Dr Carmel McDougall is a reader in marine biology at the University of St Andrews.
Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster (SAIC).
The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster (SAIC) has announced several appointments to form its first scientific panel, bringing together experts from academia and industry with experience across the UK, Norway, Chile and Australia.
These 14 experts will serve on the panel for up to two years and will be responsible for assessing the potential impact and scientific merit of project applications.
The panel will be chaired by Pieter van West, Director of the International Centre for Aquaculture Research and Development (ICARD) at the University of Aberdeen, who will bring expertise in both fish health and environmental impact. Dr Tim Bean, Group Leader at the Roslin Institute, will serve as Vice-Chair.
"This group will play a crucial part in guiding what we fund and supporting both the board and operational team throughout the process. Their expertise will help us evaluate proposals, stress‑test methodologies, and review final project outcomes, while ensuring IP and commercial interests are protected throughout," explained Linda Wood, non-executive director at SAIC.
The innovation cluster became independent from its longstanding host, the University of Stirling, this year and relocated to the Highlands after securing annual funding from Crown Estate Scotland for a minimum of five years.
Environmental experts include Professor Keith Davidson, Associate Director at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS); seaweed specialist Dr Sofie Spatharis, Senior Lecturer in Ecology and Environmental Change at the University of Glasgow; and Dr Tom Wilding, Associate Professor of Innovative Environmental Assessment at SAMS.
Fish health expertise is provided by Professor Martin Llewellyn, an expert in molecular ecology at the University of Glasgow; Dr Byron Morales Lange, Scientific Researcher at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences; and Dr Sophie Fridman, Senior Aquaculture Consultant at MacAlister Elliott & Partners.
In addition, Dr Carmel McDougall, Reader in Marine Biology at the University of St Andrews, and Tim Bean will contribute their expertise in shellfish health to the panel.
Finally, the veterinary experts are Dr Fernando Mardones, Senior Lecturer in One Health and Aquaculture at the University of Edinburgh; Dr Johanna Baily, Aquatic Veterinary Pathologist at Patogen; and Dr Khalid Shahin, Head of Diagnostics at Pharmaq Analytiq.
Furthermore, Professor Fateh Kerrouche, from the School of Computing, Engineering, and Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University, and environmental modelling specialist Anton Edwards complete the group, bringing their expertise in technology.
"The scientific panel acts as an extension of SAIC’s delivery team. By drawing on decades of expertise from across the aquaculture sector, we can assess the quality, commercial relevance, and sector impact of projects, ensuring that each one we support is scientifically robust and has real potential benefit to aquaculture," added Wood.