SAIC Appoints 14-Member Science Panel as Independent Funding Call Opens
核心洞察
The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster (SAIC) (搜索) has appointed 14 international experts to a new science panel to guide its research and innovation funding decisions.
The panel, chaired by Pieter van West of the University of Aberdeen, spans fish and shellfish health, environmental science, veterinary medicine, seaweed, and technology.
The appointments coincide with SAIC's first full funding call since becoming independent from the University of Stirling, launched on 24 August.
The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster (SAIC) (搜索) has appointed 14 experts to a new science panel as it launches its first full funding call since becoming an independent organisation. The panel will advise SAIC's board of directors and assess the scientific merit and potential impact of project applications, bringing together specialists with experience across the UK, Norway, Chile and Australia.
Pieter van West, director of the International Centre for Aquaculture Research and Development (ICARD) at the University of Aberdeen, will chair the group, with Roslin Institute (搜索) group leader Dr Tim Bean serving as vice-chair. SAIC said it expanded the panel from the 12 members originally planned after receiving a strong response to the recruitment process.
"Our new science panel brings together one of the most diverse and experienced groups SAIC has ever convened. By bringing together internationally recognised researchers and aquaculture leaders, we have the breadth and depth needed to rigorously assess projects across finfish, shellfish, and seaweed," said Sarah Riddle, principal officer at SAIC.
Panel Expertise Across Aquaculture Disciplines
The panel's membership reflects a deliberate effort to cover the full spectrum of aquaculture research. Environmental expertise comes from Keith Davidson, associate director at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) (搜索); seaweed specialist Dr Sofie Spatharis, senior lecturer in ecology and environmental change at the University of Glasgow; and Dr Tom Wilding, associate professor of innovative environmental assessment at SAMS, alongside chair van West.
Fish health expertise is provided by Martin Llewellyn, an expert in molecular ecology at the University of Glasgow; Dr Byron Morales Lange, scientific researcher at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (搜索); and Dr Sophie Fridman, senior aquaculture consultant at MacAlister Elliott & Partners. Dr Carmel McDougall, reader in marine biology at the University of St Andrews, and Tim Bean bring additional expertise in shellfish health.
Veterinary expertise comes from Dr Fernando Mardones, senior lecturer in One Health and aquaculture at the University of Edinburgh; Dr Johanna Baily, aquatic veterinary pathologist at Patogen (搜索); and Dr Khalid Shahin, head of diagnostics at Pharmaq Analytiq (搜索). Technology and modelling expertise is provided by Fateh Kerrouche, from Edinburgh Napier University's School of Computing, Engineering, and Built Environment, and environmental modelling specialist Anton Edwards.
A New Independent Era
The appointments coincide with the first full funding call of SAIC's new independent era, launched on 24 August. Earlier in 2026, SAIC became independent from its longstanding host, the University of Stirling, and relocated to the Highlands after securing £1.4 million in annual funding for at least five years from Crown Estate Scotland (搜索).
Panel members will serve for up to two years, reviewing the scientific merit and potential impact of project applications. Linda Wood, non-executive director at SAIC, said: "This group will play a crucial part in guiding what we fund and supporting both the board and operational team throughout the process. Their expertise will help us evaluate proposals, stress-test methodologies, and review final project outcomes, while ensuring IP and commercial interests are protected throughout."
Pieter van West added: "SAIC's work has never been more important, and that's reflected in the record number of expressions of interest received ahead of its new funding call. It is a clear sign that the sector is eager to push forward with innovative, evidence-based research, and I am very pleased to be chairing the science panel that will play a crucial role in guiding those projects."