Mark is an experienced geneticist with a strong academic foundation and a proven track record in applied genetics for agriculture and aquaculture. He earned his BSc in Evolutionary Biology from the University of St Andrews, followed by an MSc in Quantitative Genetics from the University of Edinburgh, and later returned to St Andrews to complete his PhD in Evolutionary Genomics.
Before joining Xelect, Mark worked at the James Hutton Institute, where he focused on identifying genetic variation in barley, including traits related to disease resistance and premium malting quality. His expertise spans genomic analysis, quantitative genetics, and data-driven breeding strategies, making him a key contributor to Xelect’s mission of delivering precision breeding solutions for aquaculture producers worldwide.
At Xelect, Mark applies his deep knowledge of genetics and data analysis to support selective breeding programmes, optimise genetic progress, and help clients achieve sustainable improvements in production performance.
