We’re delighted to announce the addition of two highly skilled professionals to our team at Xelect: Duncan Henderson and Dr Silvia Garcia-Ballesteros, who join us as Breeding Programme Managers. Both bring exceptional expertise in genetics and breeding programme design, strengthening our commitment to delivering world-class solutions for aquaculture producers worldwide.
Duncan Henderson
Duncan specialises in animal breeding and genetics, holding an MSc in Quantitative Genetics and Genome Analysis from the University of Edinburgh. His expertise lies in applying advanced statistical methods to accelerate genetic progress in aquaculture.
Before joining Xelect, Duncan was a Research Associate at the Roslin Institute, working on the DIVERS project to investigate genotype-by-environment interactions for environmentally resilient salmon—a critical step toward climate adaptation. He also has experience in genomic prediction and breeding simulation for commercial programmes.
At Xelect, Duncan will play a key role in designing and implementing breeding programmes for aquaculture producers worldwide. His work combines strategic planning, data-driven decision-making, and hands-on consultancy to help clients achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.
Dr Silvia Garcia-Ballesteros
Silvia holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine and a master’s in Biostatistics from the Complutense University of Madrid, where she earned her PhD in Veterinary Science through a collaborative programme with INIA-CSIC. Her doctoral research focused on applying genomic tools to enhance breeding programmes in species such as white shrimp, Atlantic salmon, and rainbow trout.
Silvia’s professional experience spans international projects, including two years with the National Aquaculture Group (NAQUA) in Saudi Arabia, optimising breeding programmes for Penaeus vannamei. She later contributed to a Spanish national research initiative on disease-resistance traits in aquaculture, integrating epidemiological and genetic modelling approaches. Beyond aquaculture, Silvia also worked on developing breeding programmes for Purebred Arabian Horses.
Passionate about aquaculture’s potential to drive sustainability, Silvia is inspired by the diversity of species and the opportunity to innovate in a young and rapidly evolving field.
