and Biology Southampton College, Long Island University.
PhD in Fisheries, Aquaculture and Pathology, Rhode Island University
Affiliations and Memberships*
Adjunct Professor, West Virginia University
Adjunct Professor, Penn State University
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 22
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Genome sequences of 26 white sucker hepatitis B virus isolates from white sucker, catostomus commersonii, inhabiting transboundary waters from Alberta, Canada, to the Great Lakes, USA Genome sequences of 26 white sucker hepatitis B virus isolates from white sucker, catostomus commersonii, inhabiting transboundary waters from Alberta, Canada, to the Great Lakes, USA
We report 26 genomes of the white sucker hepatitis B virus (WSHBV) from the white sucker, Catostomus commersonii. Genome length ranged from 3541 to 3543 bp and nucleotide identity was 96.7% or greater across genomes. This work suggests a geographical range of this virus that minimally extends from the Athabasca River, Alberta, Canada to the Great Lakes, USA.
Authors
Cynthia R. Adams, Vicki S. Blazer, Jim Sherry, Robert S. Cornman, Luke R. Iwanowicz
Production and characterization of a mouse monoclonal antibody against smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) IgM Production and characterization of a mouse monoclonal antibody against smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) IgM
A murine monoclonal antibody (mAb, IgG2a) was produced for the detection of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) immunoglobulin (IgM). The antibody is specific for IgM heavy chain and was shown to also recognize the Ig heavy chain of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) using Western Blot analysis of plasma from 9 teleost taxa. When applied to the...
Authors
Christopher Ottinger, Cheyenne R. Smith, Vicki S. Blazer, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Mary Ann Vogelbein, Stephen Kaattari
Phylogeographic genetic diversity in the white sucker hepatitis B Virus across the Great Lakes Region and Alberta, Canada Phylogeographic genetic diversity in the white sucker hepatitis B Virus across the Great Lakes Region and Alberta, Canada
Hepatitis B viruses belong to a family of circular, double-stranded DNA viruses that infect a range of organisms, with host responses that vary from mild infection to chronic infection and cancer. The white sucker hepatitis B virus (WSHBV) was first described in the white sucker (Catostomus commersonii), a freshwater teleost, and belongs to the genus Parahepadnavirus. At present, the...
Authors
Cynthia R Adams, Vicki S. Blazer, Jim Sherry, Robert S. Cornman, Luke R. Iwanowicz
Biological and anthropogenic influences on macrophage aggregates in white perch Morone americana from Chesapeake Bay, USA Biological and anthropogenic influences on macrophage aggregates in white perch Morone americana from Chesapeake Bay, USA
The response of macrophage aggregates in fish to a variety of environmental stressors has been useful as a biomarker of exposure to habitat degradation. Total volume of macrophage aggregates (MAV) was estimated in the liver and spleen of white perch Morone americana from Chesapeake Bay using stereological approaches. Hepatic and splenic MAV were compared between fish populations from the...
Authors
Mark A Matsche, Vicki S. Blazer, Erin Pulster, Patricia M. Mazik
Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of contaminants in agricultural watersheds with implications for land management Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of contaminants in agricultural watersheds with implications for land management
If not managed properly, modern agricultural practices can alter surface and groundwater quality and drinking water resources resulting in potential negative effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Exposure to agriculturally derived contaminant mixtures has the potential to alter habitat quality and negatively affect fish and other aquatic organisms. Implementation of conservation...
Authors
Kelly L. Smalling, Olivia Devereux, Stephanie E. Gordon, Patrick J. Phillips, Vicki S. Blazer, Michelle L. Hladik, Dana W. Kolpin, Michael T. Meyer, Adam Sperry, Tyler Wagner
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Plains Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center
Modeling estrogenic activity in streams throughout the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay watersheds Modeling estrogenic activity in streams throughout the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay watersheds
Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), specifically estrogenic endocrine-disrupting compounds, vary in concentration and composition in surface waters under the influence of different landscape sources and landcover gradients. Estrogenic activity in surface waters may lead to adverse effects in aquatic species at both individual and population levels, often observed through the presence...
Authors
Stephanie E. Gordon, Daniel K. Jones, Vicki S. Blazer, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Brianna Williams, Kelly Smalling
Ecological risk assessment of environmental stress and bioactive chemicals to riverine fish populations: An individual-based model of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu Ecological risk assessment of environmental stress and bioactive chemicals to riverine fish populations: An individual-based model of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu
Ecological risk assessments play an important role in environmental management and decision-making. Although empirical measurements of the effects of habitat changes and chemical exposure are often made at molecular and individual levels, environmental decision-making often requires the quantification of management-relevant, population-level outcomes. In this study, we generalized a...
Authors
Yan Li, Vicki S. Blazer, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Megan K. Schall, Kelly Smalling, Donald E. Tillitt, Tyler Wagner
Retrospective analysis of estrogenic endocrine disruption and land-use influences in the Chesapeake Bay watershed Retrospective analysis of estrogenic endocrine disruption and land-use influences in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and its watershed includes river drainages in six states and the District of Columbia. Sportfishing is of major economic interest, however, the rivers within the watershed provide numerous other ecological, recreational, cultural and economic benefits, as well as serving as a drinking water source for millions of people...
Authors
Vicki S. Blazer, Stephanie E. Gordon, Daniel K. Jones, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Heather L. Walsh, Adam Sperry, Kelly L. Smalling
High prevalence of biliary neoplasia in white perch Morone americana: Potential roles of bile duct parasites and environmental contaminants High prevalence of biliary neoplasia in white perch Morone americana: Potential roles of bile duct parasites and environmental contaminants
Recent surveys of white perch Morone americana from Chesapeake Bay, USA, revealed a high prevalence of hepatic and biliary lesions, including neoplasia, and bile duct parasites. Here, we describe lesions in the liver and gallbladder and evaluate for statistical associations among lesions, parasites, and biomarkers of chemical exposure in fish from 2 tributaries of Chesapeake Bay. Fish...
Authors
Mark A Matsche, Vicki S. Blazer, Erin Pulster, Patricia M. Mazik
Groundwater discharges as a source of phytoestrogens and other agriculturally derived contaminants to streams Groundwater discharges as a source of phytoestrogens and other agriculturally derived contaminants to streams
Groundwater discharge zones in streams are important habitats for aquatic organisms. The use of discharge zones for thermal refuge and spawning by fish and other biota renders them susceptible to potential focused discharge of groundwater contamination. Currently, there is a paucity of information about discharge zones as a potential exposure pathway of chemicals to stream ecosystems...
Authors
Tyler J. Thompson, Martin A. Briggs, Patrick J. Phillips, Vicki S. Blazer, Kelly L. Smalling, Dana W. Kolpin, Tyler Wagner
Development of a suite of functional immune assays and initial assessment of their utility in wild smallmouth bass health assessments Development of a suite of functional immune assays and initial assessment of their utility in wild smallmouth bass health assessments
Methods were developed for measuring immune function in Micropterus dolomieu (smallmouth bass). The ultimate objective is to monitor and evaluate changes over time in immune status and disease resistance in conjunction with other characteristics of fish health and environmental stressors. To test these methods for utility in ecotoxicological studies, 192 smallmouth bass, age 2 years and...
Authors
Cheyenne R. Smith, Christopher A. Ottinger, Heather L. Walsh, Vicki S. Blazer
Effects of early life stage exposure of largemouth bass to atrazine or a model estrogen (17α-ethinylestradiol) Effects of early life stage exposure of largemouth bass to atrazine or a model estrogen (17α-ethinylestradiol)
Endocrine disrupting contaminants are of continuing concern for potentially contributing to reproductive dysfunction in largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (CBW) and elsewhere. Exposures to atrazine (ATR) have been hypothesized to have estrogenic effects on vertebrate endocrine systems. The incidence of intersex in male smallmouth bass from some regions of CBW...
Authors
Jessica Kristin Leet, Catherine A. Richter, Robert S. Cornman, Jason P. Berninger, Ramji K. Bhandari, Diane K. Nicks, James L. Zajicek, Vicki S. Blazer, Donald E. Tillitt
Filter Total Items: 13
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 19
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 194
Genome sequences of 26 white sucker hepatitis B virus isolates from white sucker, catostomus commersonii, inhabiting transboundary waters from Alberta, Canada, to the Great Lakes, USA Genome sequences of 26 white sucker hepatitis B virus isolates from white sucker, catostomus commersonii, inhabiting transboundary waters from Alberta, Canada, to the Great Lakes, USA
We report 26 genomes of the white sucker hepatitis B virus (WSHBV) from the white sucker, Catostomus commersonii. Genome length ranged from 3541 to 3543 bp and nucleotide identity was 96.7% or greater across genomes. This work suggests a geographical range of this virus that minimally extends from the Athabasca River, Alberta, Canada to the Great Lakes, USA.
Authors
Cynthia R. Adams, Vicki S. Blazer, Jim Sherry, Robert S. Cornman, Luke R. Iwanowicz
Production and characterization of a mouse monoclonal antibody against smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) IgM Production and characterization of a mouse monoclonal antibody against smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) IgM
A murine monoclonal antibody (mAb, IgG2a) was produced for the detection of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) immunoglobulin (IgM). The antibody is specific for IgM heavy chain and was shown to also recognize the Ig heavy chain of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) using Western Blot analysis of plasma from 9 teleost taxa. When applied to the...
Authors
Christopher Ottinger, Cheyenne R. Smith, Vicki S. Blazer, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Mary Ann Vogelbein, Stephen Kaattari
Phylogeographic genetic diversity in the white sucker hepatitis B Virus across the Great Lakes Region and Alberta, Canada Phylogeographic genetic diversity in the white sucker hepatitis B Virus across the Great Lakes Region and Alberta, Canada
Hepatitis B viruses belong to a family of circular, double-stranded DNA viruses that infect a range of organisms, with host responses that vary from mild infection to chronic infection and cancer. The white sucker hepatitis B virus (WSHBV) was first described in the white sucker (Catostomus commersonii), a freshwater teleost, and belongs to the genus Parahepadnavirus. At present, the...
Authors
Cynthia R Adams, Vicki S. Blazer, Jim Sherry, Robert S. Cornman, Luke R. Iwanowicz
Biological and anthropogenic influences on macrophage aggregates in white perch Morone americana from Chesapeake Bay, USA Biological and anthropogenic influences on macrophage aggregates in white perch Morone americana from Chesapeake Bay, USA
The response of macrophage aggregates in fish to a variety of environmental stressors has been useful as a biomarker of exposure to habitat degradation. Total volume of macrophage aggregates (MAV) was estimated in the liver and spleen of white perch Morone americana from Chesapeake Bay using stereological approaches. Hepatic and splenic MAV were compared between fish populations from the...
Authors
Mark A Matsche, Vicki S. Blazer, Erin Pulster, Patricia M. Mazik
Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of contaminants in agricultural watersheds with implications for land management Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of contaminants in agricultural watersheds with implications for land management
If not managed properly, modern agricultural practices can alter surface and groundwater quality and drinking water resources resulting in potential negative effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Exposure to agriculturally derived contaminant mixtures has the potential to alter habitat quality and negatively affect fish and other aquatic organisms. Implementation of conservation...
Authors
Kelly L. Smalling, Olivia Devereux, Stephanie E. Gordon, Patrick J. Phillips, Vicki S. Blazer, Michelle L. Hladik, Dana W. Kolpin, Michael T. Meyer, Adam Sperry, Tyler Wagner
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Plains Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center
Modeling estrogenic activity in streams throughout the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay watersheds Modeling estrogenic activity in streams throughout the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay watersheds
Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), specifically estrogenic endocrine-disrupting compounds, vary in concentration and composition in surface waters under the influence of different landscape sources and landcover gradients. Estrogenic activity in surface waters may lead to adverse effects in aquatic species at both individual and population levels, often observed through the presence...
Authors
Stephanie E. Gordon, Daniel K. Jones, Vicki S. Blazer, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Brianna Williams, Kelly Smalling
Ecological risk assessment of environmental stress and bioactive chemicals to riverine fish populations: An individual-based model of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu Ecological risk assessment of environmental stress and bioactive chemicals to riverine fish populations: An individual-based model of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu
Ecological risk assessments play an important role in environmental management and decision-making. Although empirical measurements of the effects of habitat changes and chemical exposure are often made at molecular and individual levels, environmental decision-making often requires the quantification of management-relevant, population-level outcomes. In this study, we generalized a...
Authors
Yan Li, Vicki S. Blazer, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Megan K. Schall, Kelly Smalling, Donald E. Tillitt, Tyler Wagner
Retrospective analysis of estrogenic endocrine disruption and land-use influences in the Chesapeake Bay watershed Retrospective analysis of estrogenic endocrine disruption and land-use influences in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and its watershed includes river drainages in six states and the District of Columbia. Sportfishing is of major economic interest, however, the rivers within the watershed provide numerous other ecological, recreational, cultural and economic benefits, as well as serving as a drinking water source for millions of people...
Authors
Vicki S. Blazer, Stephanie E. Gordon, Daniel K. Jones, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Heather L. Walsh, Adam Sperry, Kelly L. Smalling
High prevalence of biliary neoplasia in white perch Morone americana: Potential roles of bile duct parasites and environmental contaminants High prevalence of biliary neoplasia in white perch Morone americana: Potential roles of bile duct parasites and environmental contaminants
Recent surveys of white perch Morone americana from Chesapeake Bay, USA, revealed a high prevalence of hepatic and biliary lesions, including neoplasia, and bile duct parasites. Here, we describe lesions in the liver and gallbladder and evaluate for statistical associations among lesions, parasites, and biomarkers of chemical exposure in fish from 2 tributaries of Chesapeake Bay. Fish...
Authors
Mark A Matsche, Vicki S. Blazer, Erin Pulster, Patricia M. Mazik
Groundwater discharges as a source of phytoestrogens and other agriculturally derived contaminants to streams Groundwater discharges as a source of phytoestrogens and other agriculturally derived contaminants to streams
Groundwater discharge zones in streams are important habitats for aquatic organisms. The use of discharge zones for thermal refuge and spawning by fish and other biota renders them susceptible to potential focused discharge of groundwater contamination. Currently, there is a paucity of information about discharge zones as a potential exposure pathway of chemicals to stream ecosystems...
Authors
Tyler J. Thompson, Martin A. Briggs, Patrick J. Phillips, Vicki S. Blazer, Kelly L. Smalling, Dana W. Kolpin, Tyler Wagner
Development of a suite of functional immune assays and initial assessment of their utility in wild smallmouth bass health assessments Development of a suite of functional immune assays and initial assessment of their utility in wild smallmouth bass health assessments
Methods were developed for measuring immune function in Micropterus dolomieu (smallmouth bass). The ultimate objective is to monitor and evaluate changes over time in immune status and disease resistance in conjunction with other characteristics of fish health and environmental stressors. To test these methods for utility in ecotoxicological studies, 192 smallmouth bass, age 2 years and...
Authors
Cheyenne R. Smith, Christopher A. Ottinger, Heather L. Walsh, Vicki S. Blazer
Effects of early life stage exposure of largemouth bass to atrazine or a model estrogen (17α-ethinylestradiol) Effects of early life stage exposure of largemouth bass to atrazine or a model estrogen (17α-ethinylestradiol)
Endocrine disrupting contaminants are of continuing concern for potentially contributing to reproductive dysfunction in largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (CBW) and elsewhere. Exposures to atrazine (ATR) have been hypothesized to have estrogenic effects on vertebrate endocrine systems. The incidence of intersex in male smallmouth bass from some regions of CBW...
Authors
Jessica Kristin Leet, Catherine A. Richter, Robert S. Cornman, Jason P. Berninger, Ramji K. Bhandari, Diane K. Nicks, James L. Zajicek, Vicki S. Blazer, Donald E. Tillitt
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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