Mentor Profile with Brandon Taro, Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Brandon Taro has been the Fish Health Program Coordinator for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for the past five years. He has a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from the University of Wyoming, and a Master of Natural Resources from Utah State University. Brandon started working for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in 1999 as a laboratory aide before taking a contract position as a laboratory technician doing PCR for whirling disease in the same lab. He was then hired by the USDA Agricultural Research Service to work on West Nile virus for a year. In 2001, Brandon was hired by the National Center for Design of Molecular Function, part of Utah State University’s Research Foundation, working with a group of engineers to develop and test biodefense detection technology for viruses, bacteria, and toxins of importance. After three years with that group, Brandon went to work for the Institute for Antiviral Research where he advanced to managing the Hepatitis B and prion disease research programs, and helped with the West Nile virus program.

When Brandon came to the Fish Health program with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, he had plenty of laboratory experience and no fish health background. Brandon jumped in with both feet. He learned the nuances of diagnostic and inspection work, studied the Blue Book, started updating protocols and laboratory practices, and brought the program into alignment with the guidelines of the Blue Book and the needs of the fish culture program. The Wyoming Fish Health program currently inspects ten state-run aquaculture facilities at least once per year as well as six private facilities. They also inspect up to nine feral brood stock populations during spawning in addition to performing disease diagnostics (bacteriology, parasitology and virology) for the state. During the course of a year, the Fish Health program travels about 30,000 miles to some of the most beautiful places in the state of Wyoming, and attends the Western Fish Disease Workshop and the Rocky Plains Pathology Group. With the recent purchase of a building designated to serve as a new wildlife forensics, fish health, and tooth aging laboratory, the Fish Health program is looking forward to the opportunity to update and expand their laboratory and capabilities.

Brandon is one of the coordinators of the 56th Annual Western Fish Disease Workshop which will take place June 2 – 4, 2015 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. More information about the meeting can be found in the FHS newsletter and online registration is now open.

1.      How did you get to where you are today?   

I got a little lucky in finding this job.  I was working as a virologist, studying Hepatitis B, West Nile, and prion disease, when this job opened.  I had worked for the lab previously, so I had a contact. I looked into the position, applied, and was hired.

2.      What do you like most about your current job? 

I get to travel all over Wyoming inspecting our facilities. They are all in great locations in beautiful places all over the state.

3.      When and why did you first become involved with AFS and the FHS?  

My position is required to be certified as an AFS Aquatic Animal Health Inspector or a Fish Pathologist, so I became a member when I started working for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

4.      How do you feel that FHS has influenced your career path?  

The FHS is an incredible network of very knowledgeable individuals who are more than willing to help each other out.  The communication and attitude have helped me through some tough decisions and diagnostics already.

5.     What do you see for the future of the FHS?  

I see the FHS growing and becoming more important in the future.  I see fish health labs heading toward an accreditation requirement, and I think the FHS will be the guiding entity as that comes about.

6.     What has been your favorite part about being a part of the FHS network? 

I have loved the people I meet at conferences, the relationships that are built in such a short time, and then cultivated in the working world.

7.     Who were your mentors as you were an up-and-coming fish health specialist? 

Because of my background, I jumped into fish health with both feet, learning on  the fly.  Wade Cavendar (UT), Dave Money (formerly from WY), Scott LaPatra (ID), Doug Munson (ID) and Ray Brunson (formerly from WA) have all been a great help to me in my career.

8.     What would you say to yourself now, when you were going through school? 

Consider fish health as a career option, look into internships, and study harder!

9.     If you mentor students currently or hire new graduates, what sort of qualities do you look for?   

We get a few interns in our lab, and we look for good work ethic, willingness to learn, and a quirky personality that fits in with our group.

10.    Any words of wisdom to up-and-coming FHS students and new members?  

Start building your network and contacts early, show your skills when and where you can, and be ready for opportunities that come out of the blue.

Mentor Profile with Ben LaFrentz, USDA-ARS Aquatic Animal Health Research Unit

Dr. Benjamin LaFrentz has been actively conducting basic and applied research in the area of aquatic animal health since 2000, with a special emphasis on pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. He is employed as a Research Molecular Biologist at the USDA-ARS Aquatic Animal Health Research Unit in Auburn, Alabama.  He completed his undergraduate training in Animal Ecology (Aquaculture emphasis) at Iowa State University (2000) and MS and PhD in Fishery Resources at The University of Idaho (2002, 2007).  During his graduate training, he worked collaboratively with the rainbow trout aquaculture industry on research projects aimed at developing vaccines for Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the causative agent of bacterial coldwater disease.  Through these projects, he has conducted research on host immune mechanisms, identification and characterization of immunogenic antigens, vaccine development, and identification of virulence factors of bacterial pathogens.  Currently, he is applying his expertise towards important bacterial pathogens of channel catfish and tilapia to develop new methods for disease prevention that will improve the productivity, quality, and profit of these important aquaculture species.

1.      How did you get to where you are today?

I have always had a passion for fish. As a child, I raised guppies and collected “data” on them, perhaps sparking my interest in research! After high school I attended Iowa State University and majored in animal ecology with an emphasis in aquaculture. During my junior or senior year, I took an interesting fish pathology course and felt this was my path. After graduating ISU, I was fortunate to get accepted to graduate school at the University of Idaho and obtained my MS and PhD degrees conducting research on bacterial coldwater disease. In 2008, I was hired as a research molecular biologist at the USDA-ARS Aquatic Animal Health Research Unit in Auburn, AL.

2.      What do you like most about your current job? 

The thing I enjoy the most about my job is that I am always learning something new. Research is exciting (and frustrating at times) and results from one study may lead you down a road that you never thought about traveling. Combining basic and applied research with the goal of solving a problem to improve fish health is very satisfying to me.

3.      When and why did you first become involved with AFS and the FHS? 

I joined AFS in 1999 while an undergraduate student and joined the FHS as a graduate student. At the University of Idaho, I was actively involved in the Palouse Student Subunit of the Idaho Chapter AFS and served as Co-President and Secretary. In 2004, I attended a FHS EXCOM meeting and the committee expressed interest in revamping the FHS website. I had some experience in developing websites, so I volunteered to serve as the website editor. This proved to be an invaluable opportunity as it allowed me to meet, network, and interact with many FHS members. Additionally, I have served on the Communications Committee, Student Involvement Committee, and Nominating and Balloting Committee.    

4.      How do you feel that FHS has influenced your career path? 

My involvement with the FHS has allowed me to interact with many FHS members and build lasting friendships and collaborations with other fish health professionals. It has opened the door to opportunities that would not have been possible.  

5.     What do you see for the future of the FHS? 

I see the future of the FHS continuing its long standing reputation of connecting fish health professionals nationally and internationally, promoting the science, developing professional and technical standards, and developing young professionals.  

6.     What has been your favorite part about being a part of the FHS network? 

My favorite part of the FHS network has been interacting with other members through involvement and meetings. Attending FHS meetings are rewarding for numerous reasons including learning more about current issues and research in fish health, building collaborations, meeting new people, and reconnecting with others.

7.     Who were your mentors as you were an up-and-coming fish health specialist? 

As an undergraduate at Iowa State University, I was fortunate to be advised and mentored by Bob Summerfelt. Through his mentoring, Bob introduced me to research and provided me with many of the skills that I needed to be successful. During my graduate research in Idaho, Ken Cain and Scott LaPatra taught me experimental design, research techniques, and how to write effectively. They also provided me with opportunities to attend meetings, assist with on-farm research, and explore side research projects. I will always be grateful for these mentors. I’ve met different fish health professionals with exemplary research programs, values, and attitudes which have indirectly served as mentors or role models.

8.     What would you say to yourself now, when you were going through school? 

I think it is important to work hard, keep an open mind, jump on opportunity, and find balance to ensure you play hard at times too.

9.     If you mentor students currently or hire new graduates, what sort of qualities do you look for? 

I mentor students on occasion, but I think the most important qualities are curiosity and enthusiasm.     

10.    Any words of wisdom to up-and-coming FHS students and new members? 

Get involved and build relationships with other FHS members.

Cornell Duo: Student Profile with Emily Cornwell and 10 Questions with Mentor Rod Getchell

Dr. Emily and a large muskie!

Student: Dr. Emily Cornwell

Emily is currently a  DVM/PhD student at Cornell University. She completed the PhD portion of her program in July 2012 with  Dr. Paul Bowser as her program chairman and is now in the 3rd year of her veterinary curriculum. Her thesis works is focused on the infection dynamics of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus in the Great Lakes.

1.     What is your current research/position?

I am in the dual DVM/PhD program at Cornell University.  Currently, I am a 3^rd year veterinary student and a part-time postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Paul Bowser’s lab.  My PhD research focused on the epidemiology of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus in the Great Lakes and I am expanding that work during my post-doc with more of a focus on the genetic variation of this virus that has occurred since it was first introduced into the Great Lakes.

 2.     What sparked your interest in aquatic animal health?

I have wanted to be a veterinarian since I was in 4^th grade, but in college I had a summer externship at the Hatfield Marine Science Center with Dr. Tim Miller-Morgan and fell in love with research and with fish.  Focusing on aquatic animal health in vet school and for my PhD seemed like the perfect way to combine my passions.

 3.     What has been your favorite fisheries-related job?

Teaching students about fish health.  I have been fortunate to have several opportunities to teach, both by mentoring students in the laboratory and more formally in the classroom.  One of my favorites has been teaching middle and high school students in 4H about how amazing fish are.  Another veterinary student, Caroline Laverriere, and I designed the class together and we talk about fish diversity, anatomy, native species identification, aquarium care and maintenance, and then the students get to do a complete necropsy on a fish. It’s so rewarding to see students go from being grossed out or entirely disinterested by fish to excitedly pointing out parasites on gill clips.

 4.     What do you like most about graduate/professional school? 

In graduate school, I really enjoy being able to ask questions and then figure out how to design an experiment to answer them.  I also like the camaraderie in our lab – we all support each other and help each other out on our respective projects.  In vet school, my favorite parts are interacting with clients and their pets and trying to make connections between what we are learning about in domestic animals and fish.

5.     When and why did you first become involved with AFS and the FHS?

I became involved with AFS and FHS during my first year of graduate school.  It seemed like a great way to start to meet other people in the field.  Since joining, I have been really impressed by what a close-knit and collaborative community the FHS is and feel really lucky to be a part of it. 

6.     What are your long-term professional goals (FHS or otherwise)?

I hope to be able to combine my interests in clinical medicine, research, and teaching, most likely in academia or government but I am open to anything.  I would also really like to continue incorporating international work into my career.

  

Mentor: Dr. Rod Getchell

Rod teaching a group of students

Rod Getchell is a Senior Research Associate at Cornell University in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the College of Veterinary Medicine.  He oversees diagnostic tasks for the department’s Aquatic Animal Health Program and recently became a Block IV tutor for second year veterinary students.  His primary research interests involve emerging diseases of fish and the development of new molecular assays for their detection.  He also is the Associate Director of AQUAVET®.

1.      How did you get to where you are today?   

My love of science began with my father, who was a Junior High School science teacher.  Then, when I went to the University of New Hampshire, I focused on microbiology.  I took an interest in fish and marine biology as well and spent many summers at the Shoals Marine Lab out at the Isles of Shoals in the Gulf of Maine.  I also took Sea Semester, which is run by Sea Education Association, and sailed on the R/V Westward out of Woods Hole, MA.  I decided to go to graduate school to study fish diseases and was lucky enough to get into Oregon State University (OSU) and John Fryer’s research group.  I came to Cornell in 1990 and entered the Employee Degree Program in 1996 while working in the labs of Dr. Bruce Calnek and Dr. Benjamin Lucio.  Eventually, I joined the lab of Dr. Paul Bowser, where I conducted the research requirement for my PhD and have continued to perform studies on a variety of fish diseases.

2.      What do you like most about your current job? 

I like the combination of research, extension/diagnostic work, and the teaching I do at AQUAVET® and in the small-group learning environment of Block IV, the microbiology and immunology portion of the vet student training.

3.      When and why did you first become involved with AFS and the FHS?  

I joined the Fish Health Section in 1981 when I started at OSU.  I think someone I respected just told me to do it, probably John Rohovec.

4.      How do you feel that FHS has influenced your career path?  

I have met many of my close colleagues through the section and the Eastern Fish Health Workshop.  FHS is the most important professional group in our field, and it has helped me foster collaborative relationships on a number of projects.

5.     What do you see for the future of the FHS?  

I think the organization will continue to fulfill the mission that was laid out by many of our own mentors.

6.     What has been your favorite part about being a part of the FHS network?  

Reconnecting with members both old and new at the meetings each year.  It is great to hang out with people who I can talk with about the subjects I am most interested in.

7.     Who were your mentors as you were an up-and-coming fish health specialist? 

How did they influence you?  My mentors at OSU were John Rohovec and Craig Banner.  They showed me how to conduct fish disease research, but, more importantly, they showed me how to treat other people in the lab, how to work hard, and how to enjoy life.  My mentor at Cornell has been Paul Bowser, a person who has dedicated his life to this field.  Most of my recent success I credit to Dr. Bowser’s guidance.

8.     What would you say to yourself now, when you were going through school? 

Take advantage of as many opportunities as possible.  Find a mentor you respect and learn as much as you can from him or her.

9.     If you mentor students currently or hire new graduates, what sort of qualities do you look for?   

Enthusiasm for what we do in the lab goes a long way for me.  We can train students to perform most any assay, but they have to bring the drive to push themselves.

10.    Any words of wisdom to up-and-coming FHS students and new members?  

Don’t be afraid to walk up to colleagues you do not know and introduce yourself.  The path my career has taken was greatly influenced by unplanned conversations.  You never know when a door will open for you.