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

imagen de Karina Von Baer

Karina Von Baer

Board Representative
Patagonia Biotech Hub

Karina von Baer is a prominent Chilean entrepreneur from the Araucanía Region. She holds a degree in Agronomy with a specialization in Agricultural Economics from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Empresas Agrotop, a holding company that includes key firms such as Saprosem, Granotop, Oleotop, and Avenatop, with a strong presence in the production, processing, and export of seeds, grains, and derived products. Under her leadership, Agrotop has developed a vertically integrated business model that connects the entire agro-industrial value chain — from certified seed production to the industrial processing of oils and food ingredients — ensuring quality standards, traceability, and operational efficiency. She has also played a significant role in expanding Chilean agricultural products into international markets, strengthening the country’s export positioning. Her management approach emphasizes strategic collaboration with local farmers, fostering sustainable and cooperative production networks in southern Chile. In the institutional sphere, she made history by becoming the second woman ever to serve on the board of the National Agriculture Society (SNA), contributing to greater female representation within Chile’s agricultural leadership.

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 Dr. Tomas Perez-Acle

Dr. Tomas Perez-Acle

Vice-Rector for Research and PhD Programs
Universidad San Sebastián – Puerto Montt Campus

Dr. Tomás Pérez-Acle, PhD, is a computational biologist whose research focuses on the development of computational models to study complex biological phenomena through interdisciplinary approaches integrating biology, mathematics, physics, and chemistry. He has published nearly 70 Q1-indexed scientific articles, book chapters, and patent applications in areas such as computer-aided drug design, nanotechnology, and robotics. He currently serves as Full Professor and Vice-Rector for Research and Doctoral Studies at Universidad San Sebastián.

imagen de Dr. Morten Rye

Dr. Morten Rye

Director of Genetic Services & International Strategy
BENCHMARK GENETICS

Director of Genetic Services & International Strategy at Benchmark Genetics and holds a PhD in Animal Breeding and Genetics from the Norwegian University of Agriculture. With over 35 years of experience in aquaculture genetics, he leads the global delivery of advanced genetic and genomic services, breeding program design, and international partnerships, working with commercial breeding operations across more than 20 species in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

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 Dra. Alicia Gallardo

Dra. Alicia Gallardo

President of the Aquatic Animals Commission
World Organisation for Animal Health

International reference in aquatic animal health, with extensive experience in regulation, science, and international cooperation.