Aquaculture efforts in fish diseases is one program helping to put university on the forefront

K entucky State University is defying a national trend and climbing its way up the national rankings in higher education research and development. According to the recently published National Science Foundation (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development Survey, KSU ranks 375th out of 640 institutions reporting research expenditures. KSU's ranking has climbed eight positions from the previous year when it ranked 383rd.

The NSF survey shows funding for research and development in higher education has declined by 1.7 percent between the fiscal year 2014 and fiscal year 2015. KSU research and development expenditures increased six percent in the same period. Among 1890 Land Grant institutions, KSU was one of six schools to see an increase in research and development expenditures. It ranked 66th out of 202 reporting institutions for expenditures in agricultural science.

percent between the fiscal year 2014 and fiscal year 2015. KSU research and development expenditures increased six percent in the same period. Among 1890 Land Grant institutions, KSU was one of six schools to see an increase in research and development expenditures. It ranked 66th out of 202 reporting institutions for expenditures in agricultural science.

Dr. Robert Durborow, professor and state Extension specialist for aquaculture who also serves as interim assistant research director for the Land Grant Program, is proud of the work of the university's research community.

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Dr. Durborow is a fish pathologist and the director of KSU's Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. In addition to teaching online and on-campus classes in fish diseases and water quality management at the undergraduate and graduate levels, Dr. Durborow and his students diagnose about 50 cases a year and advise fish farmers on how to treat and prevent the diseases identified in the lab. These treatments include feeding medicated feed and administering legal chemical treatments to the water. Dr. Durborow and his team also test water samples and advise pond owners on how to treat their water for best management. Water treatments include pulverized agricultural limestone, salt, gypsum, potassium permanganate, copper sulfate, and formalin. He also performs fish health inspections required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture/APHIS, state veterinary services in states where Kentucky fish producers sell their crop, and/or private hatcheries in order to prevent the transport of diseases across state lines.

Dr. Durborow and his team also test water samples and advise pond owners on how to treat their water for best management. Water treatments include pulverized agricultural limestone, salt, gypsum, potassium permanganate, copper sulfate, and formalin. He also performs fish health inspections required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture/APHIS, state veterinary services in states where Kentucky fish producers sell their crop, and/or private hatcheries in order to prevent the transport of diseases across state lines.