Paul R. Bowser - Cornell Veterinary Medicine

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.

Dr. Bowser was the recipient of the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Faculty Service in 2007. In 2008 Dr. Bowser received the S. F. Snieszko Distinguished Service Award from the Fish Health Section of the American Fisheries Society, which is a career achievement award for his contributions and service to the field of aquatic animal medicine.

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

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

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

Groocock, G.H., R.G. Getchell, G.A. Wooster, K.L. Britt, J.R. Winton, R.N. Casey, J.W. Casey and P.R. Bowser. (2007). Detection of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia in round gobies in New York State (USA) waters of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 76:187-192.

Bartlett, S.L., G.A.Wooster, M.S. Sokolowski, A.D.M.Dove and P.R.Bowser. (2008). Naturally-occurring bacteremia in American lobsters, Homarus americanus Milne- Edwards, in the Long Island Sound. Journal of Fish Diseases. 31:19-25.

Getchell, R.G., G.H. Groocock, V.L. Kirsipuu, S.G. Grimmett, G.A. Wooster, and P.R. Bowser. (2007). Quantitative PCR Assay Used to Measure Largemouth Bass Virus Titers. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 19:226-233.

Groocock, G.H., S.G. Grimmett, R.G. Getchell, G.A. Wooster, and P.R. Bowser. (2008). A survey to determine the presence and distribution of largemouth bass virus in wild freshwater bass in New York State. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 20:158-164.

Kosoff, R.E., C.-Y. Chen, G. A. Wooster, R. G. Getchell, A. Clifford, J.L., Craig, P. Lim, S.E. Wetzlich and A. L. Craigmill, L.A. Tell and P. R. Bowser. (2009). Florfenicol Residues in Three Species of Fish After 10-day Oral Dosing in Feed. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 21:8-13.

Bowser, P.R., R. E. Kosoff, C.-Y. Chen, G. A. Wooster, and R. G. Getchell, J.L. Craig, P.Lim, S.E. Wetzlich and A. L. Craigmill and L.A. Tell. (2009). Florfenicol Residues in Nile Tilapia After 10-day Oral Dosing in Feed: Effect of Fish Size. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 21:14-17.