Cornell Veterinary Medicine Cornell University




 Paul R. Bowser

 

Professor of Aquatic Animal Medicine

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
C5185 Veterinary Medical Center
E-mail: prb4@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-253-4029


PhD (Auburn University)

 


Dr. Bowser is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and has been associated with the department since 1995 (previously an associate professor in the Department of Avian and Aquatic Animal Medicine, 1985-1995). He also served as an aquatic animal health specialist on the faculty of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University (1980-85) and with the Aquaculture Program of the University of California, Davis (1978-80). He received the MS degree from Iowa State University in 1972. He then received his PhD from Auburn University in 1978 . He has obtained continuous funding (USDA, NY Sea Grant, etc.) throughtout his career to study diseases of fishes and strategies for fish health management.


 Research Interests / Graduate Fields / Lab Members / Related Links / Selected References

Research Interests

General interests include infectious and non-infectious diseases of fishes and strategies for fish health management. Our recent major research efforts have been in the following areas:

Retroviral-Caused tumors in Fish. In a collaborative effort with the Laboratory of Dr. James Casey, we have studied the pathogenesis of walleye dermal sarcoma retrovirus, two viruses associated with walleye discrete epidermal hyperplasia, and the Atlantic salmon swim bladder sarcoma virus. Within these efforts, we have been trying to understand the mechanisms by which these tumors and tumor viruses show a seasonality in their pathogenesis.

Therapeutants for Cultured Food Fishes. The commercial aquaculture industry suffers from very limited access to FDA approved therapeutants for controlling diseases in the production environment. Our laboratory is part of the NRSP7 – Minor Use Animal Drug Program. This program is a joint USDA/FDA/University/Industry effort to address the critical needs for safe and effective compounds for health management in minor species food and fiber animals. Much of our recent efforts have been in comparative pharmacokinetic studies in different species of fish of candidate antibacterials with promise for use in aquaculture. Our ultimate goal is to develop data that will support a species grouping concept for aquaculture species. The current regulatory environment for approval of a therapeutant requires that all work be performed in the species for which the drug label is being sought. A species grouping concept would greatly reduce the cost of obtaining labels for the variety of fish cultured in the US.

Diagnostic Investigations. Our laboratory operates the Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, a service laboratory providing disease diagnostic assistance to the aquaculture community, research community and fish hobbyist in New York State. We also assist the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in investigations of fish kills in wild fish populations in the state. Many times these diagnostic investigations lead to more in-depth research investigations in fish health issues.

Walleye (Sander vitreus) with walleye dermal sarcoma
Walleye (Sander vitreus) with walleye dermal sarcoma
Grass carp (Ctenophayngodon idella) with spinal deformity
Grass carp (Ctenophayngodon idella) with spinal deformity
Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fluvescens) diagnostic case submission from the Niagara River
Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fluvescens) diagnostic case submission from the Niagara River


Graduate Fields

Dr. Bower is a member of the following Graduate Fields:

Comparative Biomedical Sciences
Environmental Toxicology


Lab Members

Dr. Rodman G. Getchell, Research Associate
Dr. Geoffrey H. Groocock, Extension Associate
Gregory A. Wooster, Research Support Specialist
Steven A. Frattini, Veterinary Student
Katherine "Holly" Kohler, Veterinary Student


Related Links

Aquatic Animal Health Program

AQUAVET Program

Marine Disease and Pathology & Research Consortium at SUNY Stony Brook

 

Selected References

Dove, A.D.M, M.S. Sokolowski, S.L. Bartlett and P.R. Bowser. (2005). Spatio-temporal variation in serum chemistry of the lobster, Homarus americanus Milne-Edwards. J. Fish Diseases 28:663-675.

Paul, T.A., S.L. Quackenbush, C. Sutton, R.N. Casey, P.R. Bowser, and J.W. Casey. (2006). Identification and Characterization of an exogenous retrovirus from Atlantic salmon swim bladder sarcoma. J. Virology 80:2941-2948.

Perez-Fuentetaja, A., M.D. Clapsadl, D. Einhouse, P.R. Bowser, R.G. Getchell and W.T. Lee. (2006). Influence of limnological conditions on Clostridium botulinum Type E presence in Eastern Lake Erie Sediments (Great Lakes, USA). Hydrobiologia 563:189-200.

Grimmett, S.G., J.V. Warg, R.G. Getchell, D.J. Johnson and P.R. Bowser. (2006). An unsusual koi herpesvirus associated with a mortality event of common carp Cyprinus carpio in New York State, USA. J. Wildlife Diseases 42:658-662.

Topic-Popovic, N. J.G. Babish and P.R. Bowser. (2006). Observational study of hepatic cytochrome P-450 protein expression and activity in summer flounder (Paralichtys dentatus) following combination ormetoprim-sulfadimetoxine treatment. Chemotherapy 53:313-315.

Meseck, E.K., T.W. French, S.G. Grimmett, S.L. Bartlett, G.A. Wooster, R.G. Getchell, and P.R. Bowser. (2007). Gross and microscopic pathology of large cavernous lesions found in muscle of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from Lake Ontario. J. Wildlife Diseases 43:111-115.

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Last Revised on October 22, 2007

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