As a young man, Myron Kebus would stash his fishing gear in the Free Press satchel he used for his daily paper route, strap it to his handlebars, and bike to the Detroit River.

“I was very interested in fish,” said Kebus, who grew up on the city’s east side. “I drew fish. I went fishing. I wrote about fish. I ate fish. I dreamt about fish.”

When he decided to go to veterinary school, he wanted to specialize in fish. However, few such programs existed. But Kebus persisted.

“I loved fish. I loved veterinary medicine. I wanted to combine the two. And I did it despite the advice of most people,” he recalled.

Now regarded as a worldwide expert in aquaculture, Kebus joined MSU as an assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine in fall 2022. He collaborates with fish producers, researchers, and veterinarians in Michigan and beyond to strengthen fish health and train more veterinarians in aquaculture.