New head of Nofima’s Fish Health Department

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

He will head a department of 13 researchers with specialised expertise in preventive fish health, based in Ås and Tromsø. 

“The Fish Health Department plays a crucial role in addressing and solving the challenges facing the industry,” says Linn Anne Brunborg, Division Director for Aquaculture and Fyrand’s new manager. She adds: 

“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.” 

Kjetil Fyrand (57) lives in Oslo with his family and has 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,” says Fyrand. 

Kjetil Fyrand holds a cand.scient. degree in fish health from the University of Bergen. At Pharmaq, he gained experience in applied research and management within fish health, focusing on the development and documentation of pharmaceuticals for the global aquaculture industry. In 2021, he began an industrial PhD in fish vaccinology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, which he will complete this year.