Tal Ben-Horin
Assistant Professor
College of Veterinary Medicine
Department of Clinical Sciences
Center for Marine Sciences and Technology
Shellfish Pathology
252.222.6312 [email protected] WebsiteBio
Ben-Horin is an aquatic pathologist working in coastal marine ecosystems. His research group uses field studies, laboratory experiments, and mathematical models to study disease processes in fish and shellfish populations. Working closely with industry and regulators, their work addresses relevant questions to identify biosecurity measures to minimize disease impacts to aquaculture and fisheries.
Area(s) of Expertise
Aquatic pathology, Aquaculture biosecurity, Infectious disease ecology in coastal marine ecosystems
Research in his lab focuses on the ecology and epidemiology of infectious diseases in coastal marine ecosystems. His work integrates field studies, laboratory experiments, and mathematical models to study disease processes in fish and shellfish populations and identify biosecurity measures to minimize disease impacts to aquaculture and fisheries.
Publications
- Characterizing microbial dynamics associated with Crassostrea virginica mortality , Aquaculture Reports (2026)
- Host Interference and Environmental Pathogen Limitation Generate Non-Monotonic Disease Transmission in Filter-Feeding Hosts , SSRN Electronic Journal (2026)
- Interannual variation in freshwater and marine phycotoxins quantified from oysters cultured across diverse coastal sites , Aquaculture Reports (2026)
- A suite of ddPCR assays targeting microbial pathogens for improved management of shellfish aquaculture , Applied and Environmental Microbiology (2025)
- Broodstock Genetics, More than Ploidy Alone, Explains Oyster Resilience at Farm Sites Impacted by Sudden Unusual Mortality Syndrome (Sums) , SSRN Electronic Journal (2025)
- Broodstock genetics, more than ploidy alone, explains oyster resilience at farm sites impacted by sudden unusual mortality syndrome , Aquaculture (2025)
- Farmed oyster mortality follows consistent Vibrio community reorganization , bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (2025)
- Farmed oyster mortality follows consistent Vibrio community reorganization , mSystems (2025)
- See Salt: Recommendations for engaging oyster growers in community-based coastal monitoring programs , Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (2025)
- A newly discovered trematode parasite infecting the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians , Aquaculture (2024)