As a faculty member with AVC's Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Dr. Fast will focus on in-depth research and education in the area of fish health, a unique and quickly emerging study in veterinary medicine. Dr. Fast, who was previously an Assistant Professor in Aquatic Diseases and Immunology at Stony Brook University’s renowned School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences in New York, joined the Atlantic Veterinary College in February 2010.

Dr. Fast’s role as the Novartis Research Chair in Fish Health will build on the Atlantic Veterinary College’s globally recognized aquatic species health expertise which include an OIE Reference Laboratory for ISA, the AVC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences and the AVC Lobster Science Centre. The addition of the Novartis Research Chair in Fish Health enables the Atlantic Veterinary College to move closer to its goal of becoming the world’s leading academic-based aquatics institution.

Dr. Fast holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from Dalhousie University, a Master of Science degree from the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI and a PhD from Dalhousie University. Dr. Fast was also a post-doctoral researcher at the National Research Council Institute for Marine Biology’s Fish Health Laboratory. Dr. Fast is the recipient of various awards and funding grants, has an active publication record and has contributed to the training of future researchers through supervising graduate students.