Erica Westcott
Laboratory Manager, Fish Histopathology
Email: [[rakasha]]Phone: (804) 684-7882
Office: Chesapeake Bay Hall, N105
Department: Environmental & Aquatic Animal Health
Education
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B.S. in Biology, Clark Atlanta University
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M.S. in Marine Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Duties/Specialties
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Conduct innovative research on diseases of estuarine organisms, including investigation of the role of Mycobacterium spp.in the etiology of skin ulceration in Chesapeake Bay striped bass.
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Process biological samples from field and laboratory studies for paraffin histology for the Pathobiology Program, and other VIMS programs.
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Train students and other technical staff in histological and histochemical methods.
Subject of thesis research
A Descriptive Study of the Veined Rapa Whelk (Rapana venosa) in the Chesapeake Bay; R. venosa is a large predatory gastropod (snail) native to Asian waters, and it has recently invaded the Chesapeake Bay. Check out the Rapa webpage for more info.
Hobbies/interests
Skydiving and knitting
