Postdoc recognized by the American Society of Parasitologists
A postdoctoral fellow in the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences recently received the highest national honor bestowed upon early-career researchers in the field of parasitology.
Micah “Brett” Warren received the American Society of Parasitologists’ Ashton Cuckler New Investigator Award, which is awarded to a single investigator who has demonstrated excellence in parasitological research. The award is bestowed based on merit and not necessarily every year.
Warren is currently a postdoctoral fellow in Alumni Professor Ash Bullard’s laboratory and a key researcher involved in the Southeastern Cooperative Fish Parasite and Disease Project in the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences. Warren earned his Master of Science at Auburn in 2019. He was awarded an Auburn University Presidential Fellowship during his doctoral program, and he was conferred the doctorate in 2023.
While a student, he published 27 scientific articles in peer-reviewed national and international journals in parasitology and fish health. He is now regarded as an expert on several groups of fish parasites, many of which are economically impactful to inland (pond-based) and marine aquaculture production, fisheries management, and sportfish restoration.
He is also a senior member of the Southeastern Cooperative Fish Parasite and Disease Project, of which he has been a major contributor for nearly 10 years. Currently being led by Lab Manager Haley Dutton, it has active grants and contracts with natural resource agencies in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri and Kentucky.
“Brett’s dedication to this lab regarding scholarship and service is outstanding,” Dutton said. “He is a big part of why we continue to grow and expand our ability to do good work with more partners.”
The cooperative project has long served in an advisory and support role to fisheries biologists, hatchery managers, fisheries managers, and large and small fish farmers, and it is now in its fifth year of highly cooperative fish health research with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Health Laboratory in Warm Springs, Georgia.
Bullard, who was Warren’s doctoral advisor, won the same award in 2008.
“Brett loves Auburn and is passionate about pushing us forward,” Bullard said. “He’s an invaluable member of our team here; he wants Auburn to win, and he really cares about helping the College of Ag and School of Fisheries reach the most folks.”
Warren said his achievement is a reminder of Auburn’s role as a leader in the field of Parasitology and Fish Health. His dedication to scientific discovery exemplifies the university’s mission of innovation, excellence, and advancing knowledge that impacts both science and industry.
