ABOUT ME
I am a Senior Scientist in the Aquaculture Division of Nofima, The Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Research.
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. Mucosal surfaces, including the gills, skin, gut, and olfactory organ, serve as the first line of defence and act as “living sensors” of the fish. This makes them excellent models for studying how fish respond and adapt to their environment.
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My work explores the intricate structure and function of physical and biological mucosal barriers, such as cells and molecules, and how these are regulated by environmental factors including light, handling, treatments, infections, and water quality. These insights are directly relevant to aquaculture, where understanding barrier function can inform the development of optimised and environmentally responsible husbandry protocols.
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Current fish models include Atlantic salmon and Atlantic cod. I have also worked with other commercially relevant fish species, such as rainbow trout, lumpfish, sturgeon, permit and Nile tilapia. I am also interested in using zebrafish as a convenient model species.
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I serve as an Associate/Assistant Editor for Fish & Shellfish Immunology, Journal of Fish Biology, and Stress Biology, and as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Aquaculture.
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 my colleague Elisabeth Ytteborg).
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affiliated with Nofima since 2017
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Israel
Jacob Blaustein Postdoctoral Fellow
Technical University Denmark
Denmark
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University of Nordland (now Nord University)
Norway
Ph.D. in Aquatic Biosciences
University of Nordland (now Nord University)
Norway
M.Sc. Aquaculture
University of the Philippines
Philippines
B.Sc. Fisheries (Fish Processing Technology)
I grew up in the Philippines with my eyes always turned toward the sky, dreaming of becoming a pilot, whether flying for a commercial airline or the Air Force. Back in high school, I was drawn to Biology and Chemistry, though I never imagined they’d lead me to a career. My peers thought I’d end up as a doctor or a lawyer, but life had other plans: I became a doctor… for the fish! It’s funny how life steers us toward unexpected adventures, and in my case, that journey has been both exciting and deeply fulfilling. At 21, I moved to Norway, and from that moment on, there was no looking back. While the dream of flying still crosses my mind from time to time, these days I’m content navigating virtual skies through flight simulators on my phone.
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When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me spending time with my two Shiba Inus, who never fail to keep life lively. If I ever become a millionaire ;-) my dream is to buy an island and transform it into the world’s largest animal sanctuary - a safe haven where creatures of all kinds can live freely, cared for and protected. I also find joy and creativity in cooking, experimenting with flavors from home through Filipino dishes, as well as Japanese, Italian, and Hungarian cuisine. I’m also passionate about wines and perfumes, my two favorite indulgences and guilty pleasures.
Curiosity drives much of what I do. I love watching travel documentaries (big fan of Rick Steves), admiring the art of treehouses (thanks to Pete Nelson), exploring tiny house living (shoutout to Bryce Langston), collecting die-cast toy cars, and practicing martial arts like tae kwon do, kung fu, and capoeira. Music is always a companion. I enjoy all genres, but Ravel’s Bolero or Vivaldi’s Four Seasons never fail to bring calm to a chaotic day. I love running especially in the evening.
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At my core, I am deeply committed to advancing gender equality in research and creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels empowered to thrive. Supporting women and underrepresented minorities in STEM is not just a passion - it’s a responsibility I carry with pride.
Summer
Me with my two boys - Cigi (Black and Tan) and Rico (Red). They are Shiba Inus.
Autumn
Winter
Spring