The scientist designs and implements state of the art procedures of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics, genetics, immunology, bacteriology, parasitology and virology. Overall responsibilities are for all phases of the research cycle including 1) the design of studies relevant to the mission of USGS and supportive of DOI Bureau needs; 2) the garnering of funding from in-house sources and competitive grants; 3) the development and validation of techniques; 4) experimental data collection; and 5) the dissemination of the results via the preparation and submission of progress and evaluation reports, scientific papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at scientific meetings, or other appropriate means.

Professional Experience

1979 - Present. USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center in Kearneysville, WV

Education and Certifications

B.S. Chemistry 1971 Shepherd College Shepherdstown, WV
B.S. Biology 1979 Shepherd College Shepherdstown, WV

Affiliations and Memberships*

American Society for Microbiology
American Chemical Society
National Shellfisheries Association
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

Honors and Awards

2003, Journal of Aquatic Animal Health Best Paper Award 2003
1998, American Fisheries Society Most Significant Paper Award
1996, U.S. Dept. of Interior On-the-Spot Award
1983, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Achievement Award

Science and Products

Publications
Science
Data
Multimedia

Filter Total Items: 19

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March 9, 2023

A meta-analysis of the stony coral tissue loss disease microbiome finds key bacteria in unaffected and lesion tissue in diseased colonies

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has been causing significant whole colony mortality on reefs in Florida and the Caribbean. The cause of SCTLD remains unknown, with the limited concurrence of SCTLD-associated bacteria among studies. We conducted a meta-analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene datasets generated by 16 field and laboratory SCTLD studies to find consistent bacteria associated with S

Authors

Stephanie M. Rosales, Lindsay K. Huebner, James S. Evans, Amy Apprill, Andew C. Baker, Anthony J. Bellantuono, Marilyn E. Brandt, Abigail S. Clark, Javier del Campo, Caroline E. Dennison, Katherine R. Eaton, Naomi E. Huntley, Christina A. Kellogg, Monica Medina, Julie L. Meyer, Erinn M. Muller, Mauricio Rodriguez-Lanetty, Jennifer L. Salerno, W. Bane Schill, Erin N. Shilling, Julia Marie Stewart, Joshua D. Voss

Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

August 4, 2022

Freshwater unionid mussels threatened by predation of Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus)

Indigenous freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are integral to riverine ecosystems, playing a pivotal role in aquatic food webs and providing ecological services. With populations on the decline worldwide, freshwater mussels are of conservation concern. In this study, we explore the propensity of the invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) fish to prey upon indigenous freshwater mussels. First, we

Authors

Kyle Clark, Deborah D. Iwanowicz, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Sara Mueller, Joshua Wisor, Casey Bradshaw-Wilson, W. Bane Schill, Jay R. Stauffer, Elizabeth W. Boyer

Eastern Ecological Science Center

July 1, 2022

Rapid implementation of high-frequency wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2

There have been over 507 million cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulting in 6 million deaths globally. Wastewater surveillance has emerged as a valuable tool in understanding SARS-CoV-2 burden in communities. The National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) partnered with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to im

Authors

Meghan M. Holst, John Person, Wiley Jennings, Rory M. Welsh, Michael J. Focazio, Paul M. Bradley, W. Bane Schill, Amy E. Kirby, Zachary A. Marsh

Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

August 23, 2021

Novel microbiome dominated by Arcobacter during anoxic excurrent flow from an ocean blue hole in Andros Island, The Bahamas

Andros Island, The Bahamas, composed of porous carbonate rock, has about 175 inland blue holes and over 50 known submerged ocean caves along its eastern barrier reef. These ocean blue holes can have both vertical and horizontal zones that penetrate under the island. Tidal forces drive water flow in and out of these caves. King Kong Cavern has a vertical collapse zone and a deep penetration under A

Authors

Deborah D. Iwanowicz, Robert B Jonas, William B. Schill, Kay Marano-Briggs

Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

May 29, 2020

Capture of environmental DNA (eDNA) from water samples by flocculation

The analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) has become a widely used approach to problem solving in species management. The detection of cryptic species including invasive and (or) species at risk is the goal, typically accomplished by testing water and sediment for the presence of characteristic DNA signatures. Reliable and efficient procedures for the capture of eDNA are required, especially those

Authors

W. Bane Schill

Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

August 20, 2019

Molecular identification of fecal contamination in the Elks Run Watershed, Jefferson County, West Virginia, 2016–17

The U.S. Geological Survey conducted a study using modern methods of molecular analysis aimed at attempting to identify the source(s) of fecal contamination that had been identified in previous studies conducted by the West Virginia Conservation Agency in the Elk Run watershed, Jefferson County, West Virginia. Water samples from multiple sites showing elevated fecal coliform counts were analyzed u

Authors

W. Bane Schill, Deborah D. Iwanowicz

Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

April 4, 2019

Detecting the undetectable: Characterization, optimization, and validation of an eDNA detection assay for the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon (Bivalvia: Unionoida)

Environmental (e)DNA assays are valuable tools for monitoring presence and distribution of cryptic species. Like many freshwater mussels, the dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon numbers have dwindled and its range has diminished. As of its listing in 1993, only 10 to 20 locations were known to persist of the 70 Atlantic slope locations known historically. A qPCR assay to detect the presence

Authors

W. Bane Schill, Heather S. Galbraith

Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

March 28, 2019

Establishing molecular methods to quantitatively profile gastric diet items of fish—Application to the invasive blue catfish (ictalurus furcatus)

Understanding the diet of invasive species helps researchers to more accurately assess the health, survivorship, growth, and stability of an invasive fish species, as well as their effects on native populations. Techniques capable of identifying multiple prey species from fish stomach contents have been developed. In this study, a multi-locus metabarcoding approach was used to identify fish and in

Authors

Deborah D. Iwanowicz, W. Bane Schill, Lakyn R. Sanders, Tim Groves, Mary C. Groves

Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities

October 25, 2018

The complete maternal mitochondrial genome sequences of two imperiled North American freshwater mussels: Alasmidonta heterodon and Alasmidonta varicosa (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Unionidae)

The freshwater mussels Alasmidonta heterodon and A. varicosa historically inhabited rivers along the North American Atlantic coast from the Carolinas, U.S.A., to New Brunswick, CA. However, many populations have been extirpated, and A. heterodon is now federally listed in the U.S.A. as endangered, and both A. heterodon and A. varicosa are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. To facilitate ge

Authors

Aaron Aunins, Cheryl L. Morrison, Heather Galbraith, Michael S. Eackles, W. Bane Schill, Tim L. King

Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

October 24, 2017

Endozoicomonas dominates the gill and intestinal content microbiomes of Mytilus edulis from Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, Linnaeus 1758 from southern Barnegat Bay, New Jersey were examined to determine the make-up of the normal blue mussel microbiome. Sequencing of 16S ribosomal DNA amplicons from gill and intestinal content microbiomes using the Illumina® MiSeq platform yielded 1,276,161 paired end sequence reads from the gill libraries and 1,092,333 paired end sequence reads from the

Authors

William B. Schill, Deborah D. Iwanowicz, Cynthia R. Adams

Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

February 28, 2017

Potential concerns with analytical Methods Used for the detection of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans from archived DNA of amphibian swab samples, Oregon, USA

Taxonomic identification of pollen has historically been accomplished via light microscopy but requires specialized knowledge and reference collections, particularly when identification to lower taxonomic levels is necessary. Recently, next-generation sequencing technology has been used as a cost-effective alternative for identifying bee-collected pollen; however, this novel approach has not been

Authors

Deborah D. Iwanowicz, William B. Schill, Deanna H. Olson, M. J. Adams, Christine L. Densmore, Robert S. Cornman, Cynthia R. Adams, Chester Figiel, Chauncey W. Anderson, Andrew R Blaustein, Tara Chestnut

Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center

October 26, 2015

Strategy to evaluate persistent contaminant hazards resulting from sea-level rise and storm-derived disturbances—Study design and methodology for station prioritization

Coastal communities are uniquely vulnerable to sea-level rise (SLR) and severe storms such as hurricanes. These events enhance the dispersion and concentration of natural and anthropogenic chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms that could adversely affect the health and resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in coming years. The U.S. Geological Survey has developed a strategy to define

Authors

Timothy J. Reilly, Daniel Jones, Michael J. Focazio, Kimberly C. Aquino, Chelsea L. Carbo, Erika E. Kaufhold, Elizabeth K. Zinecker, William Benzel, Shawn C. Fisher, Dale W. Griffin, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Keith A. Loftin, William B. Schill

Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

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W. Bane Schill

Professional Experience

Education and Certifications

Affiliations and Memberships*

Honors and Awards

Science and Products

Novel approach using flocculation to concentrate edna to search for early invasions of specific aquatic invasive species

Developing and testing eDNA markers for the Federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon and other key freshwater mussel species

Development of Deployable Multispectral Sensors for Monitoring

Molecular tools and methodologies

Science and Products

Novel approach using flocculation to concentrate edna to search for early invasions of specific aquatic invasive species

Developing and testing eDNA markers for the Federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon and other key freshwater mussel species

Development of Deployable Multispectral Sensors for Monitoring

Molecular tools and methodologies