Distinguished Professor of Science and Technology, Fellow of the Royal and
World Academies Kraków, Poland AGH University Krakow, Poland

Corresponding author email: dobrowol@agh.edu.pl

Article Publishing History

INTRODUCTION

With a heavy heart, I am writing this tribute to my longtime colleague and friend, Dr. Konrad Dabrowolski, Professor of Animal Sciences and a world-renowned fisheries expert from Ohio State University, Ohio, USA. Prof  Konrad Dabrowolski passed away on 25^th June 2025 in Ohio, USA.

He was one of the best experts in innovative fisheries (also included in pilot projects focused on introducing new, more efficient species of fish through biotechnology for highly efficient freshwater fish cultivation and prevention of malnutrition and improving nutritional health) in some regions of developing countries (including inhabitants of the high mountain regions in Peru.

From a young age, Prof Konrad knew he wanted to dedicate his life to the natural sciences. In 1972, he obtained his Master of Science in Inland Fisheries from the Agricultural University in Olsztyn, Poland. In 1976, he earned his Ph.D. from the same university with his thesis “Utilization of On-Protein Nitrogen in Common Carp Nutrition”. In 1984, he obtained his Doctorate of Science from the Agricultural University in Szczecin, Poland. His postdoctoral research led him to various places, such as the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, the National Institute of Aquaculture Laboratory of Fish Nutrition in France, the University of Fisheries in Japan, the Institute of Zoology in Austria, and finally the Ohio State University, where he joined as a professor in 1989. Prof Konrad was a skilled researcher with a passion for education-both as a teacher and as a student. While his research took him from Peru to Egypt and everywhere in between, his family was a firm anchor in the Tatra Mountains of Southern Poland. Konrad and his family took trips to visit Poland frequently to keep the strong heritage he was proud of.

I do hope that his contributions and highly rated scientific publications will be the source of very useful information for training experts in innovative fishing, especially for developing countries in different regions of the world. I am convinced that this information may also be useful for the scientific community at large. It will be beneficial for disseminating information about his great achievements, particularly useful for qualitative and quantitative progress in breeding fish, as the main source of food proteins in many poor regions of developing countries.

I started with my colleague and long-term scientific partner, Prof. Dr. K. Dabrowski, experimental studies focused on the influence of different chemical, physical, and biological factors in the aquatic environment on the most sensitive, early stages of development of tested animals.   This dates back to when I was a doctoral student and he was a diploma student more than 55 years ago, and later on, we developed cooperation related to interdisciplinary studies and problem-solving training on the sustainable management of biological resources. I remember the period when I was chairman of the 1st National Committee of University Youth of Environmental Protection,  Poland, and he chaired the Branch of this Committee for another region of Poland, including his University of Agriculture and Technology.

Prof Dabrowolski carried out  his creative research activity in some European countries, Japan, and for the last many decades in USA   He was a leading expert in the modernization of  carp culture in USA and he introduced many innovative biotechnologies very useful for the prevention of malnutrition in some regions of Latin America, Peru, Central Africa, and Asia. Prof. Dabrowski trained many doctors and professors in this field from developing and developed countries, and he introduced innovative genetic modification for the synthesis of vitamin C by fish as an efficient contribution to the nutritional prevention of common iron-deficiency anemia.

One of his international students, Dr Telat Yanik of Ataturk University, Turkey, states that I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Professor Dr. Konrad Dabrowski. As an international PhD student under his supervision in 1992-1994, I had the privilege of receiving not only his academic guidance but also his support, which made a profound difference in my academic journey.Professor Dabrowski was more than a supervisor to me; he was a mentor, a source of encouragement, and someone who genuinely cared about his students’ progress and well-being. His passion for research, his dedication to teaching, and his ability to engage meaningfully with students from diverse backgrounds made him truly exceptional. He created an environment in which I felt welcomed, challenged, and supported—something I will always be grateful for. I know his passing is a great loss to the department and to the academic community. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, and kindly extend my sympathies to his family and to all of his colleagues and friends. With deepest respect and sympathy, Prof. Dr. Telat YANIK, Dean, Atatürk University Fisheries Faculty, Aquaculture Department, Erzurum / Turkey. I do hope that related bibliographical data will be useful to you and your scientific partners in different countries.

Details Of His Academic Achievements Are As Follows:

Professor Dr. Konrad Dąbrowski

School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University

Education and  Training

M.Sc., 1972    Major: Inland Fisheries; Agriculture University, Olsztyn, Poland

Ph.D., 1976     Major: Fisheries; Agriculture University, Olsztyn, Poland

D.Sc., 1984     Major: Fish Physiology; Agricultural University, Szczecin, Poland

Research and  Professional Experience

1989-till June 2025     Professor at – School of Natural Resources, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. Courtesy appointments:          Department of Animal Science, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology

1987-1989 Visiting Professor- Institute of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

1985    Visiting Professor – Department of Biology, University of Paris VII, Orsey, France

1984-1985- Visiting Professor – Department of Aquaculture, Japanese Society for Promotion of Science, Tokyo, University of Fisheries, Tokyo, Japan

1976-1977 -Post-Doctoral Fellowship – The University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, U.K.

1984-1987-Associate Professor – Inland Fisheries and Water Protection, Agricultural University,  Olsztyn, Poland

1972-1984-Assistant Professor – Inland Fisheries and Water Protection, Agricultural University  Olsztyn, Poland

Synergistic Activities   Of Prof K Dabrowolski

Patents:

• Dabrowski, K. and K.J. Lee 2002. Dietary formulations including peptides.  Patent Application.  August 31, 2002. 
• Babiak, I. and K. Dabrowski. 2003. Chimeric fish and methods of producing them.  Patent Application, February 18, 2003. 

Scientific and Professional Organizations:

• American Fisheries Society, World Aquaculture Society, European Aquaculture Society, Scientific Committee of North-Central Regional Aquaculture Center, USDA

 Editorial Boards On Which  Prof K Dabrowolski  Served

• Associate Editor, Frontiers in Physiology, Aquatic Physiology section, 2022- present
• Member: Animal, 2020-present
• Associate Editor, Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 2007- 2010
• Member: Scientific Reports, 2018-present
• Member of the Editorial Board, Aquaculture Nutrition, 2005- 2010
• Member of the Editorial Board, Aquaculture Research, 2005-2010
• Member of the Editorial Board, Aquatic Living Resources, 1987-present
• Member of the Editorial Board, Aquaculture, 1991-2008, 2015-present
• Associate Editor, Progressive Fish Culturist, North American Journal of Aquaculture, 1997-2002
• Member of Editorial Board, Polish Archive of Fisheries, 2001-present

Member of Editorial Board, Korean Journal of Aquaculture, 2002-present

World Ranking  Of Prof Konrad Dobrowolski: Prof Konrad Dabrowolski has authored over 390 peer-reviewed papers and was recently ranked by Stanford University studies (PLOS Biology https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000918) as number 38 (11^th in the USA) out of 28,000 scientists regarding his contribution to Fisheries.

Past Mentees

Fulbright Scholars Under Prof K Dabrowolski

• Atse, Celestin, Ivory Coast Fisheries Institute, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Professor
• Babiak, Igor, Blastomer transplantation in fish-production of chimeras, At present, Professor, Bode University, Norway

Visiting International Scholars of  Prof K Dabrowolski

• Kestemont, P., University of Namur, Namur, Belgium, At present Professor and Chair (1993-1994)
• Ciereszko, A. Institute of Animal Reproduction, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland, Professor (1994-1998)
• Lam, T.J., National University of Singapore, Professor (1999-2000)
• Dobrowolski J.W. AGH Univeristy of Science and Techynology, Krakow, Poland 2000
• Shabana, N., National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries-Aquaculture Devision, Alexandria, Egypt (2013-2014)
• Chojnacki, M., Warsaw University of Life Sciences (2015-2016)
• El Naggar, K., Alexandria University, Egypt, Lecturer (2016-2017)
• El-Sayed M. Hussein, E., University of Minufyia, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt, Professor (2018-2019)
• Arreglado-Mandas, A., Borlaug Fellow, Aquaculture Department, College of Fisheries, Mindanao State University, Santos City, Philippines, Professor(2015-2016)
• Elkassas, S., Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelshikh University, Egypt (2019-2020)
• Fatan, N., Borlaug Fellow, World Fish, Sustainable Aquaculture Program, Research Analyst, Malaysia (2019-2020)

Postdoctoral Fellows Under Prof K Dabrowolski

Drs Satora L., Guz, L.  Babiak, I. Rinchard, J  Arsalan, J.  Arslan, M. Terjesen B, Jaroszewska, M. Haliloglu, I. H. Mzur R.

Graduate Students Under Prof K Dabrowolski

• Hassard, M.Sc., University of Ulster, U.K., 1977-78
• Kozak, M.Sc., Agriculture University, Olsztyn, Poland, 1978-79
• Szoveny, M.Sc., Agriculture University, Olsztyn, Poland, 1978-79
• Poczyczynski, M.Sc., Agriculture University, Olsztyn, Poland, 1980-81
• Doblander, M.Sc., University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria, 1988-89
• Krumschnabel, M.Sc., University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria, 1988-89
• Morrison, M.Sc., Natural Resources, Ohio State University, USA
• Matusiewicz, Ph.D., Zoology, Ohio State University, 1990-1994
• Deyab El-Saidy, Ph.D., University of Manoufia, Egypt; 1991- 1995.
• Blom, Ph.D., Environmental Science Program, Ohio State University, 1991-1995
• Liu Li, Ms.S., Zoology, Ohio State University, 1994-1996.
• Feng, Ph.D., Natural Resources, Ohio State University, USA, 1994- 1998.
• Yackey, C., M.Sc., Natural Resources, Ohio State University, 1996-1998.
• Mbahinziraki, G., Ph.D. Zoology, Ohio State University,  1994-1998.
• Moreau, R., Ph.D., Natural Resources, Ohio State University, 1995-1999.
• Czesny, S., Ph.D., Environmental Science, Ohio State University, 1996-2000.
• Hartman, T., M.Sc., Natural Resources, Ohio State University, 1997- 2001.
• Lee, K-J., Ph.D., Animal Science, Ohio State University, 1998- 2002.
• Penn, M., Ph.D., Natural Resources, Ohio State University, 2001- 2005.
• Wolfe, T., M.Sc., Natural Resources, Ohio State University, 2001- 2005.
• Froschauer, J., M.Sc., Natural Resources, Ohio State University, 2002-2004.
• Rodriguez, G., Ph.D., Natural Resources, Ohio State University, 2002-2006
• Palacios, M.E., M.Sc., Biology, University of San Marcos, Lima, Peru;  2005- 2007
• Zhang, Y., Ph.D., Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2004- 2008
• Bowzer, J., M.Sc., Environmental Science Graduate Program, 2009-2011
• Kwasek, K. PhD., Animal Sciences, Ohio State University, 2006-2012
• Ebtehal Hussein, PhD, Animal Sciences, Ohio State University, 2008- 2012
• Lee, B.J. Ph.D., School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University 2008-2013
• Parker T., M.Sc., School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University 2010-2013
• Wojno, M. Ph.D., Environmental Science Graduate Program, Ohio State University 2008-2014
• Towne, K. M.Sc. School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University 2014-2016
• Alam, M. PhD. School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University 2014-2018
• Kemski, M. PhD. Food Science and Technology, Ohio State University 2013-2018
• Delomas, T. PhD. School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University 2015-2018
• Fisher, K. M.Sc. School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University 2016-2020
• Miller, M.E. PhD. School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University 2016-2020
• Grayson, J.D. PhD. School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University 2016-2020

CONCLUSION

Dr Konrad Dabrowolski’s contributions and highly rated scientific publications will be the source of very useful information for training experts in innovative fishing, especially for developing countries in different regions of the world. I am convinced that this information may also be useful for the scientific community at large. It will be beneficial for disseminating information about his great achievements, particularly useful for qualitative and quantitative progress in breeding fish, as the main source of food proteins in many poor regions of developing countries.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. Agricultural University,  Olsztyn, Poland

Conflict of Interest: None declared

REFERENCES

Publications – Books and book chapters Selected

1.  Kestemont, P., Dabrowski, Summerfelt, R. 2015. Biology and Culture of Percid Fishes. Principles and Practices. Springer, Dordrecht, 901 pp.
2. Zaccone, G., Dabrowski, K., Hedrick, M.S., Fernandes, J.M.O., Icardo, J.M. 2015. Phylogeny, Anatomy and Physiology of Ancient Fishes. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, U.S.A., 297 pp.
3. Jaroszewska M. and Dabrowski, K., 2011. Utilization of yolk: transition from endogenous to exogenous nutrition in fish.  In: Larval Fish Nutrition, First Edition, G. Joan Holt (Ed.), John Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 183-218.
4. Dabrowski, K., and Hardy, R. 2010. Basic and Applied Aspects of Aquaculture Nutrition”, (Eds.), Aquaculture Research 41, Number 5, Wiley-Blackwell.
5. Ostaszewska, T. and Dabrowski, K., 2009:  Early Development of Acipenseriformes (Chondrostei, Actinopterygii). In: Development of Non-Teleost Fish, Y.W. Kunz, C.A. Luer, B.G. Kapoor [Eds.], Science Publishers Inc. pp. 171-230.
6. Jaroszewska M. and Dabrowski, K., 2009: Early ontogeny of Semionotiformes and Amiiformes (Neopterygii: Actinopterygii). In: Development of Non-Teleost Fish, Y.W. Kunz, C.A. Luer, B.G. Kapoor [Eds.], Science Publishers Inc. pp. 231-275.
7. Kamler, E., and K. Dabrowski, [Eds.] 2008: Resource Management. Natural, human and material resources for the sustainable development of aquaculture. Short communications of contribution presented at the International Conference Aquaculture Europe, Krakow, Poland, September 15-18, 2008, pp. 732.
8. Portella, M.C., Dabrowski, K., 2008: Diets, Physiology, Biochemistry and digestive tract development of fresh water fish larvae. In: Cyrino, J.E.P., Bureau, D.P. and Kapoor, B.G. [Eds.], Feeding and Digestive Functions of Fishes, Science Publishers, Inc., pp.227-275.
9. Dabrowski, K., Portella, M.C., 2005. Feeding plasticity and nutritional physiology in tropical fish. In: Val A.L. and Randal D.J. [Eds], Fish Physiology, volume 21, pp.155-224.
10. Dabrowski, K., S. Czesny and M. Matusiewicz.  2002. Coregonids. In: Nutrient Requirements and Feeding of Finfish for Aquaculture. [Eds. C.D. Webster and C. Lim], pp. 230-244.
11.  Dabrowski, K. and H. Guderley. 2002. Intermediary metabolism. In: J.E. Halver and R. Hardy, [Eds.], Elsevier Science, USA, pp. 309-365.
12. Dabrowski, K. 2001. Preface. [Ed.] Ascorbic Acid in Aquatic Organisms: Status and Perspectives.  CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 288. 
13. Dabrowski, K. 2001.  Past, present and future of ascorbic acid research in aquatic organisms.  In: Ascorbic Acid in Aquatic Organisms, Boca Raton, CRC Press, 255-277.
14. Kestemont, P. and K. Dabrowski (Eds.).  1996.  Recent Advances in the Aquaculture of Percid Fish.  J. Appl. Ichthyol. Vol. 12, pp.199.
15. Kestemont, P. and K. Dabrowski. 1995. Workshop on Aquaculture of Percids, Press. Universit. De Namur, Belgium, pp.59.
16.  Dabrowski, K. and A. Champigneulle. 1986. Biology, exploitation, rearing and propagation of coregonid fishes. Volume 22, Archiv Hydrobiol. Beih. Ergebn, Limnol.  Stuttgart.  pp.386.
17.  Cowey, C. B., Cho, Y. C., Dabrowski, K., Hughes, S., Lall, S. P., Lovell, R. T., Murai, T. and Wilson, R. P. 1993. Nutrient Requirements of Fishes. National Research Council, Board of Agriculture, National Academy Press, Washington, D. C.

 Refereed publications (recent out of 390)

1.  Almeida, Z., Grayson, J.D., Ludsin, S.A., Dabrowski, K., Marschall, E. 2022. Experiential legacies of early-life dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids content on juvenile walleye: Potential impacts fr om climate change. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 32: 23-36.
2. Grayson, J., Dabrowski, K. 2022. The Utilization of live food enrichment with polyunsaturated fatty acids for the intensive culture of Yellow Perch larvae. North Am.Journal Aquaculture 84: 131-148.
3. Alam, M.A., Miller, M.E., Dabrowski, K. 2022. Hypoxic threshold for yellow perch embryonic development. North Am.J. Aquaculture 83: 372-380.
4. Wojno, M., Mandas, A., Kwasek, K., Dabrowski, K. 2021. The effect of dietary supplements of black pepper Piper nigrum and turmeric Curcuma longa extracts on dietary amino acid utilization and growth performance in common carp. North Am. J. Aquaculture 83: 155-164
5. Larson, D., Scribner, K., Dabrowski, K., Lee, K.J., Crossman, J. 2021. Egg lipid and thiamine vary between late and early spawning run of lake sturgeon. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 37:655-663.
6. Fisher, K., Miller, M.E., Dabrowski, K. 2021. Comparison and optimization of a novel larval rearing method for bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis. Aquaculture 534 (736266).
7. Adamek-Urbanska, D., Kasprzak, R., Tyszkiewicz, M., Fisher, K., Dabrowski, K. 2021.  Negative effects of artificial diets on growth and the digestive tract of 1 month-old Redhead cichlid (Vieja melanura, Gunther 1862). Aquaculture Res. 52: 4889-4896.
8. Wang, Y., Yao, J., Luo, Y., Tan, F., Huang, X., Wang, S., Qin, Q., Zhang, C., Tao, M., Dabrowski, K., Liu, S. 2021. Two new types of homodiploid fis and polyploid hybrids derived from the distant hybridization of female common carp and , ale bighead carp. Marine Biotechnol. 23: 628-640.
9. Rahimenajad, S., Dabrowski,K., Izquierdo, M., Hematyar, N., Imentao, A., Steibach, Ch., Policar, T. 2021 Effects of vitamin C and E supplementation on growth, fatty acid composition, innate immunity, and antioxidant capacity of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed oxidized fish oil. Frontiers in Marine Science 8 (760587)
10.   Rahimenajad, S., Dabrowski, K., Izquierdo, M., Malinovskyi, O., Kolarva, J., Policar, T. 2021. Effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth, body composition, blood biochemistry,  antioxidant capacity and ammonia excretion of European grayling (Thymalus thymalus).  Frontiers in Marine Science 8 (715636)
11. Grayson, J., Dabrowski, K 2020. Partial and total replacement of fish oil with fatty acid ethyl esters in the starter diets of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Aquaculture 522, 735018.
12. Kemski, M., Rappleye, C., Dabrowski, K., Bruno, R., Wick, M. 2020. Transcriptomic response to soybean meal-based diets as the first formulated feed in juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens). Scientific Reports 10, 3998
13. Marcek, B.J., Burbacher, E.A., Winslow, K.P., Dabrowski, K., Ludsin, S.A. 2019. Interactive effects of hypoxia and temperature on consumption, growth, and condition of juvenile hybrid Striped Bass. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 149:71-83.
14. Ostaszewska, T. ; Krajnik, K.; Adamek-Urbanska, D. 2018. Effect of feeding strategy on digestive tract morphology and physiology of lake whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus). Aquaculture 37: 497: 32-41.