Scientific Committee
Jorge Fernandes
Professor in Genomics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Marine Sciences (Spain)
I have over 20 years’ experience in Aquaculture Genomics. My current research fields are muscle growth and innate immunity in teleosts, with focus on the epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs) of gene networks by environmental factors in commercially important species, such as Nile tilapia and Atlantic cod.
Professor in Genomics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Marine Sciences (Spain)
I have over 20 years’ experience in Aquaculture Genomics. My current research fields are muscle growth and innate immunity in teleosts, with focus on the epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs) of gene networks by environmental factors in commercially important species, such as Nile tilapia and Atlantic cod.
Elena Sarropoulou
Research Director, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
Dr. Elena Sarropoulou a Research Director at the Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture (IMBBC) of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. Her main research activities concern teleost development, stress and disease response, and reproduction applying state-of-the-art -omics technologies. (sarris@hcmr.gr)
Research Director, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
Dr. Elena Sarropoulou a Research Director at the Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture (IMBBC) of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. Her main research activities concern teleost development, stress and disease response, and reproduction applying state-of-the-art -omics technologies. (sarris@hcmr.gr)
Ivana Bušelić
Research associate, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Split, Croatia)
Ivana Bušelić is a researcher specialising in the immunology and nutrition of aquaculture fish. Ivana analyses transcriptomes and microbiomes to investigate how novel feeds influence the health and function of the digestive tract in aquaculture species. She was a visiting researcher at the University of Padova (September 2024–September 2025), where she expanded her expertise in genomic selection and genomic predictions of complex traits in aquaculture. (buselic@izor.hr)
Research associate, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Split, Croatia)
Ivana Bušelić is a researcher specialising in the immunology and nutrition of aquaculture fish. Ivana analyses transcriptomes and microbiomes to investigate how novel feeds influence the health and function of the digestive tract in aquaculture species. She was a visiting researcher at the University of Padova (September 2024–September 2025), where she expanded her expertise in genomic selection and genomic predictions of complex traits in aquaculture. (buselic@izor.hr)
Diego Robledo
Roslin Fellow, The University of Edinburgh and University of Santiago de Compostela
Diego Robledo is a group leader at the Roslin Institute (University of Edinburgh) and the University of Santiago de Compostela. The main interest of Diego´s research group is to understand infectious processes in aquatic animals, and especially differences in disease resistance between individuals, populations or species, applying this knowledge to improve the resistance to diseases of aquaculture stocks. (Diego.Robledo@roslin.ed.ac.uk)
Roslin Fellow, The University of Edinburgh and University of Santiago de Compostela
Diego Robledo is a group leader at the Roslin Institute (University of Edinburgh) and the University of Santiago de Compostela. The main interest of Diego´s research group is to understand infectious processes in aquatic animals, and especially differences in disease resistance between individuals, populations or species, applying this knowledge to improve the resistance to diseases of aquaculture stocks. (Diego.Robledo@roslin.ed.ac.uk)
Kiron Viswanath
Professor of Fish Immunobiology and Preventive Health at the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University.
Kiron Viswanath’s research focuses on how commensal microorganisms, mucosal immunity, and microalgae-based feeds can be used to promote the nutrition, immune priming, and overall health of farmed fish, ultimately strengthening their natural defences through targeted, preventive aquaculture nutrition.
Professor of Fish Immunobiology and Preventive Health at the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University.
Kiron Viswanath’s research focuses on how commensal microorganisms, mucosal immunity, and microalgae-based feeds can be used to promote the nutrition, immune priming, and overall health of farmed fish, ultimately strengthening their natural defences through targeted, preventive aquaculture nutrition.
John Liu
Dr Zhanjiang (John) Liu is serving as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He has been serving as Vice President for Research and Economic Development and as a Professor in the Department of Biology at Tennessee Technological University since 2023.
Zhanjiang (John) Liu’s scientific interests are centred on aquaculture genomics, with emphasis on genetic mapping, genome sequencing, and molecular mechanisms underlying disease resistance and environmental adaptation in farmed fish.
Dr Zhanjiang (John) Liu is serving as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He has been serving as Vice President for Research and Economic Development and as a Professor in the Department of Biology at Tennessee Technological University since 2023.
Zhanjiang (John) Liu’s scientific interests are centred on aquaculture genomics, with emphasis on genetic mapping, genome sequencing, and molecular mechanisms underlying disease resistance and environmental adaptation in farmed fish.
Tanja Šegvić-Bubić
Dr Tanja Šegvić Bubić is a Scientific Adviser at the Laboratory of Aquaculture of the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split.
Her research focuses on the ecological impacts of aquaculture on marine ecosystems, with an emphasis on the development of sustainable farming practices. She particularly investigates genetic introgression between farmed and wild fish populations, restoration of soft-bottom habitats beneath fish farms, and sustainable alternatives in feeds for cultured marine fish.
Dr Tanja Šegvić Bubić is a Scientific Adviser at the Laboratory of Aquaculture of the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split.
Her research focuses on the ecological impacts of aquaculture on marine ecosystems, with an emphasis on the development of sustainable farming practices. She particularly investigates genetic introgression between farmed and wild fish populations, restoration of soft-bottom habitats beneath fish farms, and sustainable alternatives in feeds for cultured marine fish.
Željka Trumbić
Associate Professor in Genetics and Bioinformatics, University of Split, Department of Marine Studies.
My main research activities include host-parasite relationships of marine organisms, cephalopod genomics and bivalve microbial ecology.
Associate Professor in Genetics and Bioinformatics, University of Split, Department of Marine Studies.
My main research activities include host-parasite relationships of marine organisms, cephalopod genomics and bivalve microbial ecology.
Sara Faggion
Tenure track researcher at the Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science at the University of Padova.
Sara Faggion’s scientific interests focus on selective breeding strategies to enhance complex traits through genetic and genomic approaches, with a particular emphasis on disease resistance in aquaculture species.
Tenure track researcher at the Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science at the University of Padova.
Sara Faggion’s scientific interests focus on selective breeding strategies to enhance complex traits through genetic and genomic approaches, with a particular emphasis on disease resistance in aquaculture species.