Don't miss the opportunity to participate in the largest aquaculture event in the Southern Hemisphere!

imagen de Dr. Morten Rye

Dr. Morten Rye

Director of Genetic Services & International Strategy
BENCHMARK GENETICS

Dr. Morten Rye serves as Director of Genetic Services & International Strategy at Benchmark Genetics. He earned his PhD in Animal Breeding and Genetics from the Norwegian University of Agriculture and has built a distinguished career spanning more than 35 years in aquaculture genetics. He currently leads the Benchmark Genetics Services unit, overseeing the global implementation of advanced genetic and genomic support, the design and optimization of selective breeding programs, and the development of international strategic partnerships. His work bridges scientific research and large-scale commercial breeding operations. Throughout his career, Dr. Rye has contributed to selective breeding programs across more than 20 aquaculture species in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He collaborates closely with commercial breeding companies and key industry stakeholders, combining scientific rigor with practical application to enhance productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness within the global aquaculture sector

Present at:

View all speakers AquaSur 2026 Congress Program

Explore other speakers

Explore the full list of experts who will take part in conferences, panels, and
event activities.

imagen de José Antonio Kovacevic

José Antonio Kovacevic

Deputy Sales and Customer Service Manager
Colbún S.A.

Civil Engineer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, with a postgraduate degree in Energy Efficiency from University College London (UCL) and a 2011 Chevenning Scholar. He has over 15 years of experience in the energy sector, with strong expertise in the Chilean electricity market, its regulatory framework, and contract structures. He currently serves as Deputy Sales and Customer Service Manager at Colbún S.A., leading strategic relationships with more than 300 industrial clients and developing competitive, sustainable energy solutions.

imagen de Karina Von Baer

Karina Von Baer

Board Representative
Patagonia Biotech Hub

Agronomist Engineer with a specialization in Agricultural Economics from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and Founder and CEO of Empresas Agrotop. With a distinguished career in southern Chile’s agro-industrial sector, she has led the integration of the value chain from seed production to the manufacturing of oils and industrial food products, while promoting the international expansion of Chilean agricultural exports. She was the second woman in history to join the board of the National Agriculture Society (SNA) and has been recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by EY and Icare.

imagen de Marianne Gaedicke

Marianne Gaedicke

Senior Advisor
Seafood People

Senior executive with more than two decades of experience leading commercial and strategic operations in the global aquaculture and fisheries industry. She is recognized for building strategic partnerships, negotiating complex commercial agreements, and managing multicultural teams.

imagen de Cristopher Waldrop

Cristopher Waldrop

Senior Health Scientist
Food and Drugs Administration (FDA)

Senior Health Scientist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where he works on nutrition, food safety, and risk prioritization within the Human Foods Program. He has extensive experience in food policy, regulatory development, and cross-agency coordination.