National Wildlife Health Center

...advancing wildlife and ecosystem health for a better tomorrow

Image of Chris Franson

J. Christian Franson

Title: Research Wildlife Biologist, Field & Lab Research
Phone: (608) 270-2444
Email: cfranson@usgs.gov

Education and/or Training

B.S. 1970 Iowa State University Fisheries and Wildlife Biology
M.S. 1972 Iowa State University Animal Ecology
DVM 1979 Iowa State University Veterinary Medicine

Areas of specialization and or research interests

Wildlife toxicology and health

Current USGS Research and Projects

Avian influenza viruses in wild birds in Alaska and the Pacific Flyway
Experimental characterization of avian influenza pathogenicity
Current lead shot ingestion rates in waterfowl
Contaminants and diseases in arctic waterfowl
West Nile virus and other avian pathogens in greater sage-grouse
West Nile virus in waterfowl

Professional Experience

1995 – Present U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center Research Wildlife Biologist, Field & Lab Research
1988 – 1995 Supervisory Laboratory Diagnostician, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin
1984 – 1998 Leader, Resource Health Team. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin
1979 – 1984 Research Veterinarian. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patuxant Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland

Professional Activities and/or Memberships

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Wildlife Disease Association
The Waterbird Society

Selected Publications

FRANSON, J.C., D.J. Hoffman, A. Wells-Berlin, M. C. Perry, V. SHEARN-BOCHSLER, D. L.FINLEY, P.L. Flint, and T. Hollmen. Effects of dietary selenium on tissue concentrations, pathology, oxidative stress, and immune function in common eiders (Somateria mollissima). 2007 Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 70(10):861 -864.

FRANSON, J.C., T.E. Hollman, P.L. Flint, J.B. Grand, and R.B. Lanctot. Contaminants in molting long-tailed ducks and nesting common eiders in the Beaufort Sea. 2004 Marine Pollution Bulletin 48:504-513.

FRANSON, J.C., S.P. HANSEN, T.E. CREEKMORE, C.J. BRAND, D.C. Evers, A.E. Duerr, and S. DeStefano. Lead fishing weights and other fishing tackle in selected waterbirds. 2003 Waterbirds 26(3):345-352.

FRANSON, J.C., D.J. Hoffman, and J.A. Schmutz. Blood selenium concentrations and enzyme activities related to glutathione metabolism in wild emperor geese. 2002 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 21(10):2179-2184.

FRANSON, J.C., T. HOLLMEN, M. Hario, M. Kilpi, and D.L. FINLEY. Lead and deltaaminolevulinic acid dehydratase in blood of common eiders (Somateria mollissima) from the Finnish archipelago. 2002 Ornis Fennica 79:87-91.

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