USDA-ARS-NCCCWA

11861 Leetown Road

Kearneysville, WV 25430

Voice: (304) 724-8340 x3189

Professional Biographical Information:

B.A. in Biology (1983), Occidental College, CA

Ph.D. in Microbiology (1992), Oregon State University, OR

Research Immunologist (2003-present); USDA-ARS, 

National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Leetown, WV.

CV-PDF

Research Rationale and Focus:

The demand for seafood is increasing worldwide while there is new restriction on capture fisheries harvest.  To meet increasing consumer demand, U.S. aquaculture producers require improved efficiencies and sustainable practices while maintaining and improving product quality.  Currently, endemic and emerging disease limit cool and cold water aquaculture production.  Major knowledge gaps exist regarding host resistance and the co-evolution of pathogen virulence, and the impact of environmental change leading to disease. Given the complexity and multidisciplinary nature of these problems, I work in collaboration with other scientists focusing on host resistance mechanisms, microbial genomics, and analysis of host-pathogen interactions within an evolutionary-based framework. 

Current research topics and publications:

1. Immune gene identification and evolution

            Glenney and Wiens

                Wiens et al.

2. Utilizing selective breeding to understand and increase disease resistance

                Hadidi et al.