Maria Eleni Kokkali
Dr.Philos.
Scientist
I am a Researcher at Nofima’s Aquaculture Division (Ernæring og fôrteknologi) in Bergen, Norway, where I have been working since 2018. My research field is fish nutrition, with a strong focus on innovative and sustainable raw material utilization for high-value species such as Atlantic salmon and sea bream. Over the past years, I have worked extensively on linking nutritional strategies to fish performance, welfare, and robustness under practical production conditions. I hold a PhD in Aquaculture Nutrition from the University of Bergen, completed in 2024 under the EINVU FoU project. My doctoral research focused on metabolic pathways and physiological functions of organic and inorganic trace minerals in Atlantic salmon, aiming to optimize mineral nutrition in relation to growth, health, and welfare. Through this work, I coordinated multi-site trials and collaborated closely with feed producers and farming companies to ensure production-relevant outcomes. My academic background includes an integrated Master’s degree in Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment from the University of Thessaly in Greece, where my thesis explored microalgae as a source of lipids and fatty acids in aquafeeds. I later obtained a Master of Science in Aquaculture Biology from the University of Bergen in 2020, with a thesis focused on optimizing cell wall disruption of microalgae biomass for the release of nutrients and bioactive compounds for aquafeed and food applications.
In recent years, my research has centered on the evaluation of novel and commercializing raw materials, including algae-derived oils and insect meal, and on developing feed solutions aligned with circularity, life-cycle assessment, and reduced marine dependency. I have gained broad practical experience across freshwater and seawater systems, flow-through tanks, RAS, research cages, and commercial production environments. I am motivated by contributing to a more sustainable aquaculture industry through improved raw material utilization, optimized nutrient strategies, and innovation-driven feed development that supports both fish welfare and high-quality seafood production.
