Dr. Serap Gonen has been appointed as the Lead of Salmon Genomics, starting January 1, 2025.
Photo: Benchmark Genetics
Benchmark Genetics has announced the appointment of Dr. Serap Gonen as its new Lead of Salmon Genomics, commencing January 1, 2025.
Gonen has built a career focused on salmon genetics and breeding, first as a researcher at the Roslin Institute in Scotland, where she completed a PhD in 2015 on the genetics of disease resistance in Atlantic salmon, and later postdoctoral research on on the optimal use of genomic information and advancing genomic methods for livestock breeding.
She also brings industry experience to her new role, most recently from AquaGen, where she optimized salmon and trout breeding program structures, and Mowi Norway, where in 2018 she was appointed Senior Geneticist, managing selection for two salmon breeding programs.
Benchmark announced that Gonen's new role will see her leading "global genomic innovations to enhance selection in the nucleus and commercial salmon lines, optimize disease resistance traits, and contribute to commercial product design".
"She will also participate in R&D projects to pioneer new traits and technologies, reinforcing Benchmark’s leadership in aquaculture genetics," the company added.
“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," said Dr. Ross Houston, Benchmark's Director of Genetics and Innovation, in a press release.