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
Filter Total Items: 19
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 194
Histologic, immunologic and endocrine biomarkers indicate contaminant effects in fishes of the Ashtabula River Histologic, immunologic and endocrine biomarkers indicate contaminant effects in fishes of the Ashtabula River
The use of fish as sentinels of aquatic ecosystem health is a biologically relevant approach to environmental monitoring and assessment. We examined the health of the Ashtabula River using histologic, immunologic, and endocrine biomarkers in brown bullhead (BB; Ameiurus nebulosus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and compared fish collected from a reference site (Conneaut...
Authors
L. R. Iwanowicz, V. S. Blazer, N.P. Hitt, S. D. McCormick, D.S. Devault, C. A. Ottinger
On the need for a national (US) research program to elucidate the potential risks to human health and the environment posed by contaminants of emerging concern On the need for a national (US) research program to elucidate the potential risks to human health and the environment posed by contaminants of emerging concern
No abstract available.
Authors
P.J. Novak, William A. Arnold, V. S. Blazer, R.U. Halden, R.D. Klaper, D.W. Kolpin, D. Kriebel, N.G. Love, D. Martinovic-Weigelt, H.B. Patisaul, S.A. Snyder, F. vom Saal, A.V. Weisbrod
An overview of estrogen-associated endocrine disruption in fishes: Evidence of effects on reproductive and immune physiology An overview of estrogen-associated endocrine disruption in fishes: Evidence of effects on reproductive and immune physiology
Simply and perhaps intuitively defined, endocrine disruption is the abnormal modulation of normal hormonal physiology by exogenous chemicals. In fish, endocrine disruption of the reproductive system has been observed worldwide in numerous species and is known to affect both males and females. Observations of biologically relevant endocrine disruption most commonly occurs near waste water...
Authors
Luke Iwanowicz, Vicki S. Blazer
Endocrine active chemicals and endocrine disruption in Minnesota streams and lakes: Implications for aquatic resources, 1994-2008 Endocrine active chemicals and endocrine disruption in Minnesota streams and lakes: Implications for aquatic resources, 1994-2008
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with St. Cloud State University, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, and the University of Minnesota, has conducted field monitoring studies and laboratory research to determine the presence of endocrine active chemicals and...
Authors
Kathy Lee, Heiko Schoenfuss, Larry Barber, Jeff Writer, Vicki Blazer, Richard Keisling, Mark Ferrey
Steroid determination in fish plasma using capillary electrophoresis Steroid determination in fish plasma using capillary electrophoresis
A capillary separation method that incorporates pH-mediated stacking is employed for the simultaneous determination of circulating steroid hormones in plasma from Perca flavescens (yellow perch) collected from natural aquatic environments. The method can be applied to separate eight steroid standards: progesterone, 17α,20β-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone...
Authors
L. Bykova, S. Archer-Hartmann, L.A. Holland, Luke Iwanowicz, Vicki S. Blazer
Mortality of centrarchid fishes in the Potomac drainage: Survey results and overview of potential contributing factors Mortality of centrarchid fishes in the Potomac drainage: Survey results and overview of potential contributing factors
Skin lesions and spring mortality events of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu and selected other species were first noted in the South Branch of the Potomac River in 2002. Since that year morbidity and mortality have also been observed in the Shenandoah and Monocacy rivers. Despite much research, no single pathogen, parasite, or chemical cause for the lesions and mortality has been...
Authors
Vicki Blazer, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Clifford Starliper, Steven Zaugg, Mark Burkhardt, P. Barbash, J.D. Hedrick, S.J. Reeser, J.E. Mullican, J. Kelble
Antidepressant pharmaceuticals in two U.S. effluent-impacted streams: Occurrence and fate in water and sediment and selective uptake in fish neural tissue Antidepressant pharmaceuticals in two U.S. effluent-impacted streams: Occurrence and fate in water and sediment and selective uptake in fish neural tissue
Antidepressant pharmaceuticals are widely prescribed in the United States; release of municipal wastewater effluent is a primary route introducing them to aquatic environments, where little is known about their distribution and fate. Water, bed sediment, and brain tissue from native white suckers (Catostomus commersoni)were collected upstream and atpoints progressively downstream from...
Authors
M.M. Schultz, Edward Furlong, Dana Kolpin, Stephen Werner, H.L. Schoenfuss, Larry Barber, Vicki S. Blazer, D.O. Norris, A.M. Vajda
Author's response to "If poultry's to blame, Where's the proof?" Author's response to "If poultry's to blame, Where's the proof?"
No abstract available.
Authors
J.L. Ripley, C. Foran, Luke Iwanowicz, Vicki S. Blazer
Assessment of the "fish tumors or other deformities" beneficial use impairment in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus): I. Orocutaneous tumors Assessment of the "fish tumors or other deformities" beneficial use impairment in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus): I. Orocutaneous tumors
The "fish tumor or other deformities" beneficial use impairment (BUI) occurs at 9 of the 12 areas of concern (AOC) on Lake Erie. As point sources are mitigated and remediation occurs, AOC are faced with determining delisting criteria. The lack of standardized analyses for this BUI has confounded that process. For orocutaneous tumors, different criteria (presumptive tumors and/or abnormal...
Authors
V. S. Blazer, S.D. Rafferty, P.C. Baumman, S.B. Smith, E.C. Obert
Reproductive health of bass in the potomac, USA, drainage: Part 1. exploring the effects of proximity to wastewater treatment plant discharge Reproductive health of bass in the potomac, USA, drainage: Part 1. exploring the effects of proximity to wastewater treatment plant discharge
Intersex (specifically, testicular oocytes) has been observed in male smallmouth bass (SMB; Micropterus dolomieu) and other centrarchids in the South Branch of the Potomac River, USA, and forks of the Shenandoah River, USA, during the past five years. This condition often is associated with exposure to estrogenic endocrine‐disrupting chemicals in some fish species, but such chemicals and...
Authors
L. R. Iwanowicz, V. S. Blazer, C.P. Guy, A.E. Pinkney, J.E. Mullcan, D.A. Alvarezw
Histopathology of repeated, intermittent exposure of chloramine-T to walleye (Sander vitreum) and (Ictalurus punctalus) channel catfish Histopathology of repeated, intermittent exposure of chloramine-T to walleye (Sander vitreum) and (Ictalurus punctalus) channel catfish
Chloramine-T (Cl-T) has been used safely and effectively to control bacterial gill disease in salmonids at a maximum exposure regimen of up to four consecutive, once-daily exposures administered for 60??min at 20??mg/L. However, data to document safe treatment concentrations of Cl-T are lacking for freshwater-reared fish other than salmonids. We report the histopathology resultant from...
Authors
M.P. Gaikowski, Christine Densmore, V. S. Blazer
Reproductive health of bass in the potomac, USA, drainage: Part 2. Seasonal occurrence of persistent and emerging organic contaminants Reproductive health of bass in the potomac, USA, drainage: Part 2. Seasonal occurrence of persistent and emerging organic contaminants
The seasonal occurrence of organic contaminants, many of which are potential endocrine disruptors, entering the Potomac River, USA, watershed was investigated using a two-pronged approach during the fall of 2005 and spring of 2006. Passive samplers (semipermeable membrane device and polar organic chemical integrative sampler [POCIS]) were deployed in tandem at sites above and below...
Authors
D.A. Alvarez, W.L. Cranor, S.D. Perkins, V.L. Schroeder, L. R. Iwanowicz, R.C. Clark, C.P. Guy, A.E. Pinkney, V. S. Blazer, J.E. Mullican
Filter Total Items: 13
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 22
Filter Total Items: 19
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 194
Histologic, immunologic and endocrine biomarkers indicate contaminant effects in fishes of the Ashtabula River Histologic, immunologic and endocrine biomarkers indicate contaminant effects in fishes of the Ashtabula River
The use of fish as sentinels of aquatic ecosystem health is a biologically relevant approach to environmental monitoring and assessment. We examined the health of the Ashtabula River using histologic, immunologic, and endocrine biomarkers in brown bullhead (BB; Ameiurus nebulosus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and compared fish collected from a reference site (Conneaut...
Authors
L. R. Iwanowicz, V. S. Blazer, N.P. Hitt, S. D. McCormick, D.S. Devault, C. A. Ottinger
On the need for a national (US) research program to elucidate the potential risks to human health and the environment posed by contaminants of emerging concern On the need for a national (US) research program to elucidate the potential risks to human health and the environment posed by contaminants of emerging concern
No abstract available.
Authors
P.J. Novak, William A. Arnold, V. S. Blazer, R.U. Halden, R.D. Klaper, D.W. Kolpin, D. Kriebel, N.G. Love, D. Martinovic-Weigelt, H.B. Patisaul, S.A. Snyder, F. vom Saal, A.V. Weisbrod
An overview of estrogen-associated endocrine disruption in fishes: Evidence of effects on reproductive and immune physiology An overview of estrogen-associated endocrine disruption in fishes: Evidence of effects on reproductive and immune physiology
Simply and perhaps intuitively defined, endocrine disruption is the abnormal modulation of normal hormonal physiology by exogenous chemicals. In fish, endocrine disruption of the reproductive system has been observed worldwide in numerous species and is known to affect both males and females. Observations of biologically relevant endocrine disruption most commonly occurs near waste water...
Authors
Luke Iwanowicz, Vicki S. Blazer
Endocrine active chemicals and endocrine disruption in Minnesota streams and lakes: Implications for aquatic resources, 1994-2008 Endocrine active chemicals and endocrine disruption in Minnesota streams and lakes: Implications for aquatic resources, 1994-2008
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with St. Cloud State University, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, and the University of Minnesota, has conducted field monitoring studies and laboratory research to determine the presence of endocrine active chemicals and...
Authors
Kathy Lee, Heiko Schoenfuss, Larry Barber, Jeff Writer, Vicki Blazer, Richard Keisling, Mark Ferrey
Steroid determination in fish plasma using capillary electrophoresis Steroid determination in fish plasma using capillary electrophoresis
A capillary separation method that incorporates pH-mediated stacking is employed for the simultaneous determination of circulating steroid hormones in plasma from Perca flavescens (yellow perch) collected from natural aquatic environments. The method can be applied to separate eight steroid standards: progesterone, 17α,20β-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone...
Authors
L. Bykova, S. Archer-Hartmann, L.A. Holland, Luke Iwanowicz, Vicki S. Blazer
Mortality of centrarchid fishes in the Potomac drainage: Survey results and overview of potential contributing factors Mortality of centrarchid fishes in the Potomac drainage: Survey results and overview of potential contributing factors
Skin lesions and spring mortality events of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu and selected other species were first noted in the South Branch of the Potomac River in 2002. Since that year morbidity and mortality have also been observed in the Shenandoah and Monocacy rivers. Despite much research, no single pathogen, parasite, or chemical cause for the lesions and mortality has been...
Authors
Vicki Blazer, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Clifford Starliper, Steven Zaugg, Mark Burkhardt, P. Barbash, J.D. Hedrick, S.J. Reeser, J.E. Mullican, J. Kelble
Antidepressant pharmaceuticals in two U.S. effluent-impacted streams: Occurrence and fate in water and sediment and selective uptake in fish neural tissue Antidepressant pharmaceuticals in two U.S. effluent-impacted streams: Occurrence and fate in water and sediment and selective uptake in fish neural tissue
Antidepressant pharmaceuticals are widely prescribed in the United States; release of municipal wastewater effluent is a primary route introducing them to aquatic environments, where little is known about their distribution and fate. Water, bed sediment, and brain tissue from native white suckers (Catostomus commersoni)were collected upstream and atpoints progressively downstream from...
Authors
M.M. Schultz, Edward Furlong, Dana Kolpin, Stephen Werner, H.L. Schoenfuss, Larry Barber, Vicki S. Blazer, D.O. Norris, A.M. Vajda
Author's response to "If poultry's to blame, Where's the proof?" Author's response to "If poultry's to blame, Where's the proof?"
No abstract available.
Authors
J.L. Ripley, C. Foran, Luke Iwanowicz, Vicki S. Blazer
Assessment of the "fish tumors or other deformities" beneficial use impairment in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus): I. Orocutaneous tumors Assessment of the "fish tumors or other deformities" beneficial use impairment in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus): I. Orocutaneous tumors
The "fish tumor or other deformities" beneficial use impairment (BUI) occurs at 9 of the 12 areas of concern (AOC) on Lake Erie. As point sources are mitigated and remediation occurs, AOC are faced with determining delisting criteria. The lack of standardized analyses for this BUI has confounded that process. For orocutaneous tumors, different criteria (presumptive tumors and/or abnormal...
Authors
V. S. Blazer, S.D. Rafferty, P.C. Baumman, S.B. Smith, E.C. Obert
Reproductive health of bass in the potomac, USA, drainage: Part 1. exploring the effects of proximity to wastewater treatment plant discharge Reproductive health of bass in the potomac, USA, drainage: Part 1. exploring the effects of proximity to wastewater treatment plant discharge
Intersex (specifically, testicular oocytes) has been observed in male smallmouth bass (SMB; Micropterus dolomieu) and other centrarchids in the South Branch of the Potomac River, USA, and forks of the Shenandoah River, USA, during the past five years. This condition often is associated with exposure to estrogenic endocrine‐disrupting chemicals in some fish species, but such chemicals and...
Authors
L. R. Iwanowicz, V. S. Blazer, C.P. Guy, A.E. Pinkney, J.E. Mullcan, D.A. Alvarezw
Histopathology of repeated, intermittent exposure of chloramine-T to walleye (Sander vitreum) and (Ictalurus punctalus) channel catfish Histopathology of repeated, intermittent exposure of chloramine-T to walleye (Sander vitreum) and (Ictalurus punctalus) channel catfish
Chloramine-T (Cl-T) has been used safely and effectively to control bacterial gill disease in salmonids at a maximum exposure regimen of up to four consecutive, once-daily exposures administered for 60??min at 20??mg/L. However, data to document safe treatment concentrations of Cl-T are lacking for freshwater-reared fish other than salmonids. We report the histopathology resultant from...
Authors
M.P. Gaikowski, Christine Densmore, V. S. Blazer
Reproductive health of bass in the potomac, USA, drainage: Part 2. Seasonal occurrence of persistent and emerging organic contaminants Reproductive health of bass in the potomac, USA, drainage: Part 2. Seasonal occurrence of persistent and emerging organic contaminants
The seasonal occurrence of organic contaminants, many of which are potential endocrine disruptors, entering the Potomac River, USA, watershed was investigated using a two-pronged approach during the fall of 2005 and spring of 2006. Passive samplers (semipermeable membrane device and polar organic chemical integrative sampler [POCIS]) were deployed in tandem at sites above and below...
Authors
D.A. Alvarez, W.L. Cranor, S.D. Perkins, V.L. Schroeder, L. R. Iwanowicz, R.C. Clark, C.P. Guy, A.E. Pinkney, V. S. Blazer, J.E. Mullican
Filter Total Items: 13
*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