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
Filter Total Items: 14
Filter Total Items: 86
Host specificity and ecology of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in Pacific salmonids
Some circumstances IHNV infection can cause acute disease with mortality ranging from 5-90% in host populations. Genetic typing of IHNV field isolates has shown that three major genetic groups of the virus occur in North America. These groups are designated the U, M, and L virus genogroups because they occur in the upper, middle, and lower portions of the geographic range of IHNV in...
Authors
Gael Kurath, A. Garver, M. K. Purcell, Ma. Penaranda, Rudakova
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of aquatic animal pathogens in a diagnostic laboratory setting
Real-time, or quantitative, polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is quickly supplanting other molecular methods for detecting the nucleic acids of human and other animal pathogens owing to the speed and robustness of the technology. As the aquatic animal health community moves toward implementing national diagnostic testing schemes, it will need to evaluate how qPCR technology should be...
Authors
Maureen K. Purcell, Rodman G. Getchell, Carol A. McClure, S.E. Weber, Kyle A. Garver
Comparative evaluation of molecular diagnostic tests for Nucleospora salmonis and prevalence in migrating juvenile salmonids from the Snake River, USA
Nucleospora salmonis is an intranuclear microsporidian that primarily infects lymphoblast cells and contributes to chronic lymphoblastosis and a leukemia-like condition in a range of salmonid species. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of N. salmonis in out-migrating juvenile hatchery and wild Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and steelhead O. mykiss from...
Authors
Samantha Badil, Diane G. Elliott, Tomofumi Kurobe, Ronald P. Hedrick, Kathy Clemens, Marilyn Blair, Maureen K. Purcell
Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region reveals a novel clade of Ichthyophonus sp. from rainbow trout
The mesomycetozoean parasite Ichthyophonus hoferi is most commonly associated with marine fish hosts but also occurs in some components of the freshwater rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss aquaculture industry in Idaho, USA. It is not certain how the parasite was introduced into rainbow trout culture, but it might have been associated with the historical practice of feeding raw, ground...
Authors
C. Rasmussen, M. K. Purcell, J.L. Gregg, S. E. LaPatra, J. R. Winton, P.K. Hershberger
Amplification and transport of an endemic fish disease by an introduced species
The introduction of American shad from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast of North America in the late 1800’s and the subsequent population expansion in the 1980’s resulted in the amplification of Ichthyophonus sp., a Mesomycetozoean parasite of wild marine fishes. Sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA gene complex (small subunit and internal transcribed spacer regions) and Ichthyophonus...
Authors
Paul Hershberger, Bjorn Leeuw, Gregg Jacob, Courtney Grady, Kenneth Lujan, Susan Gutenberger, Maureen K. Purcell, James Woodson, James Winton, Michael Parsley
Transcriptome analysis of rainbow trout infected with high and low virulence strains of Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
There are three main genetic lineages or genogroups of Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in N. America. Strains representing the M genogroup are more virulent in rainbow trout relative to the U genogroup. In this study, we used microarray analysis to evaluate potential mechanisms responsible for host-specific virulence in rainbow trout that were given intraperitoneal...
Authors
Maureen K. Purcell, Inderjit Singh Marjara, William Batts, Gael Kurath, John D. Hansen
Pathological and immunological responses associated with differential survival of Chinook salmon following Renibacterium salmoninarum challenge
Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha are highly susceptible to Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD). Previously we demonstrated that introduced Chinook salmon from Lake Michigan, Wisconsin (WI), USA, have higher survival following R. salmoninarum challenge relative to the progenitor stock from Green River, Washington, USA. In the present...
Authors
David C. Metzger, Diane G. Elliott, Andrew Wargo, Linda K. Park, Maureen K. Purcell
Early viral replication and induced or constitutive immunity in rainbow trout families with differential resistance to Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV)
The main objective of this study was to assess correlates of innate resistance in rainbow trout full-sibling families that differ in susceptibility to Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV). As part of a commercial breeding program, full-sibling families were challenged with IHNV by waterborne exposure at the 1 g size to determine susceptibility to IHNV. Progeny from select...
Authors
M. K. Purcell, S. E. LaPatra, J.C. Woodson, Gael Kurath, J. R. Winton
Identification, characterization and genetic mapping of TLR7, TLR8a1 and TLR8a2 genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Induction of the innate immune pathways is critical for early anti-viral defense but there is limited understanding of how teleost fish recognize viral molecules and activate these pathways. In mammals, Toll-like receptors (TLR) 7 and 8 bind single-stranded RNA of viral origin and are activated by synthetic anti-viral imidazoquinoline compounds. Herein, we identify and describe the...
Authors
Yniv Palti, Scott A. Gahr, Maureen K. Purcell, Sima Hadidi, Caird E. Rexroad, Gregory A. Wiens
Differential growth of U and M type infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus in a rainbow trout–derived cell line, RTG-2
Infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is one of the most important viral pathogens of salmonids. In rainbow trout, IHNV isolates in the M genogroup are highly pathogenic, while U genogroup isolates are significantly less pathogenic. We show here that, at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1, a representative U type strain yielded 42‐fold less infectious virus than an M type...
Authors
Jeong Woo Park, Chang Hoon Moon, Andrew Wargo, Maureen K. Purcell, Gael Kurath
Resistance and Protective Immunity in Redfish Lake Sockeye Salmon Exposed to M Type Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHNV)
Differential virulence of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) isolates from the U and M phylogenetic subgroups is clearly evident in the Redfish Lake (RFL) strain of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka. In these fish, experimental immersion challenges with U isolates cause extremely high mortality and M isolates cause low or no mortality. When survivors of M virus immersion...
Authors
Gael Kurath, Kyle Garver, Maureen K. Purcell, Scott E. LaPatra
Infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus genogroup-specific virulence mechanisms in sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum), from Redfish Lake, Idaho
Characterization of infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) field isolates from North America has established three main genogroups (U, M and L) that differ in host-specific virulence. In sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, the U genogroup is highly virulent, whereas the M genogroup is nearly non-pathogenic. In this study, we sought to characterize the virus-host dynamics that...
Authors
M. K. Purcell, K.A. Garver, C. Conway, D.G. Elliott, Gael Kurath
Non-USGS Publications**
Purcell, M., G. Mackey, E. LaHood, H. Huber, and L. Park. 2004. Molecular methods for the genetic identification of salmonid prey from Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi ) scat. Fish. Bull. 1002: 213-220.
Lage, C., M. Purcell, M. Forgarty, and I. Kornfield. 2001. Microsatellite evaluation of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) stocks in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 58: 982-990. DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-58-5-982.
Purcell, M.K., J-L. Mu, D.C. Higgins, R. Elango, H. Whitmore, S. Harris, and B. Paigen. 2001. Fine mapping of Ath6, a quantitative trait locus for atherosclerosis in mice. Mammalian Genome 12(7): 495-500. DOI: 10.1007/s00335001-0006-9.
Purcell, M.K., I.L. Kornfield, M.J. Fogarty and A. Parker. (1996) Interdecadal heterogeneity of mitochondrial DNA in Atlantic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) from Georges Bank. Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology. 5:185-192.
**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
Filter Total Items: 14
Filter Total Items: 86
Host specificity and ecology of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in Pacific salmonids
Some circumstances IHNV infection can cause acute disease with mortality ranging from 5-90% in host populations. Genetic typing of IHNV field isolates has shown that three major genetic groups of the virus occur in North America. These groups are designated the U, M, and L virus genogroups because they occur in the upper, middle, and lower portions of the geographic range of IHNV in...
Authors
Gael Kurath, A. Garver, M. K. Purcell, Ma. Penaranda, Rudakova
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of aquatic animal pathogens in a diagnostic laboratory setting
Real-time, or quantitative, polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is quickly supplanting other molecular methods for detecting the nucleic acids of human and other animal pathogens owing to the speed and robustness of the technology. As the aquatic animal health community moves toward implementing national diagnostic testing schemes, it will need to evaluate how qPCR technology should be...
Authors
Maureen K. Purcell, Rodman G. Getchell, Carol A. McClure, S.E. Weber, Kyle A. Garver
Comparative evaluation of molecular diagnostic tests for Nucleospora salmonis and prevalence in migrating juvenile salmonids from the Snake River, USA
Nucleospora salmonis is an intranuclear microsporidian that primarily infects lymphoblast cells and contributes to chronic lymphoblastosis and a leukemia-like condition in a range of salmonid species. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of N. salmonis in out-migrating juvenile hatchery and wild Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and steelhead O. mykiss from...
Authors
Samantha Badil, Diane G. Elliott, Tomofumi Kurobe, Ronald P. Hedrick, Kathy Clemens, Marilyn Blair, Maureen K. Purcell
Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region reveals a novel clade of Ichthyophonus sp. from rainbow trout
The mesomycetozoean parasite Ichthyophonus hoferi is most commonly associated with marine fish hosts but also occurs in some components of the freshwater rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss aquaculture industry in Idaho, USA. It is not certain how the parasite was introduced into rainbow trout culture, but it might have been associated with the historical practice of feeding raw, ground...
Authors
C. Rasmussen, M. K. Purcell, J.L. Gregg, S. E. LaPatra, J. R. Winton, P.K. Hershberger
Amplification and transport of an endemic fish disease by an introduced species
The introduction of American shad from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast of North America in the late 1800’s and the subsequent population expansion in the 1980’s resulted in the amplification of Ichthyophonus sp., a Mesomycetozoean parasite of wild marine fishes. Sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA gene complex (small subunit and internal transcribed spacer regions) and Ichthyophonus...
Authors
Paul Hershberger, Bjorn Leeuw, Gregg Jacob, Courtney Grady, Kenneth Lujan, Susan Gutenberger, Maureen K. Purcell, James Woodson, James Winton, Michael Parsley
Transcriptome analysis of rainbow trout infected with high and low virulence strains of Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
There are three main genetic lineages or genogroups of Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in N. America. Strains representing the M genogroup are more virulent in rainbow trout relative to the U genogroup. In this study, we used microarray analysis to evaluate potential mechanisms responsible for host-specific virulence in rainbow trout that were given intraperitoneal...
Authors
Maureen K. Purcell, Inderjit Singh Marjara, William Batts, Gael Kurath, John D. Hansen
Pathological and immunological responses associated with differential survival of Chinook salmon following Renibacterium salmoninarum challenge
Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha are highly susceptible to Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD). Previously we demonstrated that introduced Chinook salmon from Lake Michigan, Wisconsin (WI), USA, have higher survival following R. salmoninarum challenge relative to the progenitor stock from Green River, Washington, USA. In the present...
Authors
David C. Metzger, Diane G. Elliott, Andrew Wargo, Linda K. Park, Maureen K. Purcell
Early viral replication and induced or constitutive immunity in rainbow trout families with differential resistance to Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV)
The main objective of this study was to assess correlates of innate resistance in rainbow trout full-sibling families that differ in susceptibility to Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV). As part of a commercial breeding program, full-sibling families were challenged with IHNV by waterborne exposure at the 1 g size to determine susceptibility to IHNV. Progeny from select...
Authors
M. K. Purcell, S. E. LaPatra, J.C. Woodson, Gael Kurath, J. R. Winton
Identification, characterization and genetic mapping of TLR7, TLR8a1 and TLR8a2 genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Induction of the innate immune pathways is critical for early anti-viral defense but there is limited understanding of how teleost fish recognize viral molecules and activate these pathways. In mammals, Toll-like receptors (TLR) 7 and 8 bind single-stranded RNA of viral origin and are activated by synthetic anti-viral imidazoquinoline compounds. Herein, we identify and describe the...
Authors
Yniv Palti, Scott A. Gahr, Maureen K. Purcell, Sima Hadidi, Caird E. Rexroad, Gregory A. Wiens
Differential growth of U and M type infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus in a rainbow trout–derived cell line, RTG-2
Infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is one of the most important viral pathogens of salmonids. In rainbow trout, IHNV isolates in the M genogroup are highly pathogenic, while U genogroup isolates are significantly less pathogenic. We show here that, at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1, a representative U type strain yielded 42‐fold less infectious virus than an M type...
Authors
Jeong Woo Park, Chang Hoon Moon, Andrew Wargo, Maureen K. Purcell, Gael Kurath
Resistance and Protective Immunity in Redfish Lake Sockeye Salmon Exposed to M Type Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHNV)
Differential virulence of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) isolates from the U and M phylogenetic subgroups is clearly evident in the Redfish Lake (RFL) strain of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka. In these fish, experimental immersion challenges with U isolates cause extremely high mortality and M isolates cause low or no mortality. When survivors of M virus immersion...
Authors
Gael Kurath, Kyle Garver, Maureen K. Purcell, Scott E. LaPatra
Infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus genogroup-specific virulence mechanisms in sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum), from Redfish Lake, Idaho
Characterization of infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) field isolates from North America has established three main genogroups (U, M and L) that differ in host-specific virulence. In sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, the U genogroup is highly virulent, whereas the M genogroup is nearly non-pathogenic. In this study, we sought to characterize the virus-host dynamics that...
Authors
M. K. Purcell, K.A. Garver, C. Conway, D.G. Elliott, Gael Kurath
Non-USGS Publications**
Purcell, M., G. Mackey, E. LaHood, H. Huber, and L. Park. 2004. Molecular methods for the genetic identification of salmonid prey from Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi ) scat. Fish. Bull. 1002: 213-220.
Lage, C., M. Purcell, M. Forgarty, and I. Kornfield. 2001. Microsatellite evaluation of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) stocks in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 58: 982-990. DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-58-5-982.
Purcell, M.K., J-L. Mu, D.C. Higgins, R. Elango, H. Whitmore, S. Harris, and B. Paigen. 2001. Fine mapping of Ath6, a quantitative trait locus for atherosclerosis in mice. Mammalian Genome 12(7): 495-500. DOI: 10.1007/s00335001-0006-9.
Purcell, M.K., I.L. Kornfield, M.J. Fogarty and A. Parker. (1996) Interdecadal heterogeneity of mitochondrial DNA in Atlantic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) from Georges Bank. Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology. 5:185-192.
**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