Interview with Amina Moss

About the role

Dr Amina Moss is a Lecturer in Aquaculture Nutrition at the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling. As an Aquaculture Nutrition Lecturer, Amina specialises in developing sustainable feeding strategies for crustaceans, formulating specialised diets such as microbound feeds, and extracting fractions such as protein, phospholipids from marine by-products. Committed to inclusivity, she contributes to initiatives like the Institute of Aquaculture's EDI committee and Aurora Advance HE.

Career inspiration and background

Inspired by a childhood spent outdoors in The Bahamas, combined with a love for swimming and marine biology, Amina was drawn to aquaculture as a way to combine marine science with food production—addressing the challenge of a country that imports over 95% of its food.

Her career began with a BSc in Biology (minor in Chemistry), followed by master's and doctorate degrees in Japan specialising in Aquaculture Nutrition, focusing on penaeid shrimp. During her time in Japan, she actively visited shrimp farmers, toured farms and feed factories, and learned business operations. After obtaining her PhD, she returned to The Bahamas to teach marine biology courses and redesigned them for online teaching during the coronavirus pandemic, creating practical kits for students to do dissections and fieldwork outdoors.

Inspirational figures and organisations

Kagoshima University in Japan was a significant source of inspiration, particularly in shrimp nutrition research. Renowned researchers including Professors Akio Kanazawa, Shin-ichi Teshima, Shunsuke Koshio and Manabu Ishikawa made considerable contributions to understanding shrimp dietary needs, growth optimization, and health management.

Inequalities in the sector

Amina faced exclusion in Japan from certain projects due to presumptions about childcare responsibilities, which prompted her to proactively seek opportunities with local companies. A recent trip to Malawi highlighted the rarity of black women in aquaculture academia, showing the need for increased representation and diversity. She notes cultural differences between those from countries where aquaculture is established and those from nations building capacity. She recommends outward-reaching mentorship programs from industry, government and academia aimed at persons from various countries and backgrounds to provide access to opportunities they might not otherwise have.

Advice for starting or progressing a career in aquaculture

• Start with biology, chemistry, environmental sciences and marine biology as a foundation.
• Seek internships, volunteer roles, or entry-level positions with industrial partners to gain valuable insights into various career paths and challenges.
• Ask lots of questions and read widely to find your niche area.
• Develop communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills—key competencies in the aquaculture field.

Key drivers for Scottish aquaculture innovation in the next decade

• Advancements in aquaculture nutrition.
• AI technology and AI-driven predictive models.
• Species diversification.
• Developing robust, climate-resilient species that can thrive in changing environmental conditions.
• More research into cultivation of native species or those with lower environmental footprints, aligning with Scotland's rich marine biodiversity and sustainability goals.