Disease is a natural part of healthy marine ecosystems; however, the number and severity of marine diseases is increasing and has been linked to climate warming and other anthropogenic factors. We often have a poor understanding of causative agents and infection dynamics. This baseline information is critical to assess synergisms between human drivers and disease outbreaks, and ultimately better manage disease outbreaks. Disease-associated mass mortality outbreaks have the capacity to alter both natural and aquaculture-based systems. I will emphasize two host-pathogen systems: Ostreid herpesvirus 1 infections in Pacific oysters and virus-associated mortalities (candidate: Densovirus) of sea stars from sea star wasting disease (SSWD). I will discuss aspects of each host-pathogen relationship including pathogen discovery, diagnostics, and spread, as well as host immune response and physiology.

Dr. Colleen Burge studies marine host-pathogen-environment interactions focusing on disease ecology, organismal physiology and immunology, as well as development of disease diagnostics. She is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County. She studied Aquatic & Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington (BS, PhD) and held postdoctoral positions at Cornell University and the University of Washington.

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