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May 12, 2022
The varied wild and captive habitats of a fish health professional
Susan Fogelson, MS, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP
CEO, Fishhead Labs LLC, Stuart, FL, USA
ABSTRACT
Have you ever wondered what options are out there for the fish health professional? Follow along with one such aquatic animal enthusiast to see her unconventional migration through the diverse spectrum of aquatic animal health careers. Humble beginnings as an algae culture technician at a small shrimp farm to current ownership of a small veterinary pathology consulting business, Dr. Fogelson will discuss the nuances of her journey as a fish health professional. Experiences in both captive and wild environments will be discussed to show the wide variety of opportunities available for fishheads of all ages and educational levels. Previous and current habitats include private laboratories, federal offices, university settings, and state run facilities. She hopes to take you on a dynamic tour of life experiences that have been both educational and rewarding over the last 20+ years of her fish health career.
BIOSKETCH
Susan B Fogelson, MS, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP, is a board certified veterinary anatomic pathologist with over 20 years of experience in aquatic, exotic, and domestic animal health. She has worked with a multitude of entities including small animal general/specialty clinics, public aquaria and zoos, private aquaculture facilities, academic institutions, state research facilities, and governmental agencies in a variety of capacities. In addition to her doctorate in veterinary medicine, she also holds a master’s degree in Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures and a PhD in Aquatic Animal Pathology. Dr. Fogelson enjoys the challenge of working with both exotic and domestic species. In 2016, she founded Fishhead Labs LLC, a pathology consulting company that specializes in disease diagnosis through evaluation of fresh and formalin-fixed tissue specimens. In this capacity, Dr. Fogelson strives to bring the pathologist back into the clinical setting by providing a boutique, personalized service for her clients. In 2020, she designed and implemented an onsite histology laboratory to support her work at Fishhead Labs as well as researchers from all over the country.
In addition to her diagnostic service, Dr. Fogelson has been and is currently involved in a variety of research projects as well as graduate student mentorship. Topics investigated have included assessment of gonadal differentiation in multiple fish species, nidovirus (serpentovirus) disease transmission and pathology in pythons, evaluating the effects of immunotherapy in relation to vaccine induced sarcoma in felines, pathologic evaluation of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed to anoxia, fish immunology, toxicological effects of environmental contaminants in fish, pathology of mycobacteriosis in syngnathids, bioinformatic analysis of bacterial genomes, and evaluation of aquatic animal transcriptomes. In her free time, she enjoys surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, kiteboarding, snorkeling, fishing, cooking, and spending time with family.