Students at the undergraduate and graduate level can, and are encouraged to, participate in research at Kentucky State University.

Graduate student James Brown and recent graduate Dawson Armstrong have both taken advantage of research opportunities. Brown is earning his master’s degree in aquatic sciences and should graduate in the fall. Armstrong is a recent graduate who majored in agriculture, food & environment with a concentration in aquaculture. Armstrong’s research placed third in the Kentucky Academy of Sciences agriculture competition in 2020. 

Both have conducted research on floating raceway systems, a method of producing fish that has gained “lots of attention in the last several decades and has been adopted throughout the country,” Brown said.

Raceway systems have continuously flowing water, which sets them apart from other production systems and removes waste as it replenishes water content and overall water quality, Brown explained. 

“With these added benefits, a producer can produce much more fish than the more traditional systems like pond culture,” Brown said.

Brown said his research focuses on comparing the flow rates produced from different aerator types in raceway systems. 

Armstrong said the research he conducted was a proof of concept that largemouth bass fry can be successfully grown in the first phase of their life in a floating raceway. 

“Showing that largemouth bass fry can be grown in a floating nursery that is low cost, easily accessible, labor efficient, and with many other advantages was very encouraging, as many further studies can be done on this concept,” Armstrong said. 

Brown said the most rewarding aspect of the research has been the fabrication of the systems. 

“I feel that most research projects are usually ‘add-ons’ to previous research performed, and systems are usually already set in place for the student,” Brown said. “With my project, we have had to start from scratch; my first year as a graduate student was spent actually building the systems we now have in place. Even now, near the end of my study, we are still building and adjusting our system and have been doing so since I entered the program in 2018.”

Armstrong said being able to conduct this project with the help of Dr. Ken Semmens and the team was special. 

“To my knowledge, nobody has conducted a study locally in the U.S. about growing largemouth bass fry in a floating raceway/nursery,” Armstrong said. “Showing that it can be done successfully is very encouraging. I hope others will be able to look at my research and conduct further studies on the production of largemouth bass fry in a raceway.”

Brown said he has always heard of raceway systems and shared some interest in the production of the systems. 

“Having the opportunity to build and manage these systems gives me the confidence needed to implement raceway technology for myself,” Brown said. “I plan on owning my own aquaculture operation one day, and because of my current research experience, I would be surprised if I did not include raceway technology.” 

Armstrong said after graduation, he plans to keep working in the fisheries division. 

“I hope one day the hatchery that I will be working at will consider using my methods of the floating nursery,” Armstrong said.