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
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Aroclor 1248 exposure leads to immunomodulation, decreased disease resistance and endocrine disruption in the brown bullhead, Ameiurus nebulosus Aroclor 1248 exposure leads to immunomodulation, decreased disease resistance and endocrine disruption in the brown bullhead, Ameiurus nebulosus
The brown bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus is a species of the family Ictaluridae commonly used as a sentinel of environmental contamination. While these fish have been utilized for this purpose in areas contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), few controlled, laboratory-based studies have been designed to document the effects of PCB mixtures in this species. Here, brown bullhead...
Authors
L. R. Iwanowicz, V. S. Blazer, S. D. McCormick, P.A. Van Veld, C. A. Ottinger
A historical perspective on the "fish tumors or other deformities" beneficial use impairment at Great Lakes Areas of Concern A historical perspective on the "fish tumors or other deformities" beneficial use impairment at Great Lakes Areas of Concern
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement defines Areas of Concern as geographic areas that fail to meet the general or specific objectives of the agreement where such failure has caused or is likely to cause impairment of beneficial use of the area's ability to support aquatic life. One of the beneficial use impairments, fish tumors or other deformities, is defined by the International...
Authors
S.D. Rafferty, V. S. Blazer, A.E. Pinkney, J.L. Grazio, E.C. Obert, L. Boughton
Widespread occurrence of intersex in black basses (Micropterus spp.) from U.S. rivers, 1995-2004 Widespread occurrence of intersex in black basses (Micropterus spp.) from U.S. rivers, 1995-2004
Intersex occurrence in freshwater fishes was evaluated for nine river basins in the United States. Testicular oocytes (predominantly male testes containing female germ cells) were the most pervasive form of intersex observed, even though similar numbers of male (n = 1477) and female (n = 1633) fish were examined. Intersex was found in 3% of the fish collected. The intersex condition was...
Authors
J.E. Hinck, V. S. Blazer, C. J. Schmitt, D. M. Papoulias, D. E. Tillitt
Assessment of the "fish tumors or other deformities" beneficial use impairment in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus): II. Liver neoplasia Assessment of the "fish tumors or other deformities" beneficial use impairment in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus): II. Liver neoplasia
Liver pathology of fishes, including neoplastic and preneoplastic lesions, is widely used as an indicator of exposure to anthropogenic contaminants. By definition, the "fish tumor or other deformities" beneficial use impairment (BUI) at Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC) includes neoplastic and preneoplastic liver lesions in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) or suckers. Unfortunately...
Authors
V. S. Blazer, S.D. Rafferty, P.C. Baumman, S.B. Smith, E.C. Obert
Prevalence of tumors in brown bullhead from three lakes in southeastern Massachusetts, 2002 Prevalence of tumors in brown bullhead from three lakes in southeastern Massachusetts, 2002
The Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) has been a military base on western Cape Cod since the early 1900s. Contaminated surface water and ground water from the MMR have discharged into several kettle lakes on or near the base. To discover whether the prevalences of tumors and other lesions in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) in these lakes, particularly Ashumet Pond, were...
Authors
Paul C. Baumann, Denis R. LeBlanc, Vicki Blazer, John R. Meier, Stephen T. Hurley, Yasu Kiryu
Chemical contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarker responses in fish from rivers in the Southeastern United States Chemical contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarker responses in fish from rivers in the Southeastern United States
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were collected from 13 sites located in the Mobile (MRB), Apalachicola–Flint–Chattahoochee (ARB), Savannah (SRB), and Pee Dee (PRB) River Basins to document spatial trends in accumulative chemical contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers. Organochlorine residues, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p...
Authors
J.E. Hinck, V. S. Blazer, N. D. Denslow, K. R. Echols, R.W. Gale, C. Wieser, T.W. May, M. Ellersieck, J.J. Coyle, D. E. Tillitt
Morphology and 18S rDNA of Henneguya gurlei (Myxosporea) from Ameiurus nebulosus (Siluriformes) in North Carolina Morphology and 18S rDNA of Henneguya gurlei (Myxosporea) from Ameiurus nebulosus (Siluriformes) in North Carolina
Henneguya gurlei was isolated from Ameiurus nebulosus captured in North Carolina and redescribed using critical morphological features and 18S small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rDNA) gene sequence. Plasmodia are white, spherical, or subspherical, occur in clusters, measure up to 1.8 mm in length, and are located on the dorsal, pectoral, and anal fins. Histologically, plasmodia are located...
Authors
L. R. Iwanowicz, D.D. Iwanowicz, L.M. Pote, V. S. Blazer, W. B. Schill
Utilization of protein expression profiles as indicators of environmental impairment of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from the Shenandoah River, Virginia, USA Utilization of protein expression profiles as indicators of environmental impairment of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from the Shenandoah River, Virginia, USA
The Shenandoah River (VA, USA), the largest tributary of the Potomac River (MD, USA) and an important source of drinking water, has been the site of extensive fish kills since 2004. Previous investigations indicate environmental stressors may be adversely modulating the immune system of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) and other species. Anterior kidney (AK) tissue, the major site...
Authors
J. Ripley, L. Iwanowicz, V. Blazer, C. Foran
Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Program: Environmental contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers in fish from the Mobile, Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint, Savannah, and Pee Dee River Basins Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Program: Environmental contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers in fish from the Mobile, Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint, Savannah, and Pee Dee River Basins
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were collected from 13 sites in 4 river basins in the southeastern United States to document spatial trends in accumulative contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers. Organochlorine residues, 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-like activity (TCDD-EQ), and elemental contaminants were measured in...
Authors
Jo Ellen Hinck, Vicki Blazer, Nancy D. Denslow, Kathy R. Echols, Robert W. Gale, Tom W. May, Rachael Claunch, Carla Wieser, Patrick J. Anderson, James J. Coyle, Timothy S. Gross, Donald E. Tillitt
Intersex (Testicular Oocytes) in smallmouth bass from the Potomac River and selected nearby drainages Intersex (Testicular Oocytes) in smallmouth bass from the Potomac River and selected nearby drainages
Intersex, or the presence of characteristics of both sexes, in fishes that are normally gonochoristic has been used as an indicator of exposure to estrogenic compounds. In 2003, during health assessments conducted in response to kills and a high prevalence of skin lesions observed in smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu in the South Branch of the Potomac River, the presence of immature...
Authors
Vicki S. Blazer, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Deborah D. Iwanowicz, David R. Smith, John A. Young, J.D. Hedrick, S.W. Foster, S.J. Reeser
Chemical contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarker responses in fish from the Colorado River and its tributaries Chemical contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarker responses in fish from the Colorado River and its tributaries
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), black bass (Micropterus spp.), and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were collected from 14 sites in the Colorado River Basin (CRB) to document spatial trends in accumulative contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers. Organochlorine residues, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-like activity (TCDD-EQ), and elemental contaminants were...
Authors
J.E. Hinck, V. S. Blazer, N. D. Denslow, K. R. Echols, T. S. Gross, T.W. May, P.J. Anderson, J.J. Coyle, D. E. Tillitt
Synthesis of U.S. Geological Survey science for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and implications for environmental management Synthesis of U.S. Geological Survey science for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and implications for environmental management
The purpose of this report is to present a synthesis of the USGS Chesapeake Bay science related to the 2001-06 goals and provide implications for environmental management. The report provides USGS findings that address the science needs of the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) restoration goals and includes summaries of 1. land-use change; 2. water quality in the watershed, including...
Authors
Scott W. Ator, Vicki S. Blazer, John W. Brakebill, Donald R. Cahoon, Peter R. Claggett, Thomas M. Cronin, Judith M. Denver, Christine L. Densmore, Allen C. Gellis, Cliff R. Hupp, Jurate M. Landwehr, Michael J. Langland, Christopher A. Ottinger, Milan J. Pavich, Matthew C. Perry, Scott W. Phillips, Stephen D. Preston, Jeff P. Raffensperger, Barnett A. Rattner, Nancy B. Rybicki, Debra A. Willard
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Science and Products
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No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 194
Aroclor 1248 exposure leads to immunomodulation, decreased disease resistance and endocrine disruption in the brown bullhead, Ameiurus nebulosus Aroclor 1248 exposure leads to immunomodulation, decreased disease resistance and endocrine disruption in the brown bullhead, Ameiurus nebulosus
The brown bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus is a species of the family Ictaluridae commonly used as a sentinel of environmental contamination. While these fish have been utilized for this purpose in areas contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), few controlled, laboratory-based studies have been designed to document the effects of PCB mixtures in this species. Here, brown bullhead...
Authors
L. R. Iwanowicz, V. S. Blazer, S. D. McCormick, P.A. Van Veld, C. A. Ottinger
A historical perspective on the "fish tumors or other deformities" beneficial use impairment at Great Lakes Areas of Concern A historical perspective on the "fish tumors or other deformities" beneficial use impairment at Great Lakes Areas of Concern
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement defines Areas of Concern as geographic areas that fail to meet the general or specific objectives of the agreement where such failure has caused or is likely to cause impairment of beneficial use of the area's ability to support aquatic life. One of the beneficial use impairments, fish tumors or other deformities, is defined by the International...
Authors
S.D. Rafferty, V. S. Blazer, A.E. Pinkney, J.L. Grazio, E.C. Obert, L. Boughton
Widespread occurrence of intersex in black basses (Micropterus spp.) from U.S. rivers, 1995-2004 Widespread occurrence of intersex in black basses (Micropterus spp.) from U.S. rivers, 1995-2004
Intersex occurrence in freshwater fishes was evaluated for nine river basins in the United States. Testicular oocytes (predominantly male testes containing female germ cells) were the most pervasive form of intersex observed, even though similar numbers of male (n = 1477) and female (n = 1633) fish were examined. Intersex was found in 3% of the fish collected. The intersex condition was...
Authors
J.E. Hinck, V. S. Blazer, C. J. Schmitt, D. M. Papoulias, D. E. Tillitt
Assessment of the "fish tumors or other deformities" beneficial use impairment in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus): II. Liver neoplasia Assessment of the "fish tumors or other deformities" beneficial use impairment in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus): II. Liver neoplasia
Liver pathology of fishes, including neoplastic and preneoplastic lesions, is widely used as an indicator of exposure to anthropogenic contaminants. By definition, the "fish tumor or other deformities" beneficial use impairment (BUI) at Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC) includes neoplastic and preneoplastic liver lesions in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) or suckers. Unfortunately...
Authors
V. S. Blazer, S.D. Rafferty, P.C. Baumman, S.B. Smith, E.C. Obert
Prevalence of tumors in brown bullhead from three lakes in southeastern Massachusetts, 2002 Prevalence of tumors in brown bullhead from three lakes in southeastern Massachusetts, 2002
The Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) has been a military base on western Cape Cod since the early 1900s. Contaminated surface water and ground water from the MMR have discharged into several kettle lakes on or near the base. To discover whether the prevalences of tumors and other lesions in brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) in these lakes, particularly Ashumet Pond, were...
Authors
Paul C. Baumann, Denis R. LeBlanc, Vicki Blazer, John R. Meier, Stephen T. Hurley, Yasu Kiryu
Chemical contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarker responses in fish from rivers in the Southeastern United States Chemical contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarker responses in fish from rivers in the Southeastern United States
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were collected from 13 sites located in the Mobile (MRB), Apalachicola–Flint–Chattahoochee (ARB), Savannah (SRB), and Pee Dee (PRB) River Basins to document spatial trends in accumulative chemical contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers. Organochlorine residues, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p...
Authors
J.E. Hinck, V. S. Blazer, N. D. Denslow, K. R. Echols, R.W. Gale, C. Wieser, T.W. May, M. Ellersieck, J.J. Coyle, D. E. Tillitt
Morphology and 18S rDNA of Henneguya gurlei (Myxosporea) from Ameiurus nebulosus (Siluriformes) in North Carolina Morphology and 18S rDNA of Henneguya gurlei (Myxosporea) from Ameiurus nebulosus (Siluriformes) in North Carolina
Henneguya gurlei was isolated from Ameiurus nebulosus captured in North Carolina and redescribed using critical morphological features and 18S small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rDNA) gene sequence. Plasmodia are white, spherical, or subspherical, occur in clusters, measure up to 1.8 mm in length, and are located on the dorsal, pectoral, and anal fins. Histologically, plasmodia are located...
Authors
L. R. Iwanowicz, D.D. Iwanowicz, L.M. Pote, V. S. Blazer, W. B. Schill
Utilization of protein expression profiles as indicators of environmental impairment of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from the Shenandoah River, Virginia, USA Utilization of protein expression profiles as indicators of environmental impairment of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from the Shenandoah River, Virginia, USA
The Shenandoah River (VA, USA), the largest tributary of the Potomac River (MD, USA) and an important source of drinking water, has been the site of extensive fish kills since 2004. Previous investigations indicate environmental stressors may be adversely modulating the immune system of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) and other species. Anterior kidney (AK) tissue, the major site...
Authors
J. Ripley, L. Iwanowicz, V. Blazer, C. Foran
Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Program: Environmental contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers in fish from the Mobile, Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint, Savannah, and Pee Dee River Basins Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) Program: Environmental contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers in fish from the Mobile, Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint, Savannah, and Pee Dee River Basins
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were collected from 13 sites in 4 river basins in the southeastern United States to document spatial trends in accumulative contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers. Organochlorine residues, 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-like activity (TCDD-EQ), and elemental contaminants were measured in...
Authors
Jo Ellen Hinck, Vicki Blazer, Nancy D. Denslow, Kathy R. Echols, Robert W. Gale, Tom W. May, Rachael Claunch, Carla Wieser, Patrick J. Anderson, James J. Coyle, Timothy S. Gross, Donald E. Tillitt
Intersex (Testicular Oocytes) in smallmouth bass from the Potomac River and selected nearby drainages Intersex (Testicular Oocytes) in smallmouth bass from the Potomac River and selected nearby drainages
Intersex, or the presence of characteristics of both sexes, in fishes that are normally gonochoristic has been used as an indicator of exposure to estrogenic compounds. In 2003, during health assessments conducted in response to kills and a high prevalence of skin lesions observed in smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu in the South Branch of the Potomac River, the presence of immature...
Authors
Vicki S. Blazer, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Deborah D. Iwanowicz, David R. Smith, John A. Young, J.D. Hedrick, S.W. Foster, S.J. Reeser
Chemical contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarker responses in fish from the Colorado River and its tributaries Chemical contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarker responses in fish from the Colorado River and its tributaries
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), black bass (Micropterus spp.), and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were collected from 14 sites in the Colorado River Basin (CRB) to document spatial trends in accumulative contaminants, health indicators, and reproductive biomarkers. Organochlorine residues, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-like activity (TCDD-EQ), and elemental contaminants were...
Authors
J.E. Hinck, V. S. Blazer, N. D. Denslow, K. R. Echols, T. S. Gross, T.W. May, P.J. Anderson, J.J. Coyle, D. E. Tillitt
Synthesis of U.S. Geological Survey science for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and implications for environmental management Synthesis of U.S. Geological Survey science for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and implications for environmental management
The purpose of this report is to present a synthesis of the USGS Chesapeake Bay science related to the 2001-06 goals and provide implications for environmental management. The report provides USGS findings that address the science needs of the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) restoration goals and includes summaries of 1. land-use change; 2. water quality in the watershed, including...
Authors
Scott W. Ator, Vicki S. Blazer, John W. Brakebill, Donald R. Cahoon, Peter R. Claggett, Thomas M. Cronin, Judith M. Denver, Christine L. Densmore, Allen C. Gellis, Cliff R. Hupp, Jurate M. Landwehr, Michael J. Langland, Christopher A. Ottinger, Milan J. Pavich, Matthew C. Perry, Scott W. Phillips, Stephen D. Preston, Jeff P. Raffensperger, Barnett A. Rattner, Nancy B. Rybicki, Debra A. Willard
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