Benchmark Genetics appoints new salmon lead to spearhead research
Former Roslin researcher has experience with Mowi and AquaGen
Benchmark Genetics, a supplier of ova to the salmon farming sector, has announced the appointment of Dr Serap Gonen as its salmon genomics lead. The company said Gonen, who took up the position on January 1, brings extensive expertise in salmon genetics and breeding, positioning her to drive innovation and performance in Benchmark’s global breeding programmes.
Gonen completed her PhD in 2015 at the Roslin Institute in Scotland, focusing on the genetics of disease resistance in Atlantic salmon. She continued at the Roslin Institute as a postdoctoral researcher on the optimal use of genomic information and advancing genomic methods for livestock breeding. In 2018, she joined Mowi in Norway as a senior geneticist, managing selection for two salmon breeding programmes. Most recently, at ova supplier AquaGen, she optimised salmon and trout breeding programme structures.
In a press release, Benchmark said Gonen will lead global genomic innovations to enhance selection in the nucleus and commercial salmon lines, optimise disease resistance traits, and contribute to commercial product design. She will also participate in R&D projects to pioneer new traits and technologies, reinforcing the company’s leadership in aquaculture genetics.
Pleased and excited
Benchmark’s director of genetics and innovation Dr Ross Houston, whose career has included spells as a postdoc research and a professor at the Roslin Institute, said: “We are very pleased and excited to welcome Serap to our Benchmark Genetics team. She has an outstanding background in scientific research and its application to salmon breeding and will significantly bolster our team, further improving our products and services.”
In November last year, Benchmark Holdings announced that it had agreed to sell its genetics division to Denmark-headquartered life sciences investor Novo Holdings. Completion of the transaction is expected during the current quarter, subject to shareholder approval and receipt of necessary regulatory approvals.
Novo Holdings is the holding company of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the world’s largest charitable foundation.
