Past Research Projects
The primary scope of OWCN's Research and Technology Development program is focused on improving the understanding of how oil affects wildlife species and how best to minimize problems associated with exposure to these products. In the past 7 years, the OWCN has awarded funds for 50 grants totaling over $1.5 million.
The OWCN believes that in order to obtain best achievable care for oiled wildlife, it is necessary to encourage research that addresses the areas of improvement of oil spill wildlife rehabilitation and the adverse impacts on the environment and public health.
Here are some projects that have been funded in the past:
2007-2008 |
|
| Jennifer Arnold Pennsylvania State University |
Sub-lethal impacts of oil exposure: examining corticosterone stress response for oil exposed birds |
| Barbara Byrne UC Davis |
Pathogenesis of Streptococcus infantarius subspecies coli valvular endocarditis in sea otters (Year 2) |
| Frances Gulland The Marine Mammal Center |
Transcriptional profiling of whole blood and serum analysis for biomarker development to assess exposure and disease states in California sea lions |
| John Incardona NOAA |
Long-term cardiovascular impacts of embryonic oil exposure |
| Kirk Klasing UC Davis |
Evaluation of the relationship between seabird innate immunity, captivity, and aspergillosis |
| Christine Kreuder-Johnson UC Davis |
Serological screening for cardiomyopathy in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) |
| James Lovvorn University of Wyoming |
Developing captive husbandry for Cassin’s Auklets and measuring their costs of foraging in spill-prone areas |
2006-2007 |
|
| Barbara Byrne UC Davis |
Pathogenesis of Streptococcus infantarious subspecies coli Valvular Endocarditis in Sea Otters |
| Donald Croll UC Santa Cruz |
At-sea Mortality Patterns of Monterey Bay Seabirds |
| Joseph Gaydos UC Davis |
Reducing Transport Stress and Developing a Surgical Technique for Implanting Satellite Transmitters in Western Grebes |
| James Lovvorn University of Wyoming |
Developing captive husbandry for Cassin’s Auklets and Measuring their Costs of Foraging in Spill-prone Areas (Year 2) |
| J. Gregory Massey UC Davis |
The Ecology of Aspergillosis in Seabirds: Bridging the Gap Between Environment and Disease Via Molecular Genotyping |
| Lisa Tell UC Davis |
Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Voriconazole in Adult Mallard Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) |
| Ronald Tjeerdema UC Davis |
Acute and Chronic Effects of Crude and Dispersed Oil on the Pre-Smolt Stage of Chinook Salmon (Year 2) |
| 2005-2006 | |
| Andrea Fascetti UC Davis |
Determination of Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in Wild and Captive Sea Otters |
| John Incardona NOAA, Northwest Fisheries Science Center |
Mechanisms of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Toxicity in Fish at Early Life History Stages |
| Karl Mayer Monterey Bay Aquarium |
Long-Term Survival, Behavior and Reproductive Success of Stranded Southern Sea Otter Pups Reared for Release with a Surrogate Mother |
| Jonna Mazet UC Davis |
Health Assessment of Free-Ranging Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in Monterey Bay, California |
| Woutrina Miller UC Davis |
Effect of Rehabilitation on Pelagic Bird Fecal Microbial Communities and Shedding of Salmonella spp |
| Ron Tjeerdema UC Davis |
Acute and Chronic Effects of Crude Oil and Dispersed Oil on Chinook Salmon Smolts (Year 3) |
| Ron Tjeerdema UC Davis |
Acute and Chronic Effects of Crude and Dispersed Oil on the Pre-Smolt Stage of Chinook Salmon |
| Michael Ziccardi and J. Gregory Massey UC Davis |
The Ecology of Aspergillosis in Seabirds: Evaluation and Validation of Available Diagnostic Tests |
2004-2005 |
|
| Mark Colwell Humboldt State University |
Assessing patterns of shorebird roost site fidelity with radio-marked dunlins (Calidris alpina) |
| Mark Colwell Humboldt State University |
Spatial Ecology of a marked population of the Western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) Publication: COLWELL, M. A., C. B. MILLETT, J. J. MEYER, J. N. HALL, S. J. HURLEY, S. E. McALLISTER, A. N. TRANSOU, and R. R. LeVALLEY. 2005. Snowy Plover reproductive success in beach and river habitats. Journal Field Ornithology 76:373-382. |
| Verena Gill US Fish & Wildlife Service |
Prevalence of infectious disease as a cause of mortality in northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in Alaska |
| James Harvey Moss Landing Marine Laboratories |
Wings under waves: Diving behavior and time-activity budgets of provisioning Cassin’s auklets nesting in the Channel Islands, California |
| John Incardona NOAA, Northwest Fisheries Science Center |
Mechanisms of petroleum hydrocabon toxicity in fish at early life history stages |
| Shawn Johnson Alaska SeaLife Center |
Evaluation of an automated hemoglobinometer in seabirds |
| James Lovvorn University of Wyoming |
Developing captive husbandry for Cassin’s auklets and measuring their costs of foraging in spill-prone areas |
| F. Charles Mohr UC Davis |
Petroleum oil-induced adrenal hypertrophy in mink: Effects of stress, gender, and oil composition on adrenal function |
2003-2004 |
|
| Patricia Conrad UC Davis |
Epidemiology and Molecular Characterization of Sea
Otter Cryptosporidium and Giardia Infections |
| Eric Gershwin UC Davis |
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-induced immune alterations in the harbor seal, Phoca vitulina |
| James T. Harvey Moss Landing Marine Laboratories |
Body condition and oceanographic determinants of Sooty Shearwater movements: a model for post-release survival studies in seabirds |
| Frances Gulland The Marine Mammal Center |
The effect of rehabilitation on antibiotic resistance of gastrointestinal bacteria in elephant seals |
| John Incardona NOAA, Northwest Fisheries Science Center |
Mechanisms of petroleum hydrocarbon toxicity in fish early life history states |
| Melissa Miller UC Davis |
Determining optimal antimicrobial regimens for otters using susceptibility and in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles |
| Ronald Tjeerdema UC Davis |
Acute and Chronic Effects of Crude Oil and Dispersed Oil on
Chinook Salmon Smolts |
2002-2003 |
|
| Mark Colwell Humboldt State |
University
Space use, movements and habitat use of snowy plovers in Humboldt
County, California |
| James T. Harvey Moss Landing Marine Laboratories |
Hematology, plasma chemistry, and movements of the sooty shearwater (Puffinus griseus) respond to changes in body condition, food habits, and ocean conditions off California |
| James T. Harvey Moss Landing Marine Laboratories |
Diving and hematology of common murre (Uria aalge) in Monterey Bay, California |
| Laird A. Henkel HT Harvey and Associates |
At-sea distribution of marbled murrelets in San Luis Obispo County, California |
| Jenifer A. Hurley Moss Landing Marine Laboratories |
Gastric disease in stranded pinnipeds: evaluating the prevalence and treatment of a novel Helicobacter species |
| Michelle Lander The Marine Mammal Center |
Implantation
of subcutaneous radio transmitters in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) Publication: Lander, M.E., M. Haulena, F.M.D. Gulland, and J.T. Harvey. 2005. Subcutaneous implantation of radio transmitters in the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). Marine Mammal Science 21(1):154-161. |
| F. Charles Mohr UC Davis |
Investigation
of the mechanism of adrenal gland hypertrophy induced by petroleum
oil in American mink |
| Gary W. Page Point Reyes Bird Observatory |
Factors influencing the distribution of shorebirds on beaches of Monterey Bay, California |
2000-2001 |
|
| Brenda Ballachey USGS, Alaska Biological Science Center |
Cytochrome P4501a biomarker in sea otters: A comparison of methods to detect aromatic hydrocarbon exposure |
| Patricia Dawn Goley Humboldt State University |
Spatial and temporal distribution of harbor seals in and around Humboldt Bay, California-Implications for effective response in the event of an oil spill |
| James T. Harvey Moss Landing Marine Lab |
Survival, movements, and food habits of Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) juveniles in central California |
| James T. Harvey Moss Landing Marine Lab |
Common Murre (Uria aalge) diving activity, hematology and foraging habitat use in central California |
| Michelle Lander The Marine Mammal Center |
Post-release survival of rehabilitated California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) implanted with satellite transmitters with percutaneous antennae |
| Jonna Mazet UC Davis |
Evaluation of an aerial survey method for southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) location during oil spill response |
| F. Charles Mohr UC Davis |
Investigation of the mechanism of adrenal gland hypertrophy induced by petroleum oil in American mink |
| Michael J. Murray Monterey Bay Aquarium |
The use of the drug combination medetomidine/butorphanol as an analgesic sedative in the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) |
| Scott Newman UC Davis |
Comparing transmitter attachment techniques in free-ranging common murres |
| Michelle Staedler Monterey Bay Aquarium |
Development and testing of a subcutaneous radio transmitter for sea otters |
| Jeffery Stott UC Davis |
Identifying oil-sensitive genes for use in a southern sea otter-specific microarray |
| Terrie Williams UC Santa Cruz |
Thermal lability in sea otters: A challenge for survival? |
1999-2000 |
|
| Merav Ben-David University of Alaska, Anchorage |
Post-release survival of river otters: Partitioning the effects of oiling and rehabilitation from the effects of captivity. |
| Walter M. Boyce UC Davis |
Genotoxicity of oil to mitochondrial DNA: A pilot study using the mink model for sea otters |
| Mark A. Colwell Humboldt State University |
Spatial analysis of Humboldt Bay birds: Implications in the event of an oil spill |
| James D. Gilardi The Oceanic Society |
Testing the use of sound to prevent marine birds and mammals from entering oil-contaminated waters off the coast of California |
| Marty Haulena The Marine Mammal Center |
Comparison of end-tidal carbon dioxide levels in anesthetized California sea lions with and without assisted mechanical ventilation |
| David A. Jessup Marine Wildlife Vet. Care Research Center |
Adaptation of sea otter husbandry protocols to emergency situations: A pilot study |
| Donald P. King UC Davis |
Development of rapid diagnostic tests to detect phocine herpes virus infection in Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) |
| Lynn Miller Le Nichoir Rehabilitation Centre |
Proposal to evaluate use of acute phase proteins as early indicators of toxic stress induced by oil in birds |
| F. Charles Mohr UC Davis |
Effect of petroleum oil on immune competence in wildlife: Studies with mink as a model for petroleum oil exposure in sea otters |
| Scott Newman Wildlife Health Center, UC Davis |
The biological and behavioral impacts of radio telemetry attachment on seabirds: Part II |
| Lisa A. Tell UC Davis |
Pharmacokinetic properties and systemic effects of a controlled release formulation of itraconazole in mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) |
| Pamela K. Yochem Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute |
Changes in the skin and blood of northern elephant seals associated with molt, presence of oil or tar on the skin and hair, and disease |
1998-99 |
|
| Jennifer Burns Institute of Marine Sciences, UCSC |
Health, condition, and reproductive rates of harbor seals in Monterey Bay, California |
| Harry R. Carter Humboldt State University and USGS, BRD |
At-sea foraging patterns of Cassin's auklets in southern California |
| Mark A. Colwell Humboldt State University |
Spatial analysis of Humboldt Bay bird distributions: Implications for prevention, response, and rehabilitation of oiled birds |
| Michael S. Denison Dept. of Environmental Toxicology, UC Davis |
Evaluation and use of a recombinant cell bioassay to detect and quantify internal petroleum exposure in sea otters (Enhydra lutris ssp.) exposed to or at risk of exposure to oil spills |
| Frances Gulland The Marine Mammal Center |
Assessment and comparison of health status, survival, and behavior of recently weaned and free-ranging and rehabilitated southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) pups |
| David Jessup California Department of Fish and Game |
An assessment of levels of polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, trace elements and heavy metals in tissues of selected prey items of California sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) foraging in the Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing harbor areas |
| Jonna A. K. Mazet Wildlife Health Center, UC Davis |
The use of geldanamycin to prevent the toxic effects of internal oil exposure on reproduction of mink (Mustela vison) as a model for sea otters (Enhydra lutris) |
| F. Charles Mohr Dept. of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, UC Davis |
Effects of petroleum oil on immune competence in wildlife: Studies with mink as a model for petroleum oil exposure in sea otters |
| Scott H. Newman Wildlife Health Center, UC Davis |
The biological and behavioral impacts of radio telemetry attachment on seabirds |
| Donald Smith UC Santa Cruz |
Effects of contaminants on immune suppression in seabirds |
| Florina S. Tseng International Bird Rescue Research Center |
An investigation into the efficacy of itraconazole as a preventative and treatment for Aspergillus infections in seabirds |
1997-98 |
|
| Merav Ben-David University of Alaska, Anchorage |
Responses of river otters to oil contamination A controlled study of biological stress markers, diving physiology, and foraging success. |
| Michael S. Denison UC Davis |
Development and use of a recombinant cell bioassay to detect and quantify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the serum of free-ranging wildlife prior to and during oil spills. |
| David A. Ferrick UC Davis |
Development of marine mammal immune cell reconstituted mice as an in vivo model to investigate the effects of oil exposure on sea otters, pinnipeds, and cetaceans. |
| Frances Gulland The Marine Mammal Center |
Assessment and comparison of the
health status, survival and behavior of recently weaned free-ranging
and rehabilitated southern sea otter pups. |
| James Harvey Moss Landing Marine Laboratory |
Assessment of the post-release survival of rehabilitated and wild harbor seal pups. |
| F. Charles Mohr School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis |
Effect of petroleum oil on immune competence in wildlife: Studies with mink as a model for petroleum oil exposure in sea otters. (Year 2) |
| Florina S. Tseng International Bird Rescue Research Center |
An investigation into the efficacy of itraconazole as a preventative and treatment of aspergillus infections in seabirds. |
| Florina S. Tseng International Bird Rescue Research Center |
An investigation in the use of sedatives in oiled bird rehabilitation |
| Terrie M. Williams Dept. of Biology, UC Santa Cruz |
The effect of salt and fresh water on the thermal insulation of otter fur |
| Michael Ziccardi Wildlife Health Center, UC Davis |
The histopathological and biochemical effect of petroleum products on seabirds |
| Joseph G. Zinkl Dept. of PMI, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis |
Examining avian stress parameters associated with rehabilitation methodologies |
1996-97 |
|
| Frances Gulland The Marine Mammal Center |
Assessment and comparison of the health status, survival and behavior of recently weaned free-ranging and rehabilitated southern sea otter pups |
| James Harvey Moss Landing Marine Laboratory |
Comparison of behaviors and post-release survival between wild and rehabilitated harbor seal pups |
| F. Charles Mohr UC Davis |
Effect of petroleum oil on immune competence in wildlife: Studies with mink as a model for petroleum oil exposure in sea otters |
| Florina S. Tseng International Bird Rescue Research Center |
An investigation into the efficacy of itraconazole as a preventative and treatment of aspergillus infections in seabirds |
| Joseph G. Zinkl UC Davis |
Examining avian stress parameters associated with rehabilitation methodologies |