Joe McDonald, Varicon Aqua

Joe McDonald brings over four decades of multidisciplinary experience focused on aquatic biotechnology. His expertise spans project management, business development, live feed production, finfish cultivation, behavioural ecology, and algal population dynamics. Early on, he designed, built, and operated commercial marine hatcheries for turbot, sole, halibut, bass, bream, cod, and Pecten maximus, leading Europe’s first commercial halibut sales.

He later worked across Asia with a nutrition leader, managing solutions, R&D, benchmarking, and technical sales. Today, as Owner and CEO of Varicon Aqua Solutions, he runs a photobioreactor company. Engineer, ONC in Bioscience, he serves on Algae UK’s board and EABA’s Committee today.

Dr Kabir Chowdhury, Maverick Innovation

Kabir Chowdhury, educated in Bangladesh, Thailand, and Canada, is a global aquaculture nutrition expert. Founder of Maverick Innovation and Professional Aquaculture Nutritionists, he has over 30 years’ experience worldwide.

He also serves as Senior Editor for Critical Insights in Aquaculture and offers training and support to regional organizations.

Dr Farshad Shishehchian, Blue Aqua

Farshad Shishehchian is Group Executive Chairman & Founder of Blue Aqua International, operating in 14 countries. With 36+ years’ experience, he invented the Mixotrophic™ System, leads shrimp and trout farming ventures, founded the Asian Aquaculture Network, served as WAS–APC President, and is a 2021 Global Aquaculture Industry Award recipient.

Dr Ram Bhujel, Asian Institute of Technology

Ram Bhujel earned his MSc (1994) and PhD (1999) in Aquaculture from Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, with postdoctoral training at the University of Stirling, Scotland.

An affiliated faculty and former Aqua-Centre Director at AIT, he has authored key aquaculture texts, published extensively, led EU-funded curriculum projects, trained professionals worldwide, and received the AFS Gold Medal for contributions to aquaculture education.

Bulent Kukurtcu, Catalysis SL

Bulent Kukurtcu is a marine biologist and scientific advisor with over 30 years of experience in aquaculture, marine bioprospecting, and natural bioactive compounds. Expert in product development, veterinary and agricultural supplements, and scientific consulting.

Managing Director at Catalysis SL and co-author of multiple peer-reviewed publications.

Dr Romi, Secretary General, Indonesia Aquaculture Society

Romi Novriadi is an expert in sustainable aquaculture production with over 20 years of experience. He has served as Director of the World Aquaculture Society – Asia Pacific chapter and held roles including Researcher at Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Secretary General of the Indonesia Aquaculture Society, Global Advisor for the Seafood Consumers Association, and Editor in Chief of Media Akuakultur. He has published more than 35 peer-reviewed articles. A VLIR-UOS and Fulbright scholar, his work focuses on intensive farming systems, economical aqua-feed, nutrition, novel ingredients, and strengthening links between research and industry.

Benedict Standen

Benedict joined the dsm-firmenich team in 2020 as Head, Global Aqua Marketing. Driving strategic marketing management across the aqua portfolio, including Essential Products (vitamins, premix & carotenoids), Performance Solutions (gut health, feed enzymes, mycotoxin risk management and special nutrients) and Precision Services. The growth-focused strategy involves prioritizing innovation for future solutions, creating a compelling narrative across products into a consultative selling approach, knowledge transfer and differentiation through service.

Dr. Bernhard Eckel

Dr. Bernhard Eckel is Vice President at Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition. With his many years of experience, his in-depth knowledge of the industry and his excellent feel for the sector, he is one of the pillars of Dr Eckel’s global success.

Sven-Olof Malmqvist

Sven-Olof Malmqvist is Managing Partner and Commercial Director at Nordic Feed Solutions AB, specializing in innovative feed solutions. Previously, he held senior roles at Yara International in animal nutrition and business development, bringing extensive experience in sustainable feed production, commercial strategy, and global market development.

Dr Pradeep Padmaja Jayaprasad

Dr. Pradeep serves as the Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator at Leiber GmbH, Germany, a leading manufacturer of brewer’s yeast products for life science and animal nutrition applications. In this role, he supports distribution partners across the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions and leads the strategic planning of technical, commercial, and marketing activities for the Animal Nutrition Division, covering livestock, pet, and aquaculture species. Dr. Pradeep works closely with feed and premix producers, farmers, and scientific institutions to advance innovative and sustainable nutrition solutions. He earned his PhD from the Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries, Malaysia. A trained fish and shrimp farmer, Dr. Pradeep has hands-on experience in aquaculture production systems, enabling him to bridge scientific research with practical farming applications.