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imagen de Dr. José Manuel Yáñez

Dr. José Manuel Yáñez

Dean FAVET
Universidad de Chile

PhD in Genetics and academic at the University of Chile, with a distinguished career in applied research on genetics and genomics of aquatic organisms. His work focuses on genetic improvement, disease resistance, and the application of genomic tools to support more efficient and sustainable aquaculture. He has led and contributed to numerous national and international projects, bridging science, industry, and public policy, and has made significant contributions to the strategic development of aquaculture at both national and international levels.

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imagen de Dr. José Aguilar Manjarrez

Dr. José Aguilar Manjarrez

Aquaculture Officer
FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Aquaculture from the University of Stirling (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), a Diploma in Financial Aquaculture from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), Mexico, and a B.Sc. in Oceanography from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Mexico. Since joining the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1996, he has led sustainable aquaculture development initiatives in more than 45 countries. He currently serves as Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer at the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, based in Santiago, Chile, where he promotes innovative policies and solutions to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the sector in the region.

imagen de Gerardo Balbontín Fox

Gerardo Balbontín Fox

CEO
Blumar

Senior executive with extensive experience in the Chilean aquaculture industry. He has held top leadership positions in major salmon farming companies, focusing on corporate strategy, operational efficiency, sustainability, and governance. His career has been marked by driving organizational transformation, strengthening international market positioning, and navigating complex regulatory and competitive environments.

imagen de Ignacio Fernández Ruiz

Ignacio Fernández Ruiz

Director General
ProChile

Ignacio Fernández Ruiz is the Director General of ProChile, with over 25 years of experience in the public sector and international economic relations. He holds a Law degree from the University of Chile and a Master’s in International Economic Policy from the University of Sheffield. He has held several positions within the Undersecretariat for International Economic Relations and ProChile, both in Chile and abroad.

imagen de Gian Paul Ricapito

Gian Paul Ricapito

General Manager and Executive Editor
Salmonexpert