Aquaculture genetics services provider Benchmark Genetics has bolstered its core team with the appointment of Grazyella Yoshida as senior geneticist and Hans Ekvall as junior geneticist. Both positions are located at the company’s head office in Bergen, Norway.
Yoshida brings experience of large-scale genetic and genomic evaluations, optimized use of genomic information, and technical supervision of applied breeding programs, the company said. She has worked as an associate with José Manuel Yáñez’s research group at the University of Chile, supporting the development and uptake of quantitative and genomic tools in R&D projects with numerous aquaculture species. Additionally, she has extensive experience from support to applied breeding programs for salmonids and tilapia in Chile and Brazil. Yoshida earned a master’s degree in animal science from the University of Maringa, Brazil, in 2014, and her doctorate in genetics and animal breeding from Sao Paulo State University in 2018.
“I am motivated to use my background and skills in some relevant areas of genetics work and help to develop a more profitable and sustainable aquaculture industry,” she said.
Ekvall recently completed his European master’s degree in animal breeding and genetics (EMABG) program with combined studies at Georg August University in Germany and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
His master’s focused on breeding-program designs and comparative methylome studies on ISA in Atlantic salmon. Before that, he completed a bachelor’s degree in epigenetics in tilapia at the Nord University in Bodø, followed by studies in biomedicine at the University of Bergen. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in international development from Middlesex University, London. Ekvall has broad international work experience in Europe, Asia, and Australia, including the studying abalone and pearl oysters. For nearly three years, he worked as a technician in eyed egg production at Erfjord Stamfisk. In his new role, he will support external clients with applied consultancy services.
Photo courtesy of Benchmark Genetics
