I have always been interested in anthropogenic environmental impacts on aquatic animal health and several sewage spills that occurred in estuaries while working with the Fish and Wildlife Health group, spurred questions about the potential role of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in fish. My research focus is to assess how marine organisms like fish can be potential vectors and reservoirs of ARB and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG), and how the different biological and physiological factors of fish contribute to the accumulation and dissemination of ARB in marine environment. I am evaluating the fecal carriage of ARB in fish using indicator bacterial species like enterococci and Escherichia coli after large sewage spills occurred in the Indian River Lagoon, and comparing the prevalence of the indicator bacteria and their ARG among fish species with different feeding behaviors. I am also looking at the diversity of ARB from the GI tract in valuable marine sport fish, snapper and grouper species in the Gulf of Mexico, to determine whether species, sex, and age are variables contributing to the presence or absence of ARB in fish. This research will help us to understand the biological mechanisms of proliferation and dissemination of ARB in fish. Therefore, providing information that may useful for fish stock enhancement and aquaculture practices.