Speakers

Bio

My name is Scott Fellman, and I’m the consummate reef geek! I bleed saltwater! Much of my life centers around tweaking my protein skimmer, scraping algae, cleaning spills, or figuring out how to unglue my fingers. I’ve been keeping saltwater aquariums since I was 12 years old. I love this hobby and the people in it!

I’ve mentored fellow hobbyists since 2002 on Bob Fenner’s WetWebMedia.com site, and I was Co-Editor of WWM’s Conscientious Aquarist online magazine. I’ve written several articles for Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Magazine, “C” Journal, and other online venues.

In addition to speaking at clubs throughout the country, I am past President of my local club, the Marine Aquarium Society of Los Angeles County, present at MACNA XIX in Pittsburgh, IMAC 2008 in Chicago, MACNA XX in Atlanta, and will be speaking at MACNA in Atlantic City. I have spoken at many clubs throughout the nation. I’m really trying to complete a book on marine biotope aquaria and aquascaping before this century is over!

When I’m not trying to replicate the ocean in my aquarium, I’m usually surfing at my local beach-my other obsession. I reside in the Los Angeles area.

Bio

Robert (Bob) Fenner is a content provider to the pet-fish (ornamental) aquatics hobby and trade, dive/travel adventure and underwater natural history genres; writing, photography and videography. Though retired since 1994, he continues to produce in this field as well as consult on aquaculture and public aquarium installations. Bob has "lived" the science, hobby and business of aquatics in the Philippines, Japan and United States. All phases; collector, wholesale, jobber, retail, design, construction and maintenance. All levels; manager, owner, hatchery worker, retail clerk, technician. Except for a stint teaching high school sciences for four years, he has worked all his life in the field of ornamental aquatics.

Academic experience includes fifteen years of college, a couple of life science degrees and a teaching credential for chemistry, physics and biology. Published works include several studies on aquatic biological and chemical questions, and an extensive book and article publishing (helped author a few books, The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, Fishwatcher's Guide to the Tropical Marine Aquarium Fishes of the World, Natural Marine Aquariums Reef Invertebrates...) and photographic background in aquatic industry and hobby fields. Have taught High School sciences and Marine Sciences and Aquariology courses at the State University, University of California levels.

Bob has been an avid aquatic hobbyist since day one and is active in hobbyist and scientific organizations. He has served on numerous Boards, judged shows and given many programs. Helped form and run (President) of the employee-owned corporation, Nature Etc., Inc. in San Diego, started in 1973; a turn-key operation in the field of ornamental aquatics, designing and building ponds, lakes, fountains and waterfalls (Aquatic Environments), designing, installing custom aquarium systems and maintenance (Aquatic Life Services), and operating retail outlets (Wet Pets).... currently does consulting, content provision to the trade, sciences and hobby of aquaristics.

Bio

Christine Williams is a research scientist specializing in microbiology. Her current position keeps her in the laboratory for marine bioprospecting and the search for naturally derived biologically active molecules, but she has spent significant time in the veterinary world including clinical laboratory diagnostics, exotic animal care, and emergency and critical care.

Like many hobbyists, Christine started fishkeeping as a child and has since let her hobby endeavors spur her research pursuits and vice versa, to mutual benefit. Her aquarium interests cover a wide range from freshwater to marine, temperate to tropical, fish and invertebrate alike. Special focus is given to the breeding and reproduction potential of aquarium specimens, piscine and invertebrate immunology, and the treatment of ailing fish.

Christine actively mentors hobbyists on diagnostic pathology and lectures internationally on subjects of aquatic science, and is the editor of "C the Journal of Aquatic Science, Travel and Adventure".