I am mainly working in animal genetics and breeding. Here I have been involved in genetic analyses (i.a. estimation of genetic parameters) of disease resistance and cold and salinity tolerance using binary survival data in addition to genetic analyses of other important production traits in fish breeding. I have been involved in such studies on a range of species such as Atlantic salmon, Atlantic halibut, Nile tilapia and common carp in addition to livestock. Definition of animal breeding goals for sustainable production systems is an other major area of interest, where I have dealt with non-market economic values of traits affecting public goods (ethical and environmental goods), e.g. fish welfare traits such as disease resistance and traits affecting environmental services (salmon louse).
I have also enjoyed working with social scientists (political science and legal analyses) on issues of access, rights and benefit sharing of animal genetic resources. I believe in more interdisciplinary work as a useful tool and strategy to develop more sustainable aquaculture systems, and I have been a coordinator for promoting and strengthening such work in Nofima Marin. I am also engaged in organic aquaculture and agriculture, conservation of genetic diversity (i.a. member of National committee of farm animal genetic resources), genetic impacts of escaped farmed fish on wild populations and animal ethics (i.a. member of Norwegian council of animal ethics).
Education:
Cand Agric. (M.Sc.) in farm animal science with specialization in animal breeding in 1985.
Dr. Scient. (Ph.D.) in farm animal breeding in (Thesis title: Studies on new techniques and statistical methods in sheep breeding) in 1993.
