Stephen A. (Ash) Bullard - profile information

Research

Professional interests & areas of expertise:

I am a parasitologist who trains students as field biologists, analytical researchers, diagnosticians, teachers, and scholars of parasitology. We explore taxonomy, systematics, and parasite biology by collecting parasites, symbionts, and pathogens in association with invertebrates and vertebrates in rivers, lakes, estuaries, and oceanic localities nearby and abroad. We use these approaches to ask the biggest question: “What organism does this?” What follows comprises applied and basic lines of investigation relevant to agencies and biologists with whom we collaborate.

Aquatic Parasitology Laboratory:

APL is housed within the CASIC Building on Auburn University’s main campus. APL comprises offices, numerous dissecting and compound microscopes variously equipped with differential interference contrast optics and drawing tubes, molecular laboratory, histopathology laboratory, wet laboratory, parasite collection, parasitology reference library, marine fish collection, field and fishing gear, trucks, and boats. The main objective of the APL is to explore the taxonomy, systematics, life histories, and pathological effects of parasites (including metazoan and protozoan parasites, microbes, viruses, and other commensals) that infect and/or associate with aquatic animals.

Southeastern Cooperative Fish Parasite & Disease Project:

The Cooperative has been hosted by the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences and Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources continuously since 1964. It offers assistance to state and federal agencies concerning fish diseases and aquatic animal health through cooperative research, grants, and contracts. We have existing annual or 5-year agreements with most of the cognizant state natural resource agencies in the Southeastern US.