The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has appointed Lisa Collins and Grant Stentiford to its board, in a bit to bring “extensive scientific knowledge and networks, as well as combined experience of global sustainable food systems to support the innovation centre’s contribution to UK aquaculture as a key source of highly nutritionally valuable protein”.
A press release from the company announced the appointments of Professors Collins and Stentiford to the SAIC’s Independent Scientific Panel (SISP). The company hopes that the pair will provide “guidance on future funding decisions and contributing to the centre’s work on attracting external investment into cutting-edge Scottish research.”
Head of the school of biology and professor of animal science at the University of Leeds, Professor Collins has 15 years of experience within the agriculture sector. As N8 Agrifood chair in agricultural systems and academic director of the National Pig Centre, Lisa worked on numerous projects involving big data and emerging technology. Her current research focuses on developing smart agricultural systems including technology development, systems modelling, and data analytics, driving more sustainable, efficient and effective food production.
Professor Stentiford has more than 20 years of expertise in both the government and academic fields of international aquaculture, with a strong track record of delivering scientific research and development programmes in the sector, combining a focus on animal, human and planetary health and wellbeing.
Since 2016, Professor Stentiford has been co-director of the Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Futures at the University of Exeter. He is also currently head of the OIE Collaborating Centre for Emerging Aquatic Animal Diseases and principal aquatic animal pathologist at Cefas, among other positions.
“I am excited to join the SAIC board and independent scientific panel. I look forward to working with the SAIC team, applying my experience in terrestrial animal science to aquaculture: cross-sector knowledge exchange and collaboration are crucial tools for the continuous improvement of animal health and environmentally responsible food production,” Professor Collins said.
“SAIC plays a key role in forging partnerships between academia and businesses in aquaculture, driving innovation to help the sector grow sustainably. Having worked in aquatic animal health and wellbeing for more than two decades now, I’m eager to contribute to the important work of SAIC and the SISP,” Professor Stentiford stated.
“With their excellent scientific credentials and extensive experience working at the interface of Government, industry and academia, Lisa and Grant are extremely valuable additions to SAIC’s board and scientific panel. We challenge ourselves to fund and support the highest quality scientific research, and their national and global expertise will help us drive that forward in conjunction with the sector. SAIC’s ambition is to use cutting-edge science, new technology and data-led innovation to boost sustainability, as we continue to minimise the environmental footprint and increase the economic impact of UK aquaculture,” David Gregory, Chair of SAIC, said, welcoming their arrival.
