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Top 10 Under 40: Lidia de los Ríos Pérez

After Lidia de los Ríos Pérez did her thesis on shrimp genetics during her studies in veterinary medicine and animal husbandry, she decided to focus her career on a combination of genetics and aquaculture.

The 35-year-old was nominated by her colleagues at Xelect Ltd., in Scotland and was applauded as one of the fastest-developing staff members in the company. As breeding programme manager, she manages five of their customers.

“It’s not uncommon to find Lidia working in the middle of the night for the convenience of the customers she looks after, because spawn-ready animals require return within a few hours for a viable spawning operation. This is a meticulous operation that requires preparation, a forensic mind and quick thinking,” the statement from the nomination form reads.

(Photo: Lidia de los Rios Perez)

Pérez has published her research in peer-reviewed journals and aquaculture magazines. “I firmly believe in the importance of sharing knowledge, and there is a unique sense of fulfilment in realizing that your research serves both the academic community and, importantly, the farming industry,” she said.

From visiting clients during sampling or spawning seasons, she’s able to learn about the different production methods used in different species across different countries and learn about their cultures. And she finds this exciting.

As exciting as her job is, planning for the unexpected—when working with live animals—to produce good results is challenging. Notwithstanding, she advises anyone looking to join the industry to step out of their comfort zone and take every step as an opportunity to learn something new.