Lisa M. Ragone Calvo
Visiting Scientist

CONTACT INFORMATION
6959 Miller Avenue
Port Norris, NJ 08349
(856) 785-0074 ext.4315 (fax) 785-1544
calvo@hsrl.rutgers.edu

EDUCATION
M.A. Marine Science, College of William and Mary, 1991
B.A. Biology and Geography, University of Delaware, 1984

EXPERIENCE
Visiting Scientist, Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, 2004-present
Scientist, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, Virginia, 1992-2003

RESEARCH STATEMENT
    My research has primarily focused on diseases of clams and oysters. I have been particularly interested in the effect of environmental factors on disease processes. My most recent research focused the transmission dynamics of the oyster parasite, Perkinsus marinus, and the influence of host genetics and geographic location on the clam parasite QPX (Quahog Parasite Unknown).
    I've also been very interested in education and community outreach. In early 2006 I launched a new initiative at HSRL called Promoting Oyster Restoration Through Schools: Project PORTS. This is a community-based restoration and education program focusing on oyster populations in the Delaware Bay. Project PORTS offers teacher workshops, K-12 curriculum materials, and opportunities for schools to participate in the restoration of Delaware Bay oyster habitat.

PUBLICATIONS

  • Audemard, C. L.M. Ragone Calvo, K.T. Paynter, K.S. Reece and E.M. Burreson. 2006. Application of real-time PCR in parasite ecology studies: in situ determination of the oyster parasite Perkinsus marinus transmission dynamics in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Parasitology. Parasitology.

  • Ragone Calvo, L. and E.M. Burreson. 2003. Status of the major oyster diseases in Virginia - 2002. A summary of the annual monitoring program. Marine Resource Report, 2003-1. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, Virginia.

  • Ragone Calvo, L.M., G. W. Calvo, and E. M. Burreson. 2003. Dual disease resistance in a selectively bred eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, Strain Tested In Chesapeake Bay. Aquaculture. 220(1-4):69-87.

  • Ragone Calvo, LM., C. F. Dungan, B. S. Roberson and E. M. Burreson. 2003. A systematic evaluation of factors controlling Perkinsus marinus transmission dynamics in the lower Chesapeake Bay, Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 56:75-86.

  • Stokes, N.A., L.M. Ragone Calvo, K. S. Reece, and E. M. Burreson. 2002. Molecular diagnostics, field validation, and phylogenetic analysis of Quahog Parasite Unknown (QPX), a pathogen of the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 52:233-247.

  • Ragone Calvo, L.M. and E.M. Burreson. 2002. QPX susceptibility in hard clams varies with geographic origin of brood stock. Virginia Sea Grant Marine Resource Advisory No. 74 VSG-02-18, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, Virginia.

  • Ragone Calvo, L.M., R.L. Wetzel, E.M. Burreson. 2001. Development and verification of a model for the population dynamics of the protistan parasite Perkinsus marinus within its host, the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica in Chesapeake Bay. Journal of Shellfish Research 20(1): 231-241.

  • Ragone Calvo, L. and E.M. Burreson. 2001. Status of the major oyster diseases in Virginia - 2000. A summary of the annual monitoring program. Marine Resource Report, 2002-1. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, Virginia.

  • Ragone Calvo, L.M., N.A. Stokes, and E.M. Burreson. 2001. Molecular methods for the detection of Quahog Parasite Unknown (QPX). Marine Resource Report No. 2001-10, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, Virginia.

  • Ragone Calvo, L.M. and J.G. Walker and E.M. Burreson. 1998. Prevalence and distribution of QPX, Quahog Parasite Unknown, in hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria in Virginia. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 33:209-219.

  • Oliver, L.M., W.S. Fisher, S.E. Ford, L.M. Ragone Calvo, E.M. Burreson, E.B. Sutton, J. Gandy. 1998. Perkinsus marinus distribution and seasonal variation in oysters Crassostrea virginica from Florida, Virginia and New York. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 34:51-61.

  • Anderson, R.S., L.L. Brubacher, L.M. Ragone Calvo, E.M. Burreson and M.A. Unger. 1998. Effect of in vitro exposure to tributyltin and hypoxia on the progression of Perkinsus marinus infections and host defense mechanism in oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin). Journal of Fish Diseases 21:371-380.

  • Ford, S.E., R. Smolowitz, L.M. Ragone Calvo, R.D. Barber, and J.N. Kraeuter. 1997. Evidence that QPX (Quahog Parasite Unknown) is not present in hatchery-produced hard clam seed. Journal of Shellfish Research. 16(2):519-521.

  • Anderson, R.S., L.L. Brubacher, L.M. Ragone Calvo, E.M. Burreson and M.A. Unger. 1997. Effect of in vitro exposure to tributyltin on gene ration of oxygen metabolites by oyster hemocytes. Environmental Research. 74:84-90.

  • Burreson, E.M. and L. Ragone Calvo. 1996. Epizootiology of Perkinsus marinus disease of oysters in Chesapeake Bay, with emphasis on data since 1985. Journal of Shellfish Research Special Publication. Journal of Shellfish Research. 15(1):17-34.

  • Ragone Calvo, L. and E.M. Burreson. 1996. Status of the major oyster diseases in Virginia - 1995. A summary of the annual monitoring program. Marine Resource Report, 96-1. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, Virginia.

  • Ragone Calvo, L. and E. M. Burreson. 1994. Characterization of overwintering infections of Perkinsus marinus (Apicomplexa) in Chesapeake Bay oysters. Journal of Shellfish Research 13(1): 123-130.

  • Burreson, E. M., L. M. Ragone Calvo, J. F. La Peyre, F. Counts and K. T. Paynter, Jr. 1994. Acute osmotic tolerance of cultured cells of the oyster pathogen Perkinsus marinus (Apicomplexa: Perkinsida). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 109A(3): 575-582.

  • Ragone, L. M. and E. M. Burreson. 1993. Effect of salinity on infection progression and pathogenicity of Perkinsus marinus in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin). Journal of Shellfish Research, 12(1): 1-7.