backResearcher Profile

Patrick T.K. Woo

Job Title: Professor
Employer: University of Guelph
Place of Birth: Telok Anson, Perak, Malaysia
Public School attended: Anglo Chinese School
High School attended: St. Stephen's College
Further Education: University of British Columbia (B.Sc., M.Sc.), University of Guelph (Ph.D.).
Geographic focus of research: British Columbia, Brazil, Venezuela, Spain, Korea, Malaysia

Brief synopsis of current research:
Haemoflagellates of vertebrates, their biology and transmission, host-parasite relationships including disease mechanism(s), and the development of protective strategies against Cryptobia (Trypanoplasma) salmositica and salmonid cryptobiosis.

E-mail:
pwoo@uoguelph.ca

Website:
www.uoguelph.ca/~pwoo/woo.htm

Recent Publications:

Woo, P.T.K. 1994. Flagellate parasites of fish. In:"Parasitic Protozoa" (2nd edition), Volume 8 (ed. J.P. Kreier), pages 1-80, Academic Press, New York, USA

Woo, P.T.K. 1998. Protection against Cryptobia (Trypanoplasma) salmositica and salmonid cryptobiosis. Parasitology Today 14: 272-277.

Woo, P.T.K. (ed.) 1995. "Fish Diseases and Disorders, Volume 1: Protozoan and Metazoan Infections", CAB International, Oxon, UK. 808 pages

Leatherland, J.F. & Woo, P.T.K. (eds.) 1998. "Fish Diseases and Disorders, Volume 2: Non-infectious Disorders", CAB International, Oxon, UK. 386 pages

Woo, P.T.K. & Bruno, D.W. (eds.) 1999. "Fish Diseases and Disorders, Volume 3: Viral, Bacterial and Fungal Infections", CAB International, Oxon, UK. 874 pages

Comments:
Fin fish is a very important primary source of protein for humans, especially in developing countries. The catch-fish industry has declined significantly due to a series of factors, and they include over fishing, loss of fish habitats and environmental pollution. In the last few decades numerous international agencies and national governments have encouraged and continue to encourage the development of aquaculture. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations, the global aquaculture industry is expected to increase by about 15% per year for the next 10 years. At present, Canada's contribution to the world aquaculture market is insignificant (estimates vary from 0.3-5%); if we are to increase our market share we would need to attract and retain large numbers of well-trained scientists and management experts in the aquatic sciences.