We would like to pay tribute to an amazing scientist and mentor, Dr. Serge I. Doroshov the “father of sturgeon aquaculture” in North America. A title he himself never claimed.
Dr. Doroshov was born in western Siberia, Russia in 1937. He lost his father and mother at a very young age. Overcoming the challenges he faced, Dr. Doroshov excelled academically. He received his B.S. and M.S degrees in 1959 in Zoology from the University of Moscow and his Ph.D. in Biology from the Institute of Oceanology, Academy of Science, Moscow in 1967. Dr. Doroshov’s commitment to the evolution and innovation of aquaculture has left an everlasting mark on the industry and scientific community.
In 1975, Dr. Doroshov began work as an Aquaculture Expert for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Even though he was not a member of the Communist Party, Dr. Doroshov was allowed to travel to many countries, including Japan, France, Britain, and Canada. While working in Cuba on marine fish breeding, Dr. Doroshov and his family (wife Julia, son Paul, and daughter Tanya) decided not to return to the USSR. Dr. Doroshov accepted a faculty position in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis (UCD) in 1978. He taught upper division courses in aquatic animal reproductive physiology and fish production. These two classes were the mainstay for the many aquaculture undergraduate and graduate students he mentored throughout his career.
At UCD, Dr. Doroshov initially studied larval swim bladder physiology, developed protocols for induced spawning of channel catfish its hybrids, assisted in the development of hatchery production of wild striped bass, which led to a long-term program for the annual production of several million yearling striped bass.
In 1979, he began his work with reproductive physiology and broodstock development of white sturgeon which in 1987, led to the formation of the UCD/Industry Broodstock Development Committee and the Hatchery Manual for White Sturgeon being published in 1988.
He was granted six white sturgeon projects which were instrumental in the development of commercial sturgeon aquaculture worldwide. In 1994, the industry achieved their independence from wild broodstock, and caviar production in the US began. Subsequent research focused on the long-term management of domestic broodstock, efficient caviar production, and improvements to caviar quality. During this time, his research program also expanded to include the development of reproductive and hatchery techniques for threatened green sturgeon and the endangered Delta smelt.
Dr. Doroshov was Director of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Program at UC Davis from 1995 to 1998. He is one of the founding members of the World Sturgeon Conservation Society as well as of the North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society. He co-chaired the 4th International Symposium on Sturgeons which was held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 2001.
During his career, Dr. Doroshov received several prestigious awards. In 1998, he received the California Aquaculture Association Distinguished Service Award, and in 2000, he received the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award by the World Aquaculture Association. Dr. Doroshov authored over 150 peer-reviewed scientific papers and books.
He mentored hundreds of students, many of whom continue in aquaculture and academic careers. His accomplishments have influenced and inspired countless scientists and students.
Dr. Doroshov passed away peacefully on September 26, 2020 with his children by his side. He will be missed beyond measure by his family, his friends, his colleagues, and his students. His contributions to science are timeless.
Contributers: Joel Van Eenennaam, Ken Beer, Paul Doroshov, Graham Young, Leo Ray, Jim Parsons, and Molly Webb.
Dr. Doroshov was born in western Siberia, Russia in 1937. He lost his father and mother at a very young age. Overcoming the challenges he faced, Dr. Doroshov excelled academically. He received his B.S. and M.S degrees in 1959 in Zoology from the University of Moscow and his Ph.D. in Biology from the Institute of Oceanology, Academy of Science, Moscow in 1967. Dr. Doroshov’s commitment to the evolution and innovation of aquaculture has left an everlasting mark on the industry and scientific community.
In 1975, Dr. Doroshov began work as an Aquaculture Expert for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Even though he was not a member of the Communist Party, Dr. Doroshov was allowed to travel to many countries, including Japan, France, Britain, and Canada. While working in Cuba on marine fish breeding, Dr. Doroshov and his family (wife Julia, son Paul, and daughter Tanya) decided not to return to the USSR. Dr. Doroshov accepted a faculty position in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis (UCD) in 1978. He taught upper division courses in aquatic animal reproductive physiology and fish production. These two classes were the mainstay for the many aquaculture undergraduate and graduate students he mentored throughout his career.
At UCD, Dr. Doroshov initially studied larval swim bladder physiology, developed protocols for induced spawning of channel catfish its hybrids, assisted in the development of hatchery production of wild striped bass, which led to a long-term program for the annual production of several million yearling striped bass.
In 1979, he began his work with reproductive physiology and broodstock development of white sturgeon which in 1987, led to the formation of the UCD/Industry Broodstock Development Committee and the Hatchery Manual for White Sturgeon being published in 1988.
He was granted six white sturgeon projects which were instrumental in the development of commercial sturgeon aquaculture worldwide. In 1994, the industry achieved their independence from wild broodstock, and caviar production in the US began. Subsequent research focused on the long-term management of domestic broodstock, efficient caviar production, and improvements to caviar quality. During this time, his research program also expanded to include the development of reproductive and hatchery techniques for threatened green sturgeon and the endangered Delta smelt.
Dr. Doroshov was Director of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Program at UC Davis from 1995 to 1998. He is one of the founding members of the World Sturgeon Conservation Society as well as of the North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society. He co-chaired the 4th International Symposium on Sturgeons which was held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 2001.
During his career, Dr. Doroshov received several prestigious awards. In 1998, he received the California Aquaculture Association Distinguished Service Award, and in 2000, he received the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award by the World Aquaculture Association. Dr. Doroshov authored over 150 peer-reviewed scientific papers and books.
He mentored hundreds of students, many of whom continue in aquaculture and academic careers. His accomplishments have influenced and inspired countless scientists and students.
Dr. Doroshov passed away peacefully on September 26, 2020 with his children by his side. He will be missed beyond measure by his family, his friends, his colleagues, and his students. His contributions to science are timeless.
Contributers: Joel Van Eenennaam, Ken Beer, Paul Doroshov, Graham Young, Leo Ray, Jim Parsons, and Molly Webb.
