Dashboard – Marine Zone

About Me:

I am inspired by the Blue Economy and especially aquaculture. The Blue Economy, which encompasses all economic activities related to our oceans and seas, is more than just a sector — it’s a source of wonder and inspiration. It’s what brought me to Scotland.
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I love the outdoors, from gardening and growing my own veggies, chopping firewood to trekking and exploring the Scottish mountains with may partner and my dog, Pelusa.

I also have 5 very productive hens that love to make a mess of the garden, scape to neighbours gardens and wander along the road
My pronouns are:

He/Him
My Work:

My main job consists in enabling collaboration between the aquaculture commercial sector and research, engaging with academics, public funding bodies and the aquaculture sector to bring in all parties into collaborative research projects.
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I started my career with a Degree in Marine Sciences with specialization in Living Resources by the University of Vigo (Spain) and a MSc in Aquaculture by the University of Coruna (Spain), after which I worked in the seaweed farming sector in the northwest of Spain, both in land IMTA research projects and at sea commercial long-lines.

After this period, I enrolled in an Erasmus Mundus MSc in Marine Environment and Resources taking me to the University of the Basque Country (Spain), University of Bordeaux (France), University of Liege (Belgium) finalising at Ardtoe Marine Research Facility in Scotland.

I have worked in various aquaculture companies such as Benchmark Holdings Plc., Scottish Sea Farms Ltd. and Otter Ferry Seafish before joining SAIC.

I have brought to SAIC over 10 years’ experience working in the sector and a sound knowledge in various species and aspects of aquaculture, with special focus on cleaner fish and salmon health and welfare and sea lice management.

Combining these with volunteer roles as Retained Firefighter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and currently as a Search and Rescue Officer for HM Coastguard and Member Board of Directors for the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association.
My Typical Day:

My day to day work goes from meeting with partners and customers to managing our on-going research projects, review project applications and support new projects, attend conferences and exhibitions and really listen to the aquaculture sector to understand what are the challenges and opportunities they face and find ways to support them.
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I love when the usual desk bound work is break and I have the opportunity to join a project or a partner for field trip or sampling.
What I'd do with the prize money:

I would ask the students to tell me what they want me to do with it.

Candidate CV questions (extra)

Education:

Education
Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea logo
Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko UnibertsitateaUniversidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
European Erasmus Mundus Master (MSc) in Marine Environment and Resources, Marine Biology and Biological OceanographyEuropean Erasmus Mundus Master (MSc) in Marine Environment and Resources, Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
2012 – 20142012 – 2014
MSc Thesis – “Development of simplified and more cost-effective hatchery techniques for macroalgae seedling production”MSc Thesis – “Development of simplified and more cost-effective hatchery techniques for macroalgae seedling production”
Université de Bordeaux logo
Université de BordeauxUniversité de Bordeaux
European Erasmus Mundus Master (MSc) in Marine Environment and Resources, Marine Biology and Biological OceanographyEuropean Erasmus Mundus Master (MSc) in Marine Environment and Resources, Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
2012 – 20142012 – 2014
MSc Thesis – “Development of simplified and more cost-effective hatchery techniques for macroalgae seedling production”MSc Thesis – “Development of simplified and more cost-effective hatchery techniques for macroalgae seedling production”
University of Liège logo
University of LiègeUniversity of Liège
European Erasmus Mundus Master (MSc) in Marine Environment and Resources, Marine Biology and Biological OceanographyEuropean Erasmus Mundus Master (MSc) in Marine Environment and Resources, Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
2012 – 20142012 – 2014
MSc Thesis – “Development of simplified and more cost-effective hatchery techniques for macroalgae seedling production”MSc Thesis – “Development of simplified and more cost-effective hatchery techniques for macroalgae seedling production”
I went o school in Spain, on my home town, in the outskirts of Madrid, from where I am originally.

After finishing Highschool I went to Universidade da Coruña, in the Spanish NW to study a degree in Marine Science.

I then move to Universidade da Coruña, in Coruña, also in the NW of Spain, to study
a Master of Science (MSc) in Aquaculture.

Worked there for a while and finally decided to go for a second MSc in Marine Environment and Resources. This was an Erasmus Mundus MSc which took me from Spain, to France, Belgium and finally Scotland.
Qualifications:

N/A

My Interview
- How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
  
  Honest, friendly, committed
  
  What did you want to be after you left school?
  
  Not sure, something about the sea.
  
  Were you ever in trouble at school?
  
  Sometimes.
  
  If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
  
  Historian, surprisingly
  
  Who is your favourite singer or band?
  
  I don't have any favourite, but I love rock and the 60s and 70s
  
  What's your favourite food?
  
  Seafood, any
  
  If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
  
  Good Health x3!
  
  Tell us a joke.
  
  I am a very boring person. What’s the best way to get in contact with a fish? - Drop it a line.