Maureen K Purcell, Ph.D.
I have been a scientist with the USGS since 2005. I was a microbiologist and then the Fish Health Section Chief at the Western Fisheries Research Center, and am now the Deputy Center Director of the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center.
Prior to joining FRESC's management team, I led a team of 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.
Professional Experience
2022 - Present: Deputy Center Director, U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR
2017 - 2022: Chief, Fish Health Section, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
2014 - Present: Affiliate Associate Professor, Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2008 - 2016: Research Microbiologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
2005 - 2008: Microbiologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
1999 - 2000: Contractor, NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fishery Science Center, Seattle, WA
1997 - 1999: Professional Research Assistant, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2005. Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
M.S. 1997. Zoology, University of Maine, Orono, ME
B.S. 1993. Zoology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Fisheries Society - Fish Health Section
European Association of Fish Pathologists
Associate Editor - Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
Editorial Board - Fish and Shellfish Immunology
Editorial Board - Journal of Virological Methods
Honors and Awards
2016 - Presidential Early Career Service Award for Scientists and Engineers
2012 - U.S. Geological Survey, Western States Diversity Award group award to Fish Health Section
2012 - American Fisheries Society, Most significant paper in Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
2009 - U.S. Geological Survey, Best Professional Paper in Biology by a New Scientist
2008 - American Fisheries Society, Most significant paper in Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
2004 - Faculty Merit Award, U.W. School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences
Science and Products
Observations and first reports of saprolegniosis in Aanaakłiq, broad whitefish (Coregonus nasus), from the Colville River near Nuiqsut, Alaska
Transmission routes maintaining a viral pathogen of steelhead trout within a complex multi-host assemblage
Detection of Nanophyetus salmincola in water, snails, and fish tissues by quantitative polymerase chain reaction
Influence of temperature on the efficacy of homologous and heterologous DNA vaccines against viral hemorrhagic septicemia in Pacific Herring
Analytical validation of a reverse transcriptase droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) for quantitative detection of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
Optimization of a Plaque Neutralization Test (PNT) to identify the exposure history of Pacific Herring to viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV)
Molecular characterization of a novel orthomyxovirus from rainbow and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Detecting Renibacterium salmoninarum in wild brown trout by use of multiple organ samples and diagnostic methods
Inhibition of an aquatic rhabdovirus demonstrates promise of a broad-spectrum antiviral for use in aquaculture
Herring Disease Program – Herring Disease Program II
Susceptibility of ocean- and stream-type Chinook salmon to isolates of the L, U, and M genogroups of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV)
Science to support aquatic animal health
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
Observations and first reports of saprolegniosis in Aanaakłiq, broad whitefish (Coregonus nasus), from the Colville River near Nuiqsut, Alaska
Transmission routes maintaining a viral pathogen of steelhead trout within a complex multi-host assemblage
Detection of Nanophyetus salmincola in water, snails, and fish tissues by quantitative polymerase chain reaction
Influence of temperature on the efficacy of homologous and heterologous DNA vaccines against viral hemorrhagic septicemia in Pacific Herring
Analytical validation of a reverse transcriptase droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) for quantitative detection of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
Optimization of a Plaque Neutralization Test (PNT) to identify the exposure history of Pacific Herring to viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV)
Molecular characterization of a novel orthomyxovirus from rainbow and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Detecting Renibacterium salmoninarum in wild brown trout by use of multiple organ samples and diagnostic methods
Inhibition of an aquatic rhabdovirus demonstrates promise of a broad-spectrum antiviral for use in aquaculture
Herring Disease Program – Herring Disease Program II
Susceptibility of ocean- and stream-type Chinook salmon to isolates of the L, U, and M genogroups of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV)
Science to support aquatic animal health
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