Carlo C. Lazado, PhD

 

 

Superior fish health is inherent for the productivity and sustainability of aquaculture. My research interests address the basic and applied aspects of fish health with a strong focus on the physiology and immunology of mucosal barriers. The mucosal surfaces (i.e., gills, skin, gut, and olfactory organ) are considered the first line of defence and the living sensors of fish; hence, they are excellent models to unravel how fish respond and adapt to their environment. My approach is to study the intricacies of the physical and biological barriers (i.e., cells, molecules) at the mucosa, as well as how these barriers are regulated by the environment (e.g., light, handling, nutrition, treatment, infection, water quality), which is highly relevant in fish farming. Eventually, I aim to use these responses to develop more optimised and ecologically sound husbandry protocols.

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Current fish models include Atlantic salmon, Atlantic cod and lumpfish. I have also worked with other commercially relevant fish species, such as rainbow trout, sturgeon, permit and Nile tilapia. I am also interested in using zebrafish as a convenient model species.

 

My research upholds the principles of 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) because ethical science is a prerequisite to sound science. Norecopa acknowledged my work in this aspect by bestowing me the 2021 3R Prize for Animal Research (shared with Dr Elisabeth Ytteborg).