Luke Roy, Ph.D.

Luke Roy, Ph.D.

  • Extension Professor
  • Assistant School Director of AFFC Operations
  • School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences
(334) 624-4016
royluke@auburn.edu
Alabama Fish Farming Center
Google Scholar
LinkedIn
ResearchGate Profile
Dr. Roy is originally from Michigan, but grew up in Uruguay. He moved to Alabama to attend Samford University in Birmingham, where he earned a B.S. in Environmental Science and Geographical Information Systems. He later received a M.S. in Soil and Water Science from the University of California, Riverside, and a Ph.D. in Fisheries & Aquaculture from Auburn University (AU). Following completion of his graduate work, Dr. Roy accepted a position as a Research Fellow with AU, based at the Alabama Fish Farming Center (AFFC) in west Alabama, where most of Alabama's commercial aquaculture farms and industry are located. Following this role, Dr. Roy served as an Extension Aquaculture Specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for nearly 4 years before returning to AU as a faculty member in 2017. Currently, Dr. Roy is an Extension Professor and serves as the Director of AFFC Operations in the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences at AU. Throughout his career, his research and Extension programs have focused on aquaculture production, alternative pond-based production systems, water quality, aquatic animal nutrition, and the impact of bird depredation on aquaculture. Dr. Roy's work has helped answer research questions and provided technical assistance to the U.S. catfish, baitfish, sportfish, and inland low-salinity aquaculture sectors. In addition to promoting domestic aquaculture production in the U.S., he is interested in rural aquaculture community development, particularly in Latin America.

Education

  • Ph.D.Auburn University2006

  • M.S.University of California, Riverside2002

  • B.S.Samford University2000

Professional Experience

  • Extension Professor, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, & Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University. Stationed at the Alabama Fish Farming Center, Greensboro, Alabama (2023 - present)
  • Associate Extension Professor, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, & Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University. Stationed at the Alabama Fish Farming Center, Greensboro, Alabama (2017 - 2023)
  • Assistant School Director for AFFC Operations, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, & Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University. Stationed at the Alabama Fish Farming Center (AFFC), Greensboro, Alabama (2021 - present)
  • Extension Aquaculture Specialist, Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Stationed off campus at the UAPB Lonoke Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Lonoke, Arkansas (2013 - 2017)
  • Research Fellow, Department of Fisheries & Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University. Stationed at the Alabama Fish Farming Center, Greensboro, Alabama (2006 - 2013)

Research

My research activities are most often driven by the immediate needs of Alabama commercial aquaculture, in response to emerging industry and stakeholder issues. Being stationed off campus, in the heart of the Alabama catfish and inland marine shrimp industries, I am involved in the transfer of emerging technology to fish producers and research demonstrations on commercial farms. Aquaculture production using traditional and alternative production technology, water quality, aquatic animal nutrition, and the impacts of bird depredation on aquaculture, are the primary focus areas of my research program. While I have worked with catfish and marine shrimp most often, I have conducted research with many commercially important species including largemouth bass, bluegill, blue crab, golden shiners, and several other freshwater and marine species. In addition to research activities, my laboratory provides field and logistical support to graduate students, scientists, and faculty conducting applied research on commercial farms in west Alabama. For a list of research publications, please see my profile on either Google Scholar or ResearchGate.

Extension Experience

My Extension programs and activities focus on providing support to commercial aquaculture producers and the aquaculture industry in west Alabama. My primary Extension programs include catfish aquaculture and inland low salinity aquaculture. In my role as a fisheries Extension faculty member stationed at the Alabama Fish Farming Center, I serve as a liaison between the fish farming industry and faculty on campus at Auburn University. The primary goal of my Extension programs is to enhance the biological and economical sustainability of Alabama and U.S. aquaculture industries.