Stephan has been an active fish keeper since the mid 1980’s starting in Switzerland where he was born, acquiring his first tropical fish tank when he was 14 years old. His interest in biology and nature pushed him to earn a master's degree in molecular biology (1995) and finally a Ph.D. in human molecular genetics (1998). During his undergraduate years, he worked in the Spiezer Zoo, a local fish store, well-known for its quality fish and great service.

  In the spring of 1998, he moved to Columbus, Ohio for a postdoctoral fellowship in cancer research with Prof. Albert de la Chapelle, at The Ohio State University. After four years, he became a Research Scientist and since the fall of 2005, has been  a Research Assistant Professor in Human Cancer Genetics in the Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics at OSU.

  His fascination with fish, began in 1992, when he became a member of the German Barb, Tetra, Loach, and Catfish association, the VDA AK BSSW. He quickly developed relationships with highly devoted specialists, many of which are still his close friends. In 1994, a new editor for the quarterly publication BSSW Report was wanted and he served in that position until the end of 2006. He occasionally travels to Germany for fish related meetings and to visit friends that he has  made throughout the fabulous German hobbyist community.

  He set up a fish system with over 60 tanks to accommodate all the fish that he was interested in. Breeding – which is naturally the ultimate goal – produces many offspring. Trading a few fish is not an issue but selling them by the hundreds, is. This led to the formation of Swiss Tropicals, LLC. He possesses a valid US Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA import licenses that allow him to bring back fish and plants legally from his trips. Since spring 2008, he has been the exclusive US and Canadian distributor of Poret® filter foam from EMW filtertechnik in Germany.

Stephan's web site may be viewed, here.

Here is the important link for people to inform themselves about HR669.

Here is a link to the German L-catfish working group.



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