Hendrix Genetics strengthens salmon breeding R&D with expanded global genomics team

NETHERLANDS – Hendrix Genetics has strengthened the research and development team within its Business Unit Salmonids, bringing together global expertise in genomics, bioinformatics and phenotyping to accelerate genetic gains in its salmon and trout breeding programmes.

The expanded team is expected to improve the accuracy of breeding value predictions, enhance disease resistance and feed efficiency, and support the development of more productive and resilient salmonid stocks for aquaculture producers worldwide.

The move builds on the company’s efforts to strengthen its global salmonids business, following the appointment of Juan Pablo Barrales to lead the division earlier this year as Hendrix Genetics continues to expand its presence in the aquaculture genetics sector.

According to the company, the strengthened R&D team combines expertise from multiple species and scientific disciplines to drive innovation in selective breeding.

Among the new specialists are Dr Aqeel Ahmad, whose research focused on digital phenotyping and feed efficiency in salmon, and Dr Katharina Correa, an expert in genomic disease resistance supporting the company’s Chilean trout operations. 

The team also includes Dr Britt de Klerk, who brings experience from cattle and poultry genetics, and Dr Rayner Gonzalez-Prendez, who now leads bioinformatics after working in pig and dairy cattle genomics.

The team also includes Vera van der Heijden, who has contributed to the company’s salmon breeding programmes since 2016, while quantitative geneticist Dr Marco Bink continues to support the business through Hendrix Genetics’ Central R&D team.

Advancing genomics and AI-driven breeding

The R&D group is led by Dr Kasper Janssen, who became R&D Director for Business Unit Salmonids in December 2024 after several years working on Atlantic salmon breeding programmes.

According to Hendrix Genetics, the expanded research capacity will strengthen both customer and internal breeding programmes through improvements in advanced phenotyping, the incorporation of new measurement technologies, upgraded equipment, and artificial intelligence-powered analytical tools.

The company is also enhancing its in-house SNP chip by incorporating more informative quantitative trait locus (QTL)-linked markers and developing new genomic evaluation methods to improve breeding value prediction.

These innovations are expected to accelerate genetic progress across both salmon and trout breeding programmes while delivering greater accuracy in selecting traits such as growth performance, feed efficiency and disease resistance.

Hendrix Genetics said the investment in scientific expertise and technology reinforces its long-term commitment to advancing aquaculture genetics and delivering data-driven breeding solutions that help producers improve productivity and sustainability.

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