April Mentor Profile: Andy Goodwin

Andy Goodwin is the Fish Health Program Manager for the Fish and Wildlife Service in Region 1. His job is to oversee the FWS Fish Health Centers in ID, WA, and OR and to bring fish health to the table when the FWS is involved in planning and policy decisions in this Region. For 16 years prior to September 2012, Andy was a professor at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) where he oversaw 4 fish disease diagnostic laboratories, did research, taught graduate and undergraduate courses in fish health and fish physiology, mentored grad students, and was active on national and international committees involved in aquatic animal health policy.

Read on to learn more about Andy's work as well as some valuable advice for up-and-coming fish health professionals.

April Student Profile: Stephen Reichley

This month, we're featuring Stephen Reichley, a DVM candidate at the Ohio State University who will be graduating this spring and is interested in a career in fish health. Read on to learn more about Stephen and his interests. 

January Student Profile: Sarah McConnachie

This month, we're featuring Sarah McConnachie, a Ph.D. student at Atlantic Veterinary College. Sarah is also one of the co-chairs of the Student Involvement Committee for the AFS-Fish Health Section. Read on to learn more about Sarah and her research.

October Profile: Nick Phelps

To better highlight FHS members, the Student Subcommittee has decided to revive the professional and student profiles that were formerly featured in the FHS newsletter. This month we're featuring Nick Phelps, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Minnesota and the former chair of the Student Subcommittee. Read on to learn more about Nick and his research.

A Quick Recap of the 2012 FHS Meeting

The 2012 AFS-FHS annual meeting was held in La Crosse, WI in July. Twelve students presented their research at this meeting. Student presentations ranged from treatments to eliminate Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (VHSV) from baitfish to great egrets as potential vectors of Aeromonas hydrophila. A full list of abstracts can be found here. 

There were five S.F. Snieszko student travel awards given this year to defray the cost of travel to the meeting. In addition, all student presentations were judged by a panel of professionals. At the end of the meeting, awards were given to the student speakers with the highest points. Congratulations to Nick Phelps (University of Minnesota) who won first place and Amy Long (University of Idaho) who won second place.

A student-professional lunch social held on the first day of the meeting. The goal of the social was to introduce students to each other and to professionals. We also aimed to encourage a dialogue that continued throughout the meeting. Nine professionals sat down with students and discussed their career paths and gave advice on finding jobs and postdoctoral positions.

Thanks to all the students who participated in this meeting. We'll see you in Port Townsend in 2013!