New Leadership in Nofima’s Fish Health Department

Kjetil Fyrand Takes the Helm

Kjetil Fyrand has made a significant career move, transitioning from Pharmaq to become the head of the Fish Health Department at Nofima.

A Vision for Fish Health

Fyrand expressed his enthusiasm for joining Nofima, stating, “My motivation for joining Nofima was the opportunity to engage more broadly within fish health. At Nofima, fish health is at the heart of our research—whether it involves breeding, nutrition, or production environment.”

Leading a Team of Experts

He will lead a dedicated team of 13 researchers with specialized expertise in preventive fish health, based in both Ås and Tromsø. “The Fish Health Department plays a crucial role in addressing and solving the challenges facing the industry,” noted Linn Anne Brunborg, Division Director for Aquaculture and Fyrand’s new manager.

Credentials and Experience

Brunborg also emphasized Fyrand’s promising background: “Kjetil has an exciting background from the industry and is currently undertaking an industrial PhD. I am confident that he will challenge us and contribute with new ideas and opportunities for the institute.”

A Global Perspective

Kjetil Fyrand, at the age of 57, resides in Oslo with his family and boasts extensive international experience. “I have had the pleasure of travelling extensively in previous roles, and I see great potential for both Nofima and Norway to make an even stronger mark internationally in aquaculture and fish health,” he said.

Academic Background

Fyrand holds a cand.scient. degree in fish health from the University of Bergen. His time at Pharmaq equipped him with valuable experience in applied research and management within the fish health sector, focusing on the development and documentation of pharmaceuticals for the global aquaculture industry. Currently, he is in the final stages of completing an industrial PhD in fish vaccinology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, a journey that began in 2021.

Looking Ahead

With Kjetil Fyrand at the helm, Nofima’s Fish Health Department is poised to make significant contributions to the aquaculture industry, tackling challenges and advancing research in fish health.