Domniki Manousi

Robledo Group, Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Current research

I am a postdoctoral research jack of a few trades, mainly focusing on understanding how differences in the genomic profile of individuals in aquaculture leads to changes in their performance, including disease response. I use my quantitative genetics and bioinformatics skills to analyse the genome of aquaculture fish populations and uncover simple and complex genetic variation among individuals. Using this information, I investigate the potential association between genetic differences and expression of important traits and assess the genetic potential of fish carrying more or less desirable characteristics to drive breeding decisions for future aquaculture populations.

Favourite aquaculture species

 

Dom in a river with her dog

Atlantic salmon! Atlantic salmon is a very tricky fish… but tricky is fun, right?

Background


As an undergraduate student I studied animal sciences at the Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki (ATEITH, Greece), where I was first introduced to the magic of aquaculture genetics. Following my graduation I worked on an Aquaculture company as research staff, experimenting with how changes in fish feed can improve growth in European seabass. I knew fish was the way to go and so shortly after the experiment ended, I applied for a Master’s program in Animal Breeding and genetics at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU, Norway). As part of my M.Sc. degree, I did an internship in an Atlantic salmon aquaculture company and I truly fell in love with Atlantic salmon genomics.

After wrapping up my M.Sc. studies I took part in a large scientific project investigating the genetic basis of fresh-to-sea water transition of juvenile Atlantic salmon, handling large genomics and transcriptomics datasets to explore how different rearing conditions influence the capacity of salmon to prepare for its sea life-stage. I finally transitioned into a Ph.D. student at NMBU and delved deeper into Atlantic salmon genomics, investigating how the complex genetic landscape of this species influences immune response. After finishing my Ph.D., I embarked on a thrilling opportunity to continue to work with Atlantic salmon and Rainbow trout disease response at the Roslin Institute.. and here I am! 😊

(2012 – 2018)       B.Sc. Animal production technology, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece

(2018 – 2019)       Research Associate, NIREUS Aquaculture SA, Department of Research and Development, Greece

(2019 – 2021)       M.Sc. Animal breeding and genetics, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)             

(2021 – 2022)      Research Associate, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Centre of Integrative Genetics (CIGENE)

(2022 – 2025)      Ph.D. in Molecular genomics and Bioinformatics (fully-funded), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Centre of Integrative Genetics (CIGENE)

(2025 – Present)  Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh

Interests, hopes and dreams

I am a big fan of alternative fashion, fashion history and variable music scenes. So, although you will likely never find me exploring the wilderness, I will gladly safari the local vinyl store hunting for new and exciting releases or dive into the darkest depths of clothing racks for interesting shapes and fabrics. Owning to my -very- old cosplayer days, for my next small project I would like to go back to making again my own décor, clothing and accessories. 

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