Leticia Hoag, Ph.D. - profile information
More information about Leticia Hoag, Ph.D.
- Research Associate
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences
Short Bio
Dr. Leticia Fantini Hoag is a Research Associate at Auburn University specializing in fisheries and aquaculture, with a focus on fish production, health, and hatchery management. She earned dual Ph.D. degrees in Animal Science (2018, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil) and in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences (2021, Auburn University). She has extensive experience in applied aquaculture systems, including tilapia production and fish grading. Dr. Hoag is known for her strong organizational skills, adaptability in dynamic environments, and commitment to mentoring students through hands-on learning.
More bio information
Education
Ph.D. in Fisheries and Aquaculture School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences – USA2021
Ph.D. in Animal ScienceUFMS - Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul- Brazil2018
Master of Science in Animal SciencesUEMS - State University of Mato Grosso do Sul - Brazil2012
B.S. in Animal ScienceUEMS - State University of Mato Grosso do Sul - Brazil2011
Professional Experience
Dr. Leticia Fantini Hoag has served as a Research Associate at Auburn University’s E.W. Shell Fisheries Center (2021–Present), where she supports faculty in planning, executing, and maintaining research and extension programs in aquaculture. She manages daily operations of fish production systems, including hatchery and grow-out facilities, and leads a team of students, technicians, and crew to ensure proper husbandry practices and efficient resource use. Her responsibilities include coordinating fish stocking, grading, sampling, and harvest activities; maintaining detailed records of production, fish health, and environmental conditions; and overseeing inventory, labor, and materials. She collaborates closely with faculty to support laboratory and field operations, contributes to data collection, analysis, and scientific publications, and actively participates in outreach through events, tours, and stakeholder engagement. Prior to this role, she worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at Auburn University (2017–2021), where she conducted research on the biological and economic viability of commercial aquaculture systems, including daily fish husbandry, disease management, and water quality monitoring. Earlier in her career, she served as an Extensionist at Aqua Fantini (2014–2017), assisting communities in improving farming practices to enhance productivity and income, and as a Professor and Extensionist with the National Rural Apprenticeship Service (SENAR) (2014–2018), where she trained farmers and students in sustainable livestock and aquaculture production systems.
Research
Dr. Leticia Fantini Hoagâs research focuses on applied aquaculture production systems, with an emphasis on catfish and tilapia culture, as well as fish health and performance under varying environmental conditions. Her work also includes hatchery management and larval/fingerling production techniques, integrating both biological and economic perspectives to optimize production efficiency. Dr. Hoag has contributed to a substantial body of peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as Aquaculture, Aquaculture International, North American Journal of Aquaculture, Aquaculture Reports, and PLOS ONE, with research spanning nutrition, physiology, production systems, fish health, and product quality across multiple aquaculture species.
Extension Experience
Dr. Leticia Fantini Hoag actively contributes to outreach and extension efforts through education, training, and community engagement. She assists with the Learning Center at the E.W. Shell Fisheries Research Center by supporting tours and K–12 educational activities, and she regularly participates in stocking fish and visiting high schools to promote aquaculture awareness. Dr. Hoag collaborates with extension programs to share knowledge both within the United States and internationally, including supporting projects in Brazil. She also gained international experience through a study abroad program in Vietnam, where she received field-based training in commercial aquaculture systems, including freshwater eel, grouper, shrimp, knife fish, snakehead, and tilapia production. In her current role, she trains and mentors undergraduate students in aquaculture techniques such as fish grading, sampling, and production calculations, and develops hands-on instructional activities for beginner courses. She further facilitates knowledge transfer between research and farm operations through practical demonstrations, daily supervision, and by providing recommendations to address production challenges, including predator management and system improvements.
