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Hamish Small

Assistant Professor

Email: [[v|hamish]]
Phone: (804) 684-7745
Office: Chesapeake Bay Hall 123
Section: Ecosystem Health

Education

  • Ph.D.     Marine Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Scotland,   2004
  • M.Res.  Biomedical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland,  2000
  • B.Sc.      Immunology and Microbiology (Hons. 2:1), University of Strathclyde, Scotland,  1999

Interests

Great science doesn't happen alone and I am very fortunate to collaborate with some incredibly talented internal and external colleagues. My research program at VIMS is broadly focused within aquatic health (plant, vertebrate and invertebrate) and parasitology/pathology. That said, I also have interests in harmful algal bloom (HAB) biology, molecular genetics, host-parasite interactions and immunology.  In the aquatic health arena research efforts are directed towards foundational studies to identify the 5 Ws (who, what, where, when and why/how) to better understand potential impacts to individuals and ultimately populations. Current research projects intesect restoration, wild capture and aquaculture industries and examples include studies on eelgrass seed pathogens (Phytophthora Halophytophthora spp), bitter crab disease (BCD) and black eye syndrome (BES) in Bering Sea snow crab, and suden unusual oyster mortality syndrome (SUMS) in eastern oysters.  Several of these studies are performed under our Initiative for the Management of Marine Diseases . I also act as the VIMS research coordinator for the Elizabeth River Inititive and I contribute fish pathology data and work closely with the Elizabeth River Project to develop and publish the State of the River Scorecard.  HAB-related studies  include molecular and imaging-based monitoring and assessing bio effects to aquatic life from HAB and toxin exposure (Alexandrium sp). I also manage and operate the VIMS Olympus FV1200 laser scanning confocal microscope.

As a keen saltwater angler I am passionate about providing science-based information on recreationally-important species to stakeholders (public and managers). Prior collaborative studies  have involved elucidating the population structure of tautog (Tautoga onitis) and cobia (Rachycentron canadum). Currently, we are studying the the post-release survival of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) release from the late summer recreational fishery.

 

Recent Funded Projects (last 5 yrs)

  • Development of novel monoclonal antibodies targeting Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS). M.A. Vogelbein, K. Reece, H.J. Small. VIMS Innovation Fund. 2025-2026.
  • Use of pop-up satellite archival transmitting tags (PSATs) to evaluate air exposure and handling effects on the survival of adult red drum (Scianops ocellatus) released during Virginia’s late summer recreational fishery. H.J. Small. Virginia Marine Resources Commission. 2025-2026.
  • Developing tools, capacity and expertise to investigate infectious disease in Seagrass. H.J. Small, C. Patrick and K.M. Pagenkopp Lohan. VIMS Strategic Initiative. 2024-2025.
  • Evaluating the potential role of bitter crab syndrome in elevated natural mortality of Bering Sea snow crab. E. Fedewa, H.J. Small, M. Groner, T. Meyers, K. Reece, C. Szuwalski, C. Cleary and L. Zacher. NOAA. 2023-2025.
  • A transcriptomic study of the differential stress response between diploid and triploid eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica, and its potential involvement in triploid mortality. H.J. Small, R. Carnegie, K. Hudson, J. McDowell, K. Reece, J. Small and W. Walton. NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy Competitive Research Program. 2023-2026.
  • Field Sampling to Support Use of Satellite Imagery for Characterization of HABs in the Lower Chesapeake Bay. K. Reece, H.J. Small and S. Gaillard. NOAA. 2022.
  • Epidemiology and pathology of an emerging disease, black eye syndrome, in snow crab in the Eastern Bering Sea. M. Groner, H.J. Small, J. Greer, B. Daly, W. Chen. North Pacific Research Board. 2021-2025.
  • Optimization and application of environmental DNA protocols for blackbanded sunfish (Enneacanthus chaetodon) detection in Virginia. J. McDowell, E. Hilton, H.J. Small, M. Pinder. Virginia Dept. Wildlife Resources. 2020-2023.
  • Toxicity and Potential Food-Web Impacts of Alexandrium monilatum and its Toxins. NOAA ECOHAB. With K.S. Reece (P.I.), W.K. Vogelbein (Co-P.I.), J Smith (Co-P.I.), R.B. Carnegie (Co-P.I.), and W.G. Reay (Co-P.I.). September 2017 - September 2020.

Recent Publications (last 5 yrs)

  • Kerr, R., Small, H.J., Bass, D., Al Arimi, W., Ross, S., Pevsner, R., van Aerle, R., Stentiford, G.S. and Bateman, K.S. (2025) The first report of Hematodinium perezi genotype I infection of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) from the River Thames, UK. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 213, 108427.
  • Fedewa, E.J., Jensen, P.C., Small, H.J., Litzow, M.A, Malick, M.J., Zacher, L.S., Long, C., Kotwicki, S. (2025) Bitter crab disease dynamics in eastern Bering Sea Tanner and snow crab: an underestimated and emergent stressor. Fisheries Research, 283, 107307.
  • Small, H.J. and Li, C. (2025) Hematodinium perezi. Trends in Parasitology, 41, 603-604.
  • Zhang, J., Small, H.J., Li, M., Huang, Q., Hu, L., Xue, Q., Wang, J. and Li, C. (2025) The parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium perezi suppresses the innate immunity of Portunus trituberculatus via exosomal miRNAs. Aquaculture, 609, 742827.
  • Gaillard, S., Small, H.J., Ayache, N., Tanniou, S., Hess, P., Réveillon, D., Harris, C.M., Harris, T.M., Scott, G.P., MacIntyre, A. and Reece, K.S. (2024) Investigating the role of allelochemicals in the interaction between Alexandrium monilatum and other phytoplankton. Harmful Algae. 139, 102706
  • Gaillard, S., Small, H.J., Carnegie, R.B., Harris, T.M., Tanniou, S., Réveillon, D., Hess, P. and Reece, K.S. (2024) Sublethal exposure of eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica to the goniodomin-producing dinoflagellate Alexandrium monilatum: Fate of toxins, histopathology, and gene expression. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 36:374–394.
  • Lively, J.A., Spitznagel, M.I., Schott, E.J. and Small, H.J. (2023) Investigating conspecific CsRV1 transmission in Callinectes sapidus. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 201: 107987.
  • Harris, C.M., Hintze, L., Gaillard, S., Tanniou, S., Small, H.J., Reece, K.S., Tillmann, U., Krock, B. and Harris, T.M. (2023) Mass Spectrometric Characterization of the Seco Acid Formed by Cleavage of the Macrolide Ring of the Algal Metabolite Goniodomin A. Toxicon. 107159.
  • Prossner, K.M., Small, H.J., Carnegie, R.B. and Unger, M.A. (2023) Immunofluorescence visualization of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon mixtures in the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 42: 475-480.
  • Li, M., Huang, Q., Lv, X., Small, H.J. and Li, C. (2022) Integrative omics analysis highlights the immunomodulatory effects of the parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium on crustacean hemocytes. Fish and Shellfish Immunology. 125, 35-47.
  • Tuckey, T.D., Swinford, J.L., Fabrizio, M.C., Small, H.J. and Shields, J.D. (2021) Penaeid Shrimp in Chesapeake Bay: Population Growth and Black Gill Disease. Marine and Coastal Fisheries. 13, 159-173.
  • Scheld, A.M., Goldsmith, W.M., White, S., Small, H.J. and Musick, S. (2020) Quantifying the behavioral and economic effects of regulatory change in a recreational cobia fishery. Fisheries Research. 224, 105469.
  • Small, H.J., Song, J. and McDowell, J.A. (2020) Genetic evaluation of population structure in tautog, Tautoga onitis. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 149, 414-426.