Charles D. Criscione

Charles D. Criscione

Texas A & M University � Department of Biology

3258 TAMU � College Station � Texas 77843-3258

web pages: www.geocities.com/cooch2000 and www.bio.tamu.edu/FACMENU/FACULTY/CriscioneC.htm

EDUCATION:

2005	Ph.D. Molecular and Cellular Biology, Oregon State University, GPA: 4.0
2000	M.S. Biology, Southeastern Louisiana University, GPA: 4.0
1995	B.S. Zoology, Louisiana State University, GPA: 4.0, Summa Cum Laude

PUBLICATIONS: (left click on 1st author to view a PDF version of the reprint)

Criscione,	C. D., C. L. L. Valentim, H. Hirai, P. T. LoVerde, T. J. C. Anderson. 2009. Genomic linkage map of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. Genome Biology (in press).
Valentim,	C. L. L., P. T. LoVerde, T. J. C. Anderson, C. D. Criscione. 2009. Efficient genotyping of Schistosoma mansoni miracidia following whole genome amplification. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology 166:81-84..
Criscione,	C. D. 2008. Parasite co-structure: broad and local scale approaches. Parasite 15:439-443 (Invited Review).
Criscione,	C. D., J. D. Anderson, D. Sudimack, W. Peng, B. Jha, S. Williams-Blangero, and T. J. C. Anderson. 2007. Disentangling hybridization and host colonization in parasitic roundworms of humans and pigs. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 274:2669-2677. (supplementary material)
Criscione,	C. D., J. D. Anderson, K. Raby, D. Sudimack, J. Subedi , D. R. Rai, R. P. Upadhayay, B. Jha, S. Williams-Blangero, and T. J. C. Anderson. 2007. Microsatellite markers for the human nematode parasite Ascaris lumbricoides: Development and assessment of utility. Journal of Parasitology 93:704-708.
Criscione,	C. D., and M. S. Blouin. 2007. Parasite phylogeographical congruence with salmon host evolutionarily significant units: implications for salmon conservation. Molecular Ecology 16:993-1005. (supplementary material)
Criscione,	C. D., and M. S. Blouin. 2006. Minimal selfing, few clones, and no among-host genetic structure in a hermaphroditic parasite with asexual larval propagation. Evolution 60:553-562. (supplementary table)
Criscione,	C. D., B. Cooper, and M. S. Blouin. 2006. Parasite genotypes identify source populations of migratory fish more accurately than fish genotypes. Ecology 87:823-828. (see news releases about this publication)
Vilas,	R., C. D. Criscione, E. Paniagua, and M. S. Blouin. 2006. Microsatellite loci from the trematode Lecithochirium fusiforme, a parasite of the European conger eel. Molecular Ecology Notes 6:1064-1066.
Criscione,	C. D., R. Poulin, and M. S. Blouin. 2005. Molecular ecology of parasites: elucidating ecological and microevolutionary processes. Molecular Ecology 14:2247-2257 (Invited Review).
Criscione,	C. D., and M. S. Blouin. 2005. Effective sizes of macroparasite populations: a conceptual model. Trends in Parasitology 21:212-217.
Vilas,	R., C. D. Criscione, and M. S. Blouin. 2005. A comparison between mitochondrial DNA and the ribosomal internal transcribed regions in prospecting for cryptic species of platyhelminth parasites. Parasitology 131:839-846.
Criscione,	C. D., and M. S. Blouin. 2005. Eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci for the salmonid trematode Plagioporus shawi. Molecular Ecology Notes 5:562-564.
Criscione,	C. D., and M. S. Blouin. 2004. Life cycles shape parasite evolution: comparative population genetics of salmon trematodes. Evolution 58:198-202. (cover illustration we made for this issue)
Kent,	M. L., V. Watral, C. M. Whipps, M. E. Cunningham, C. D. Criscione, J. R. Heidel, D. L. Curtis, J. Spitsbergen, D. Markle. 2004. A digenean metacercaria (Apophallus sp.) and a myxozoan (Myxobolus sp.) associated with vertebral deformities in cyprinid fishes from the Willamette River, Oregon. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 16:116-129.
Criscione,	C. D., V. Watral, C. M. Whipps, M. S. Blouin, S. R. M. Jones, and M. L. Kent. 2002. Ribosomal DNA sequences indicate isolated populations of Ichthyophonus hoferi in geographic sympatry in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Journal of Fish Diseases 25:575-582.
Criscione,	C. D., and W. F. Font. 2001. The guest playing host: Colonization of the introduced Mediterranean gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus, by helminth parasites in southeastern Louisiana. Journal of Parasitology 87:1273-1278.
Criscione,	C. D., and W. F. Font. 2001. Development and specificity of Oochoristica javaensis (Eucestoda: Cyclophyllidea: Anoplocephalidae: Linstowiinae). Comparative Parasitology 68:149-155.
Criscione,	C. D., and W. F. Font. 2001. Artifactual and natural variation of Oochoristica javaensis: Statistical evaluation of in situ fixation. Comparative Parasitology 68:156-163.
Criscione,	C. D., N. J. Anderson, T. Campbell, and B. Quinn. 1998. Hemidactylus mabouia. Herpetological Review. 29:248.

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

I examine fundamental ecological and evolutionary questions in parasite systems and consider my research to be at the interface of ecology, evolution, and genetics. Parasitism is one of the most common lifestyles among eukaryotes. Therefore, parasitology provides a rich subject area for studies of ecology and evolutionary biology. Numerous topics such as ecosystem dynamics, mating systems, or coevolution can be addressed because parasites are extremely diverse. By diversity, I include not only the myriad of taxa that have independently evolved a parasitic lifestyle, but also the diversity in life cycles, modes of reproduction, host species, and ecosystems utilized by parasites. This diversity also allows for comparative studies to address theories or unifying principles that span ecosystems or taxonomic groups. Furthermore, there are many practical applications such as studying the evolution of drug resistance, or using parasite community structure to assess �ecosystem health�. My research interests address both basic and applied questions, and span three overlapping subject areas: 1) Genetics and Ecological Genomics, 2) Evolution: Population Genetics and Mating Systems, and 3) Ecology: Biodiversity and Natural History.

Little is known about the genetic structure of parasite populations, much less what factors shape these genetic patterns. By using different population genetics approaches (comparative phylogeographic to within-population, relatedness studies), I address questions about how parasite life cycle variation and host life history characteristics influence parasite genetic structure. Example questions include: how does host vagility affect gene flow among parasite populations, how do parasite distributions (prevalence, abundance, intensity) and transmission dynamics affect mating and effective population size? Much of the basic natural history of parasites and their hosts plays an important component in making predictions about genetic structure. Thus, I have a continued interest in ecological and classical parasitology studies (life cycles, etc.). Additionally, questions that address conservation issues such as origins of introduced parasites or effects of habitat alterations on parasite genetic structure are of interest. Taxonomic groups of interest (but not limited to) are the parasitic helminths (nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, acanthocephalans); my favorite hosts are reptiles, amphibians, and fish. My future research will also take on a genomics approach (primarily with S. mansoni), which can be used to look for molecular signatures of drug resistance genes in parasites. A primary goal of a genomics approach will be to find genes directly involved in host-parasite interactions and to understand the causes and consequences of the variation of these genes within and among populations. Such research will provide invaluable insight into parasite evolution.

Currently, I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Texas A&M University. My current research is addressing questions about tapeworm mating dynamics. In addition, I am collaborating with Phil LoVerde, Tim Anderson, and Guilherme Oliveira on several Schistosoma mansoni projects (linkage mapping and field-based molecular epidemiological studies). For these projects, I have developed over 250 microsatellite markers from the genome sequence of S. mansoni.

EMPLOYMENT:

2008-Current	Assistant Professor - Texas A&M University, Department of Biology
2005-2008	Postdoctoral Scientist - Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR), Department of Genetics
2003-2005	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency STAR Graduate Fellow (OSU)
2002	Research Assistant (OSU) - pedigree analysis of Oregon steelhead salmon
2001-2003	Teaching Assistant (OSU) � details below
2000-2001	CGRB Core Lab Graduate Assistant (OSU) - provided lessons on Genescan/Genotyper software
1997-2000	Teaching Assistant (SLU) � details below
1997-1998	Research Assistant (SLU) - ecological studies of introduced fish parasites in streams of Hawai�i

HONORS AND AWARDS:

2008	Young Investigator Award�Honorable Mention (Am. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg.)
2007	Texas Genetics Society � Best postdoctoral poster presentation (presented by C. Valentim)
2006	Ashton Cuckler New Investigator Award - American Society of Parasitologists
2005	American Fisheries Society Best Paper Award in J. Aquat. Anim. Health - Kent et al. 2005
2003	Best Student Presentation�Honorable Mention � Am. Soc. of Parasitologists Halifax meeting
2002	National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship�Honorable Mention
1999	Graduate Teaching Fellow (SLU)
1995	University Medal (LSU) - awarded for highest graduating GPA
1995	Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society�s Senior Award (LSU)
1991-1995	Dean�s list (LSU)

GRANTS AND FUNDING:

2007-2009	NIH 1 R21 AI072704-01 (Tim Anderson, PI; Charles Criscione, postdoc): A linkage map for Schistosoma mansoni. The goal is to develop a linkage map to pave the way for finding drug-resistant and host specificity genes in the human parasite S. mansoni.
2006	SFBR Forum Grant (Charles Criscione, PI): Characterization of the praziquantel drug-resistant phenotype in the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. ($25,000) - The major goal is to develop a method to measure the drug-resistant phenotype for a linkage map analysis.
2005	Founder�s Council Steves Award (SFBR) - for purchase of stereomicroscope ($5,692)
2005	Cowles Postdoctoral Fellowship (SFBR)
2003	Environmental Protection Agency STAR Graduate Fellowship ($108,000) � Comparative population genetics among trematode parasites of salmonids in the Pacific Northwest
2003-2005	American Society of Parasitologists Marc Dresden Student Travel Grants ($450, $500, $500)
2003-2004	P. F. Yerex & Nellie Buck Yerex Graduate Fellowship (OSU) ($5,000)
2002-2003	Flyfisher�s Club of Oregon Graduate Fellowship (OSU) ($4,750)
2002-2003	Oregon Sports Lottery Scholarship (OSU) ($3,468)
1999	Academic Enhancement Grant (SLU) ($400)
1999	Student Government Association Grant (SLU) ($350)
1994	Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium�s Summer Program Grant ($400)
1991-1995	T. H. Harris Scholarship (LSU)
1991-1995	Honors Scholarship (LSU)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

2001, 2003	Teaching Assistant � Genetics (OSU)
2002	Teaching Assistant � Cell Biology Laboratory (OSU)
2000	Teaching Assistant � Graduate Advanced Biostatistics Laboratory (SLU)
1999-2000	Teaching Assistant � Undergraduate Applied Biostatistics Laboratory (SLU)
1999	Teaching Assistant � Field Zoology (summer course on vertebrate natural history) (SLU)
1999	Biology Computer Laboratory monitor and instructor (SLU)
1997-1999	Teaching Assistant � Introduction to Zoology Laboratory (SLU)

Guest Lecturer � Parasitology (OSU), Evolution (SLU), Herpetology (SLU)

STUDENT ADVISING:

2008-current	Zachary W. Culumber (Ph.D. committee member, Texas A&M Univ., Biology Dept.)
2009	Johnson Cheng and Shih-Jye Yei (undergraduate research Bio 491 spring)

INVITED SEMINARS:

2007	University of Montana (guest seminar for Gordon Luikart�s disease ecology/evolution class)
2007	University of South Florida, Department of Biology
2007	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Department of Zoology
2007	Louisiana State University, Department of Biological Sciences
2007	University of Georgia, Department of Genetics
2006	Texas A&M University, Department of Biology
2006	University of Central Florida, Department of Biology
2000	Louisiana State University, Museum of Natural Science
2000	University of California-Davis, Department of Nematology

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS:

Criscione,	C. D., D. Sudimack, J. D. Anderson, J. Subedi , D. R. Rai, R. P. Upadhayay, B. Jha, K. D. Williams, S. Williams-Blangero, and T. J. C. Anderson. 2008. Landscape genetics reveals focal transmission of Ascaris lumbricoides. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (New Orleans, LA).
Criscione,	C. D. 2008. Parasite co-structure: broad and local scale approaches. Invited Keynote Speaker. Xth European Multicolloquium of Parasitology (Paris, France).
Criscione,	C. D., D. Sudimack, J. D. Anderson, J. Subedi , D. R. Rai, R. P. Upadhayay, B. Jha, S. Williams-Blangero, and T. J. C. Anderson. 2008. Molecular epidemiology and landscape genetics as tools to examine foci of parasite transmission within host populations. Am. Soc. of Parasitologists (Arlington, TX).
Criscione,	C. D., C. Valentim, P. T. Loverde, T. J. C. Anderson. 2007. Construction of a linkage map for Schistosoma mansoni. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (Philadelphia, PA).
Criscione,	C. D., J. D. Anderson, D. Sudimack, W. Peng, M. E. Romero-Abal, J. Subedi , D. R. Rai, R. P. Upadhayay, B. Jha, S. Williams-Blangero, and T. J. C. Anderson. 2007. Disentangling host colonization and hybridization patterns in human and pig Ascaris: Is it possible? 1st North American Parasitology Congress (Merida, Mexico).
Valentim,	C. L., P. T. LoVerde, T. J. C. Anderson, C. D. Criscione. 2007. Evaluating whole genome amplification from small parasites: Typing hundreds of microsatellite markers from single miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni. 1st North American Parasitology Congress (Merida, Mexico).
Valentim,	C. L., P. T. LoVerde, T. J. C. Anderson, C. D. Criscione. 2007. Linkage map construction in the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. Texas Genetics Society (San Antonio, TX).
Criscione,	C. D., B. Cooper, and M. S. Blouin. 2006. Parasite genotypes identify source populations of migratory fish more accurately than fish genotypes. 11th Int. Congress of Parasitology (Glasgow, Scotland).
Criscione,	C. D., J. D. Anderson, K. Raby, D. Sudimack, J. Subedi , D. R. Rai, R. P. Upadhayay, B. Jha, S. Williams-Blangero, and T. J. C. Anderson.2006. Landscape genetics of Ascaris lumbricoides: fine scale genetic structure among human hosts (poster). 11th Int. Congress of Parasitology (Glasgow, Scotland).
Criscione,	C. D., and Blouin, M. S. 2005. Elucidating parasite transmission dynamics and mating systems: an examination of the within population genetic structure of the salmonid trematode Plagioporus shawi. American Society of Parasitologists (Mobile, AL).
Criscione,	C. D., and Blouin, M. S. 2004. Parasite population genetics: illustrated uses in the environmental and conservation sciences (poster). EPA Graduate Fellowship Conference (Washington, DC).
Criscione,	C. D., and Blouin, M. S. 2004. Effective size of macroparasite populations: a conceptual overview. American Society of Parasitologists (Philadelphia, PA), Evolution (Fort Collins, CO), and EVO_WIBO (Port Townsend, WA).
Criscione,	C. D., and Blouin, M. S. 2003. Life cycles shape parasite evolution as shown via comparative population genetics of salmonid trematodes. American Society of Parasitologists (Halifax, Nova Scotia) and Evolution (Chico, CA).
Criscione,	C. D., V. Watral, C. M. Whipps, M. S. Blouin, S. R. M. Jones, and M. L. Kent. 2002. Ribosomal DNA sequences indicate isolated populations of Ichthyophonus hoferi in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The Tenth International Congress of Parasitology (Vancouver, Canada).
Criscione,	C. D., and W. F. Font. 1999. Helminth parasites from the introduced Mediterranean gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus: ecological and conservation implications for reptiles and amphibians. ASIH (Pennsylvania St. Univ., PA).
Criscione,	C. D., and W. F. Font. 1999. The guest playing host: an examination of helminth parasites in the introduced Mediterranean gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus, with ecological and conservation implications. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists (Auburn Univ., AL).

WORKSHOPS ATTENDED:

2007	Conservation Genetics Data Analysis Course, Flathead Lake Biological Station, Montana

SERVICE:

Reviewer	Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA), American Naturalist, Molecular Ecology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, Trends in Parasitology, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Journal of Parasitology, International Journal for Parasitology, Comparative Parasitology, Journal of Herpetology, Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, Microbes and Infection, Parasitology, Journal of the Royal Society Interface, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, BMC Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, BMC Ecology, Biological Invasions, Veterinarski Arhiv, Journal of Helminthology, Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Marine Biology Progress Series
2009	Operating Budget and Funding Priorities Subcommittee (Dept. of Biology, Texas A&M Univ.)
2008	Organizer of symposium at Am. Soc. of Parasitologists (Arlington, TX, 2008): Population genetics of parasites: from geography to genes.
2007-2009	Henry Baldwin Ward Medal Committee (Chair) - American Society of Parasitologists
2005-2009	Membership Committee - American Society of Parasitologists
2003	Invited panel speaker for the Council of Regents (OSU) - special event for university donors
2003	Molecular and Cellular Biology Admissions Committee (OSU)
1998-1999	President Biology Graduate Student Organization (SLU) � raised funds for invited speaker event
1998-1999	Teller�s committee - American Society of Parasitologists

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

Society for the Study of Evolution

American Society of Parasitologists

The Helminthological Society of Washington (1998-2008)

The Herpetologist�s League (1998-2004)

Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (1998-2004)

Southeastern Society of Parasitologists 1998-2000

Southeastern Louisiana Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Group 1998-2000

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