When I was a child, I once told my mother I wanted to be a researcher when I grew up. At the time, I don’t think either of us realized how much that statement would shape my life.
My path has always followed a deep love of nature, especially the ocean. As a teenager growing up by the Mediterranean, I was drawn to the mystery and magnetism of what lay beneath the waves. Snorkeling and spearfishing weren’t just hobbies; they were my first scientific explorations. I was captivated by the quiet power of the sea, and by role models like Jacques Cousteau who made underwater exploration feel heroic.
At the University of Maine, I earned my SCUBA certification and began to see how marine science could be a career. I dove into night dives glowing with bioluminescence, worked alongside aquaculture researchers, and developed a belief that we must move from harvesting wild stocks to farming the sea responsibly. Aquaculture, to me, isn’t just about seafood. It’s a sustainable future.
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats: soldier, diver, researcher, conservationist, scientist, and today, biotech entrepreneur.
But science has always been at the core.
My career highlights include the discovery of a new marine worm species in a Damariscotta River mudflat on my birthday, conducting the first marine turtle nesting surveys in North Cyprus, and quantifying marine debris for an UN-supported study. I’ve published research, passed PhD orals, and traveled to five continents. I’ve always approached the world as an observer, someone drawn to understanding how ecosystems, and now businesses, interconnect.
Acquiring Salmonics was a pivotal moment.
The unexpected opportunity came through a long-standing relationship with Sea Run Holdings, a pioneering company in the industry that was creating cutting-edge therapeutics through the natural healing power of fish blood, particularly salmon-derived proteins. What intrigued me was a space that had been overlooked, an innovation gap that needed attention. Establishing and taking the helm of Salmonics was a way to make a lasting impact on the environment by adding scientific value where others saw waste. It was a convergence of my scientific experience, entrepreneurial itch, and lifelong desire to protect our waters and respect nature.
Science and entrepreneurship aren’t an easy mix.
Building a company is a roller coaster. The early days feel exciting and possible. But growth, fundraising, and avoiding burnout are where the real challenges lie. My advice to fellow scientists-turned-innovators: get help early. You can’t know everything, and you shouldn’t try to. Accept that it may take longer than you expect. Be prepared for periods with no salary. Protect your energy and prioritize. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint, so be prepared to pace yourself for the long haul.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned?
Let inspiration guide you, but don’t wait too long to act. Opportunities are often fleeting, and life has a way of opening unexpected doors. Take them. Listen carefully to mentors and peers, but ultimately, trust your inner compass. What you do, and what you choose not to do, has a ripple effect far beyond you.
The business of innovation is, at its core, about curiosity, commitment, and the courage to create something new. Whether under the surface of the ocean or within a biotech startup, that drive to explore remains the same.
