TIE Affiliation

Environmental Research Fellowship

Research

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a chitinolytic, Gram-negative bacterium found in seawater that has great impact on the global aquaculture industry. It colonizes shellfish and seafood, causing gastroenteritis and septicemia when ingested by humans. Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica), commonly grown in New England coastal waters, accumulate V. parahaemolyticus by finely filtering water. The greater the bacterial burden, the more likely foodborne illness will occur in individuals consuming raw oysters. Both Massachusetts and Rhode Island have Vibrio Control Plans that specify regulations geared towards minimizing bacterial growth. These regulations vary, and data is lacking on the correlation between the efficacies of regulatory guidelines and effects on V. parahaemolyticus growth. This study is being conducted to inform evidence-based policy on how to minimize human risk of V. parahaemolyticus infection from raw oyster consumption.

Biography

Mattison is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health candidate at Tufts. After receiving my BA in Biology from Wesleyan University, she began working with marine mammals rescued off the coast of California. This experience brought into focus the interconnectedness between marine mammal, ocean, and human health, and catalyzed my pursuit of these graduate programs. She has since gained experience working with the Office of Public Health at the National Park Service on disease response and food safety, and she is looking forward to combining my interests in aquaculture, food safety, and environmental health through her oyster research.