Anita Kelly, Ph.D.

Anita Kelly, Ph.D.

  • Extension Professor
  • School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences
(334) 624-4016
amk0105@auburn.edu
Alabama Fish Farming Center
Google Scholar
LinkedIn
Dr. Anita Kelly has been actively involved in the aquaculture industry for nearly 30 years. After receiving her Ph.D. in Zoology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, she was a farm manager for two private fish farms for over 8 years, producing trout, channel catfish, hybrid striped bass, yellow perch, bluegill, largemouth bass, and several minnow species. She has been a faculty member at Mississippi State University, Southern Illinois University, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Her work in Arkansas included supervising the four UAPB fish health laboratories, one of which was a USDA-approved laboratory for testing fish for export. In 2019, Dr. Kelly joined Auburn University as an Extension Professor of Fish Health stationed at the Alabama Fish Farming Center, a satellite facility of Auburn University. In her current position, she provides diagnostic services to catfish, shrimp, crayfish, and sportfish producers. Dr. Kelly has been an AFS/FHS Certified Aquatic Animal Inspector since 2008. Additionally, Dr. Kelly conducts applied research that helps producers improve production methods and reduce disease incidents on farms.

Education

  • Ph.D.Southern Illinois University1995

  • M.S.Southern Illinois University1990

  • B.S.University of Iowa1987

Professional Experience

  • 2023-present Aquatic Resources Team Coordinator, Extension
  • 2019-present Extension Professor, Auburn University
  • 2015-2019 Aquaculture Extension Unit Leader, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  • 2014-2019 Director, Fish Disease Laboratory, Lonoke, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  • 2012-2019 Associate Director, Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  • 2012-2019 Extension Fish Health Specialist III, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  • 2012-2015 Graduate Student Coordinator for the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  • 2007- 2012 Extension Fish Health Specialist II, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  • 2003-2007 Assistant Professor, Southern Illinois University
  • 2003 Associate Professor, Mississippi State University 
  • 1998- 2003 Assistant Professor, Mississippi State University
  • 1996-1998 Vice President of Operations and Plant Manager for The Great Black Creek Fish Company, Black Creek, WI
  • 1995-1996 Researcher III for Cooperative Fisheries Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
  • 1996 Instructor, Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University 
  • 1994-1995 Vice President of Research and Operations, Mid-Continental Fisheries, Inc., Johnston City, Illinois
  • 1992-1994 Aquaculture consultant for Mid-Continental Fuels, Marion, Illinois
  • 1990-1993 Researcher II, Cooperative Fisheries Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University
  • 1991- Instructor, School for Field Studies on the island of South Caicos, British West Indies
  • 1988-1990 Research Assistant, Cooperative Fisheries Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University.

Research

As an Extension Professor, my research focuses on the disease issues currently plaguing the aquaculture industry in west Alabama. The majority of catfish and shrimp production occurs here; therefore, transferring technologies and best management practices to reduce or prevent disease is my primary mission. On-farm research demonstrations are vital for producers to determine if a technology or management practice will work for them. Although catfish and shrimp are the major aquaculture industries in west Alabama, I have considerable experience in fish health with other species, including baitfish, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish. For publications, see my Google Scholar or LinkedIn profile.

Extension Experience

The primary focus of my extension activities is to provide diagnostic support for disease detection in the aquaculture industry, for private pond owners, for state hatcheries, and for sportfish producers in Alabama. Stationed at the Alabama Fish Farming Center in Greensboro, I serve as a liaison and collaborating partner with faculty members from Auburn University.