The joint US-Canada Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT) has added three leading scientists to its breeding team, with Dr Peter Kube, Carlos Pulgarin and Jeffrey Prochaska appointed to contribute to the expansion of commercial genetic improvement programmes for worldwide clients.
Kube, the newly-appointed Senior Quantitative Geneticist, has over 17 years’ experience in aquaculture genetics. In his previous role at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), he oversaw the inception of applied breeding programmes for a variety of aquatic species – including Atlantic salmon, Pacific oysters and abalone – and their transition to data-rich programmes boosted by modern DNA tools.
“Data is the heart of applied breeding, it is fuel for decisions,” Kube said. “Collecting data and turning it into metrics helps producers find a balance between diversity and genetic improvement.”
Prochaska and Pulgarin have joined CAT as Breeding Scientists, with 20 and 12 years of experience respectively.
CAT Director of Genomics and Breeding, Dr Klara Verbyla, said, “I am thrilled to have Jeff, Carlos and Peter joining our team. Collectively, they bring years of experience and expertise in the application of genetic improvement to a diverse range of aquatic species and further enhance the breeding teams’ expertise. With the team growing, we are immensely excited about the potential to accelerate CAT’s ability to create real impact across the aquaculture sector through breeding.”
CAT has facilities in San Diego, California, and in Victoria and Souris, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
