Our Research

Research in our group is focused on the health of aquatic organisms.
Through use of molecular techniques and classic pathology, we seek to understand the aetiology of disease in the aquatic environment. Clinical and sub-clinical disease can negatively impact a plethora of factors key to population survival and success. Our research therefore seeks to improve not only understanding of disease diagnostics and control, but also monitoring and regulation of important fisheries stocks. 
We study both infectious and non-infectious challenges to animal health, with a focus on the biological consequences in fish.

Our research group collaborates with researchers, state and federal agencies in America and beyond. 
We are always open to new collaborations.
Research should be collaborative, and we are not threatened by colleagues with overlapping expertise. Instead, we are excited to work together towards our shared goals of improved understanding of aquatic animal health and disease.

We are a university-based research group and as such, we have a strong focus on education and support for early career students and scientists with an interest in the field of aquatic animal health. If you choose to join our group, we will value your experience and insight, support your growth and celebrate your success, however you personally define that.

Pathology of teleost disease

Necropsy, clinical pathology and microscopic imaging are key tools in surveillance and diagnosis of aquatic animal disease. Expertise within the fish health & pathology group allows us to perform detailed veterinary investigations of the macroscopic and microscopic changes associated with teleost disease. Cellular changes and description of the pathology associated with both infectious and non-infectious challenges to the health of important commercial and subsistence fish in Alaska are of particular interest to our research.

Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (myxozoan parasite and causative agent of Proliferative Kidney Disease) in H&E stained salmonid kidney tissue section (X400 magnification). Clinton et al, 2021.

Host response to environmental challenge

Through use of molecular techniques, our research seeks to understand the host response to stressors for altered health status in fish. A great deal is still to be learnt regarding the immunology and physiology of many aquatic animals, particularly invertebrates. Our group is therefore interested in exploring the transition from 'healthy' to 'diseased' host state through use of techniques exploring transcriptomic response and altered resident microbial community structure. 

A current research focus within the group is the impact of algal and cnidarian organisms on fish health, and how non-infectious stressors such as these can impact incidence of infectious disease in aquatic animals. We work closely with wild stock managers, aquaculture producers and local communities because aquatic animal health consequences do not occur in a vacuum. Animal health, environmental health and human health are closely intertwined. Our research seeks to involve all stakeholds in understanding the complexities of environmental change (including climate change) on aquatic animal health. 

Clinical Diagnostics

Mixed gill pathology in Pacific salmon, including bacterial growth and presence of parasitic Trichodina spp. (X200 magnification, unpublished).

As a group within the Veterinary Department of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, our research also focuses on improved health and welfare of aquatic animals, particularly those species cultured in Alaska. Application of a veterinary skillset for improved infectious disease surveillance and diagnosis is an important goal of this group. We also seek to improve baseline understanding of many of the previously understudied species of aquatic animals present in abundance within the marine and freshwater aquatic environments of Alaska. 

Aspiring veterinarians and fish health professionals can also work with this group (either taking classes or assisting in research) to learn important clinical and diagnostic skills in care of aquatic animals.