Education & Biographical Sketch

William A. Wurts, Ph.D,

wurtswa@gmail.com

Education

Texas A&M University.  Ph.D.  1987.  Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences – aquaculture, applied physiology, and production biology.

Texas A&M University.  M.Ag.  1981.  Fisheries Science -- aquaculture.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.  Graduate Studies.  1975-1978.  Medical sciences. Graduate course work (68 hours) which included: biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, cell biology, pathology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, genetics, et.al.

University of Texas at Austin.  B.A. -- summa cum laude.  1975.  Biology major and chemistry minor.  Awarded memberships in Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi.

Biographical Sketch

William A. Wurts received his doctorate from Texas A&MUniversity in 1987.  Research and academics focused on aquaculture, physiology and growth biology. He received his Master of Agriculture in Fisheries Science from Texas A&MUniversity in 1981.  Dr. Wurts studied graduate medical sciences at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas from 1975-1978.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts with Highest Honors from the University of Texas at Austin (1975) and was awarded memberships in the Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi academic honors societies. Recent work focused on feeding practices, stabilizing water quality, and low-input, small-scale and home-use aquaculture. Past research included applied physiology with marine, freshwater, and euryhaline species as well as effects of hardness and alkalinity on copper toxicity to aquatic life.    He has developed several technologies for the aquaculture industry.

As Senior State Specialist for Aquaculture at Kentucky StateUniversity, he provided education and consultation for Cooperative Extension professionals, producers, and the public about aquaculture and water quality management. He designed, planned, and conducted field research and on-farm demonstrations. His programs collaboratively helped to facilitate the development of an aquaculture industry with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, government agencies, and other organizations. 

Areas of specialization include aquaculture, airlift pumps, applied physiology, aquatic biochemistry/chemistry, ecosystem management, production biology and nutrition.  Interests encompass sustainable aquaculture, growth biology, pond dynamics, improving systems efficiency, and waste nutrient recapture through polyculture.