Jeffrey M Lorch
Jeff Lorch is a Microbiologist at the National Wildlife Health Center.
He received bachelor degrees in Bacteriology and Wildlife Ecology and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Environmental Toxicology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Since joining the USGS, Dr. Lorch has devoted his career to investigating and diagnosing wildlife mortality events and studying emerging wildlife diseases. Presently, his work focuses on disease ecology and management of bat white-nose syndrome and snake fungal disease, surveillance for Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (the fungus that causes salamander chytridiomycosis), and development of molecular methods for detection of wildlife pathogens.
Professional Experience
2015 – Present, Microbiologist, National Wildlife Health Center
2012 – 2015, Research Associate, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2012
B.S. Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2005
B.S. Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2005
Affiliations and Memberships*
2015 – Present, Honorary Associate, Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Science and Products
The future of fungi: Threats and opportunities
Avian-associated Aspergillus fumigatus displays broad phylogenetic distribution, no evidence for host specificity, and multiple genotypes within epizootic events
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium from wild birds in the United States represent distinct lineages defined by bird type
Low occurrence of multi-antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance in Salmonella enterica from wild birds in the United States
Comparative genomics analyses support the reclassification of Bisgaard taxon 40 as Mergibacter gen. nov., with Mergibacter septicus sp. nov. as type species: Novel insights into the phylogeny and virulence factors of a Pasteurellaceae family member associ
Koch’s postulates: Confirming Nannizziopsis guarroi as the cause of yellow fungal disease in Pogona vitticeps
Mycobiome traits associated with disease tolerance predict many western North American bat species will be susceptible to white-nose syndrome
Confirmed cases of Ophidiomycosis in museum specimens from the USA as early as 1945, United States
Soil reservoir dynamics of ophidiomyces ophidiicola, the causative agent of snake fungal disease
Analysis of archival specimens confirms White-nose syndrome in little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) from New York, USA, in spring 2007
Laboratory maintenance and culture of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes bat white-nose syndrome
Skin fungal assemblages of bats vary based on susceptibility to white-nose syndrome
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
The future of fungi: Threats and opportunities
Avian-associated Aspergillus fumigatus displays broad phylogenetic distribution, no evidence for host specificity, and multiple genotypes within epizootic events
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium from wild birds in the United States represent distinct lineages defined by bird type
Low occurrence of multi-antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance in Salmonella enterica from wild birds in the United States
Comparative genomics analyses support the reclassification of Bisgaard taxon 40 as Mergibacter gen. nov., with Mergibacter septicus sp. nov. as type species: Novel insights into the phylogeny and virulence factors of a Pasteurellaceae family member associ
Koch’s postulates: Confirming Nannizziopsis guarroi as the cause of yellow fungal disease in Pogona vitticeps
Mycobiome traits associated with disease tolerance predict many western North American bat species will be susceptible to white-nose syndrome
Confirmed cases of Ophidiomycosis in museum specimens from the USA as early as 1945, United States
Soil reservoir dynamics of ophidiomyces ophidiicola, the causative agent of snake fungal disease
Analysis of archival specimens confirms White-nose syndrome in little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) from New York, USA, in spring 2007
Laboratory maintenance and culture of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes bat white-nose syndrome
Skin fungal assemblages of bats vary based on susceptibility to white-nose syndrome
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*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