Dr. Roy Yanong
Roy Yanong's longtime interest as a tropical fish hobbyist eventually resulted in a career in fish veterinary medicine. After receiving his B.A. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University, Dr. Yanong worked at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, studying leukemia in soft-shell clams from Boston Harbor. Two years later, he attended the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine where he concentrated in aquatic animal medicine and received his V.M.D. in May 1992. After graduation from vet school, he was hired by 5-D Tropical, Inc., a large ornamental fish farm in Plant City, Florida, where he was quickly immersed into the industry. He worked as staff veterinarian there for four and a half years.
In 1996, he joined the UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory (TAL) in Ruskin where he provides extension, research, and educational programs in fish health management, including on-site veterinary assistance and disease diagnostic support for aquaculturists and other stakeholders throughout the state. In addition to work with the commercial aquaculture community, he works closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s stock enhancement personnel and programs. He is currently Extension Veterinarian and Professor in the Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (PFAS), School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC), University of Florida/ Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS).
Roy and his colleagues at the TAL, UF/IFAS Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, and the UF College of Veterinary Medicine work collaboratively to promote the advancement of aquatic animal medicine and fish health management through courses, internships, externships, extension and scientific publications, continuing education sessions, and other venues.
Over the years, Roy has participated in a number of local, state, and national fish health-related committees. He is currently President of the American Association of Fish Veterinarians, Chair of the Aquatics Working Group for the American Veterinary Medical Association's Panel on Euthanasia; a former member and Chair of the AVMA's Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Committee (AqVMC); and a past member of the AVMA's Animal Agriculture Liaison Committee (AALC). He is also a member of a number of other aquaculture and fish health organizations.
Roy Yanong's research program is applied and industry-driven, and concentrated primarily in ornamental fish species. His research program has been focused in two major areas of concern: 1) diseases of production and 2) drugs, chemicals, and biologics (including vaccines).