DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Phylogenetic Relationships, Biogeography, and Genetic Diversity of the VHS Fish Virus

病毒性出血性败血症病毒（VHSV）的原因之一，世界？最重要的鱼类疾病。自2005年以来，在五大湖发现了一种独特的新菌株（IVb）的爆发，杀死了许多重要物种，损害了我们的渔业、鱼饵、水产养殖和旅游业。本研究将分析进化，地理，和遗传多样性模式？新的？VHS菌株在其整个分布中，与其他菌株相比，为了解和防治这种疾病提供了重要的益处。DNA序列变异和电泳图谱将在整个病毒中进行测试？的地理范围，时间进程，并在受感染的鱼类物种。将使用三种不同的基因分析病毒株内部和之间的遗传多样性，从而跟踪病毒随时间和空间的变异模式。这项调查将大大提高女性博士的研究深度和机会。学生.其他更广泛的影响是，该项目将促进教学，培训，合作，并了解病原体的进化模式，研究生，高中生，大学和国家研究人员，水产养殖渔民和渔业管理人员。研究结果将加强渔业养护和疾病预防工作。

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSv) causes one of the world?s most important finfish diseases. An outbreak of a unique and emerging strain (IVb) has been observed across the Great Lakes since 2005, killing many important species and harming our fisheries, baitfish, aquaculture, and tourism industries. This study will analyze the evolutionary, biogeographic, and genetic diversity patterns of this ?new? VHS strain throughout its distribution, in comparison to other strains, providing important benefits for understanding and combating this disease. DNA sequence variation and biogeographic patterns will be tested across the virus?s geographic range, temporal course, and among infected fish species. Genetic diversity within and among the strains will be analyzed using three different genes, permitting the tracking of the patterns of viral variation over time and space.This investigation will significantly enhance the research depth and opportunity of a female Ph.D. student. Additional broader impacts are that the project will promote teaching, training, collaboration, and understanding of evolutionary patterns in pathogens to fellow graduate students, high school students, university and state researchers, aquaculture fish farmers, and fisheries managers. Results will enhance fisheries conservation and disease prevention efforts.