John A. Plumb, PhD., one of the foremost authorities on infectious diseases of fish, is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University, Alabama. He has taught graduate courses in fish microbial diseases, investigates viral and bacterial diseases of fish, leads the Southeastern Cooperative Fish Disease Project, and advises internationally.

Dr. Plumb is past president of the Fish Health Section of the American Fisheries Society. Widely published, Plumb has also served on the editorial board of The Progressive Fish Culturist and co-edited the Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, and currently is editorial advisor for Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. His awards include the Distinguished Service Award from the Catfish Farmers of America and the S.F. Snieszko Distinguished Service Award from the Fish Health Section of the American Fisheries Society.