University of Bergen

I am interested in the systematics, biodiversity, epidemiology/ecology, and, coevolution of aquatic parasites and their hosts. I also have an abiding interest in, and, teach courses internationally, in experimental design for biologists. This is coupled with my strong interest in the philosophy of biology.

A major area of current research is on the interaction between the parasites of wild and cultured fish in Viet Nam. Current collaboration being conducted with the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 3, the University of Nha Trang, and the Oceanograpic Institute, all of Nha Trang, Viet Nam in this work. Collateral work in this area has included studies on the parasites of coral reef fish being bred for the aquarium industry.

I also have cooperation with Stonybrook,  SUNY and the University of Alaska, Anchorage, on the parasites of marine and freshwater stickleback populations in the Kenai Peninsula and Mat-Su Valley areas of Alaska. These populations have been, and continue to be, extensively investigated by teams of international researchers. My input has included information on pure parasitology, linking with the evolution of some of the populations under investigation, stickleback immunology, monogenean genetics, the dynamics of parasites in lakes restocked with sticklebacks, and, more.

Besides working on the parasites of fish, I have a strong interest and participation in research on the parasites of marine invertebrates. I have supervised MS students studying the parasites of the invasive Kamchatka king crab (Paralithodes camtschatica)  in Norwegian waters, and, on the native green crab (Carcinus maenas) which has be a major invader around the globe. My most recent sabbatical included work on the parasites of holothurians of Nha Trang Bay, Nha Trang Viet Nam, and, I will take research leave next fall to study parasites of the swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus, in the same place. This fits in with my current invertebrate work on holothurians and crabs in western Norway.  I am, also, currently co-supervising an MS student from the University of Malaysia Terengganu, and, the Fisheries Research Institute of Malaysia, in his studies on parasites of the freshwater shrimp, Macrobrachium  rosenbergii.

Recent research partners have included the University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh on the parasites of Tenualosa ilisae (hilsa), their impact on their host and possible use of biotags; the Institute for Aquaculture, University of MalaysiaTerengganu, and, the Fisheries Research Institute of Malaysia on the identification and epidemiology of parasites of wild fish brought in to aquaculure (primarily Epinephelus malabaricus, and E. coioides, but including Lates calcifera, Lutjanus argentimaculatus and Trachinotus blochii).