John R. Schwarz

Learn more about John R. Schwarz

Get To Know John R. Schwarz

What in your life drew you to your current field of study?

The desire to work in the marine environment. The ocean has always intrigued me as an area that I wished to study.

What do you hope your students gain from studying or working with you?

The ability to be self-motivated, to work hard toward a goal and to never give up. To not try is to fail.

What are you passionate about in your personal life?

I have always been passionate about finishing whatever project I start.

Expertise

All aspects of seafood micro-biology. Association of bacterial pathogens with shellfish and devising experimental methodologies to provide the consumer with a safer food product.

Education

Ph.D. Molecular Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1972
B.S. Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1967

Publications

Cam, Sedat, R. Brinkmeyer and J.R. Schwarz. 2018. Quantitative PCR enumeration of vcgC and 16S rRNA type A/B genes as virulence indicators for environmental and clinical strains of Vibrio vulnificus in Galveston Bay oysters. Canadian J. Microbiol. In Press

Robin Brinkmeyer, Rainer M.W. Amon, John R. Schwarz, Tara Saxton, Dustin Roberts, Sarah Harrison, Nicholas Ellis, Jessica Fox, Renée DiGuardi, Mona Hochman, Shuiwang Duan, Ron Stein, and Catherine Elliot. 2015. Distribution and Persistence of Escherichia coli and Enterococci in Stream Bed and Bank Sediments from two Urban Streams in Houston, TX. Science of the Total Environment. 502: 650-658.

Baumeister, L, Hochman, M.E., Schwarz, J.R., and R.Brinkmeyer. 2014. Occurrence of Vibrio vulnificus and Toxigenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus on Sea Catfishes from Galveston Bay, TX, USA. J. Food Protection. In Review.

Walton, W.C., Nelson, C., Hochman, M. and J.R. Schwarz. 2013. Preliminary Study of Transplanting as a Process for Reducing Levels of Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Shellstock Oysters. J. Food Protection. 76(1) 119-123

Lin, M., D. Payne and J.R. Schwarz. 2003. Genetic Diversity of Vibrio vulnificus in Galveston Bay Oysters and Water as Determined by RAPD PCR. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69 (6): 3170-3175.

Lin, M. and J.R. Schwarz. 2003. Partial 16s rDNA  Sequencing of Vibrio vulnificus isolates from Galveston Bay Oysters and Water. FEMS Microbiol Ecol.45: 23-27. Schwarz, J.R. TAMUG page 2                 

Vanoy, R.W. and J.R. Schwarz. 2001. Survival of Vibrio vulnificus in Crassostrea virginicus after One Year of Simulated Winter Conditions. Report to the Natural Resources Committee of the Texas Legislature and Texas Department of Health. 10 pp.

Schwarz, J. R., R. Bielby, S. Burkett, J. DiGialleanardo, C. Fallin, D. Hochman, M. Lin, J. McAuliffe, M. Schweighofer, R.W. Vanoy and L. Wolfe. 2000. Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus: Distribution and Population Densities of Pathogenic and Non-pathogenic Strains. J. Seafood Science and Technol. 25: 10 pp.

Schwarz, J.R., C. Fallin and R.W. Vanoy. 1994. Occurrence of Vibrio vulnificus in Galveston Bay Oysters. In : M.L. Tamplin, ed. The Seasonal Occurrence of Vibrio vulnificus in Shellfish, Seawater and Sediment of United States Coastal Waters: the Influence of Environmental Factors on Survival and Virulence. pp. 23-32.

Vanoy, R.W., M. L. Tamplin and J.R. Schwarz. 1992. Ecology of Vibrio vulnificus in Galveston Bay oysters, suspended particulate matter and seawater: detection by monoclonal antibody-immunoassay-most probable number procedures. J. Indust. Microbiol. 9: 219-223.

Grants and Fellowships

Funded Research Projects

September 2017 - August 2019: Texas Department of State Health Services, Principal Investigator. HB 1903.Study and Analysis of Texas Oysters. $140,319.

September 2015 - August 2017: Texas Department of State Health Services, Principal Investigator. HB 1903.Study and Analysis of Texas Oysters. $200,000.

September 2013 - August 2015: Texas Department of State Health Services, Principal Investigator. HB 1903.Study and Analysis of Texas Oysters. $200,000.

September 2012 - August 2013: Texas Department of State Health Services, Principal Investigator. Studies of Vibrio spp. In Texas Oysters. $ 80,000.

October 2011 - April 2012: Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Commission, Principal Investigator. Effects of Increased Salinity on Oyster Vibrio Populations. $19,000.

June 2007 - August 2010: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Co-PI. Survival and Potential Growth of Escherichia and Enterococcus spp. in Texas Bays and Tributary Waters. $ 1,359,000.

Awards & Recognition

2012: Regents Professor Designation, The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents

2012: Distinguished Achievement Teaching Award – University Level, The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University

2011: TAMUS Chancellor’s Student Led Assessment of Teaching Excellence Award

2010: TAMUS Chancellor’s Student Led Assessment of Teaching Excellence Award

2009: TAMUS Chancellor’s Student Led Assessment of Teaching Excellence Award

2006: William P. Ricker Distinguished Faculty Award, Texas A&M University at Galveston

2002 - 2003: Distinguished Achievement Teaching Award- College Level, The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University

Professional Appointments

2001 - Present: Member, State of Texas Department of Health Vibrio vulnificus Control Plan Committee

2001 - Present: Member, Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, Gene-Probe Committee, Technical Representative

2001 – Present: Member, Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, Laboratory Methods Committee

2001 – 2016: Member, Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, Research Guidance Committee

Current Graduate Students

Advisor and Committee Chair for 12 MARB IDP Non-thesis option MS students