Meet the Expert: LaDon Swann, PhD

Dr. LaDon Swann is the Director and Associate Professor of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture at Auburn University. Dr. Swann’s research includes production technologies involved in the farming of the eastern oyster and hard clam in the Mobile Bay region, and estuarine habitat restoration and marine finfish aquaculture using land-based and offshore aquaculture technologies. We wanted to know a little more about Dr. Swann, so we asked him a few questions.

What is one interesting fact about yourself?

I hold the Alabama state record for catching a Cubera Snapper, which weighed in at 94.2 lbs. I caught that fish in 2015.

What three words best describe you?

Persistent, compassionate and fair.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Fishing, woodworking and gardening.

What’s the last good book you read?

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath.

What are you currently working on?

A regional red snapper research program.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

I’d want to have super speed, like The Flash. I had two hips replaced over a six-month period of time and I’m looking forward to having the mobility I had years ago. I may not be The Flash yet, but I’ll be faster with more mobility than I had!