Professor Margaret Crumlish

Professor

Institute of Aquaculture Stirling,

Professor Margaret Crumlish

Contact details

About me

My research interests are in the fields of aquatic microbial diseases, particularly bacterial infections of economic importance in global aquaculture. I study the identification and pathogenesis of bacterial infections that cause clinical disease outbreaks within a wide range of fish and shrimp farming systems. My current research activities include: vaccine development in farmed Pangasius catfish as an alternative to antibiotics, identification of Group B Streptococcal infections in fish and as food borne infections, development of rapid diagnostics for detection of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections in farmed seafood. The bacteria I am currently working on include motile Aeromonads, Vibrios, Streptococci, and Edwardsiella. My overall approach is to provide efficacious solutions to tackle infectious diseases within global aquaculture systems.

My research interests focus on aquatic bacterial pathogenesis, so I am keen to identify and understand the mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens can cause disease in aquatic animals. I use a range of methods including, field (quantitative) and laboratory (analytical) based techniques as well as qualitative-based research tools in my projects. This approach enables practical and efficacious disease prevention strategies to be developed and presented to the final end-user in a way they can understand and adopt. My research spans all vertebrate and invertebrate farmed species in global aquaculture with specific expertise in Tilapia, Catfish species (Pangasius and Clarias), warm water shrimp and farmed salmonids. My recent interests have expanded to improve microbial safety in our farmed seafood.

Event / Presentation

Past, Present and Future Diseases of Asian Catfish species Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

An oral presentation in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam at the international Diseases of Asian Aquaculture Conference.

Conference Chair and Invited Speaker

Conference Chair for Health session and invited speaker at Vietnamese conference International Conference on Aquaculture 2024: Panoramic View of Innovations, 17-19th October Vietnam.

Other Academic Activities

FAO Risk Profile Report Group B Streptococcus (GBS)
https://doi.org/10.4060/cb5067en

Other Project

OP Funded Research Project: PERCEPTIONS OF FARMED FISH WELFARE BY DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS, MKD VIETNAM

This project will provide insights of knowledge, practices and attitudes related to farmed fish welfare within the small-scale aquaculture supply chain in the Mekong Delta Vietnam. Snakehead aquaculture will be used as a model for small-scale aquaculture in the region. The outputs of the project will provide the current status with respect to attitudes toward and understanding of fish welfare by small-scale farmers and the downstream supply chain, indicating potential areas to be addressed in future projects. The sampling of water quality and information from snakehead aquaculture will also provide initial evidence of whether current practices adequately incorporate considerations of fish welfare. Overall, welfare perception in small-scale aquaculture will be elucidated in order to contribute to the future improvement of fish welfare in the region.

Op Funded Research Project PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS FISH VACCINATION IN THAILAND
National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

The purpose of this study is to gain insights into the perceptions and attitudes of significant players in Thai fish aquaculture, including fish farmers, suppliers, government agencies, and scientists, with regard to fish vaccination. The understanding gained from this research can help identify barriers to the adoption of vaccination for farmed fish, as well as highlight areas for improvement and potential solutions to further encourage the use of safe and effective vaccines in fish farming. The welfare of fish populations can be improved by increasing the uptake of vaccinations in the country, which will reduce the likelihood of fish illness, mortality, and the need for potentially harmful treatments.

University Contribution

British Council PGT Scholarships for Women in STEM
The British Council

British Council Women in STEM Fellowships (ECR)
The British Council

Athena SWAN Bronze Award (Aquaculture)

This is the first Athena SWAN award for the Institute of Aquaculture in recognition of the equality, diversity and inclusion activities.

Research programmes