James Winton, Ph.D.
Jim works with scientists, technicians, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students and visiting scientists working to improve methods for the detection of fish pathogens, determine factors affecting the epidemiology of fish diseases, and develop novel control strategies for reducing losses among both hatchery-reared and wild fish.
Research Interests
Infectious diseases of fish, fish cell and tissue culture, molecular taxonomy and epidemiology of fish pathogens, ecology of fish diseases in wild populations.
Mentorship/Outreach
- 1995 to Present - Professor (Affiliate Faculty), University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA
- 1983-1986 - Assistant Professor, Oregon State University, Department of Microbiology, Corvallis, OR
Professional Experience
2017 to Present - Senior Scientists, Emeritus
1996-2017 - Chief, Fish Health Section, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
1995 to Present - Professor (Affiliate Faculty), University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA
1986-1996 - Project Leader, Infectious Diseases of Fish. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
1983-1986 - Assistant Professor, Oregon State University, Department of Microbiology, Corvallis, OR
1984 to Present - Canadian Fish Health Official - International shipments of salmonid fish and gametes
1981 to Present - U.S. Title 50 Inspector - International shipments of salmonid fish and gametes
2010 - Pacific Salmon Commission - Invited expert to panel investigating Fraser River sockeye declines
1991-2000 - Office International des Epizooties (OIE), Paris - Elected to Fish Diseases Commission
1990-2003 - American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) - Animal Virus Advisory Group
1988-2000 - International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) - Reovirus Study Group
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1981. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
B.A. 1967. University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Society for Microbiology
American Fisheries Society
European Association of Fish Pathologists
Japanese Society of Fish Pathologists
Wildlife Disease Association
Honors and Awards
2015 - Senior Scientist – U.S. Geological Survey
2006 - Department of Interior Distinguished Service Award
2000 - American Fisheries Society Fish Health Section S. F. Snieszko Distinguished Service Award
1999 - Department of Interior Meritorious Service Award
Science and Products
Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus in North America
Neutralization-resistant variants of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus have altered virulence and tissue tropism
The genetic diversity and epizootiology of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
Association of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus with epizootic hemorrhages of the skin in Pacific herring Clupea harengus pallasi from Prince William Sound and Kodiak Island, Alaska, USA
Involvement of rainbow trout leucocytes in the pathogenesis of infectious hematopoietic necrosis
Application of DNA technology to the detection and identification of two rhabdoviruses of Pacific salmon
Genetic comparison of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus isolates from North America and Europe
Determination of buoyant density and sensitivity to chloroform and freon for the etiological agent of infectious salmonid anaemia
Survival in pond water of four reoviruses isolated from aquatic animals
Isolates of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus from North America and Europe can be detected and distinguished by DNA probes
Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the gene coding for the 57kDa soluble antigen of the salmonid fish pathogen Renibacterium salmoninarum
Identification of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus isolated from Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus in Prince William Sound Alaska, USA
Science and Products
Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus in North America
Neutralization-resistant variants of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus have altered virulence and tissue tropism
The genetic diversity and epizootiology of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
Association of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus with epizootic hemorrhages of the skin in Pacific herring Clupea harengus pallasi from Prince William Sound and Kodiak Island, Alaska, USA
Involvement of rainbow trout leucocytes in the pathogenesis of infectious hematopoietic necrosis
Application of DNA technology to the detection and identification of two rhabdoviruses of Pacific salmon
Genetic comparison of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus isolates from North America and Europe
Determination of buoyant density and sensitivity to chloroform and freon for the etiological agent of infectious salmonid anaemia
Survival in pond water of four reoviruses isolated from aquatic animals
Isolates of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus from North America and Europe can be detected and distinguished by DNA probes
Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the gene coding for the 57kDa soluble antigen of the salmonid fish pathogen Renibacterium salmoninarum
Identification of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus isolated from Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus in Prince William Sound Alaska, USA
*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