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Global Advisors
Dr Albert Tacon
Global Advisor(Aquaculture/Nutrition Support)
Dr Albert Tacon is owner/founder of AQUAHANA LLC has been working as an independent consultant in aquaculture and aquaculture nutrition. He has 45 years of professional experience in aquaculture research & development, with a specialty focus on aquatic feeds & nutrition. With 43 in-country work experiences with FAO & other agencies in aquaculture and aquaculture nutrition related activities, he has over 250 scientific publications and one patent.
Dr Steve Leeson
Global Advisor(Poultry Nutrition and Management)
Dr Steve Leeson, Professor Emeritus at the University of Guelph is one of the most prominent figures in poultry nutrition. Dr. Leeson's main area of research was potential for manipulation of eggs and poultry meat as it impacts human health. He worked on incorporating omega-3 and other polyunsaturates into eggs for 10 years, and studied the transfer efficiency of lutein into eggs. Lutein is known to sustain eye health in humans, and eggs will likely become a major dietary source of this nutraceutical. Other research involves the use of medium-chain triglycerides to impact gut health in the absence of antibiotic growth promoters. These natural fats are bactericidal, and some are important in sustaining intestinal integrity and development.
Dr. Dominique Bureau
Global Advisor(Nutrition/Farming Systems Research)
Dr. Dominique P. Bureau, a globally known expert in fish and crustacean nutrition, is a Professor at the Department of Animal Biosciences of the University of Guelph, Canada. Dr. Bureau manages the Fish Nutrition Research Laboratory where he leads a dynamic research program focusing on nutrients metabolism and utilization, feedstuff evaluation and feed formulation, managing environmental impacts of aquaculture operations, integration and valorization of published scientific information, and development of mathematical models of digestion, growth and nutrient utilization for aquaculture species. Dr. Bureau, a member of the US NRC Committee on Nutrient Requirements of Fish and Shrimp (2009-2011), currently leads the International Aquaculture Feed Formulation Data base (IAFFD, www.iaffd.com) project. Also, an entrepreneur, Dr. Bureau is co-founder of Wittaya Aqua International (wittaya-aqua.ca), a thriving start-up developing a suite of cutting-edge online tools for aquaculture operations, feed manufacturers and ingredient suppliers.
Dr. Peter Chrystal
Global Advisor(Poultry Nutrition and Management)
Peter completed his Bachelor of Science in South Africa under Professor Rob Gous and PhD in poultry nutrition at the University of Sydney, investigating reduced protein diets in broiler chickens. Peter has extensive commercial experience in both monogastric feeds and vitamin and trace mineral premix manufacture. He has worked as a nutritionist for the largest poultry integrators in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, where he currently works for Baiada Poultry, based in Sydney. Peter has presented at a number of conferences around the globe and been both author and co-author of several peer reviewed publications. He has successfully used the Mechanistic EFG broiler Model as a tool to improve broiler performance and profitability for a number of different broiler companies. Current challenges in Australia include nutritional strategies for growing broilers in a reduced antibiotic environment and deciding on what alternatives (if any) should be used. In addition, his interest in reducing crude protein in commercial broiler diets, without sacrificing broiler performance, to achieve a reduction of litter moisture (and nitrogen excretion) and ultimately improve bird welfare and sustainability outcomes is receiving a great deal of attention.
National Advisors
Mr. Shamsul Hadi Khan
National AdvisorAquaculture consultant
Mr S Hadi Khan Shamsul Hadi Khan brings forth over 30 years of dedicated experience in the aquaculture industry, specializing in black tiger shrimp (P.monodon) and freshwater Giant Prawn (M. rosenbergii) in Bangladesh and Myanmar. His specific focus revolves around the development of shrimp broodstock through meticulous field-based research, demonstrating a keen interest in advancing the industry. As a Founding Partner of PentaGreen Marketing, a prominent commercial importer and distributor of Aquaculture and Animal Nutritional Products in Bangladesh, he contributes to the growth and success of the business. His involvement with WorldFish in the "Feed the Future Aquaculture (FtF AQ) Project," funded by USAID, allowed him to conduct a comprehensive analysis of feasibility, leading to the design and successful implementation of an innovative shrimp hatchery concept known as "one mother one tank." In collaboration with FAO, he served as a national consultant to develop a national shrimp seed certification system, specifically focusing on brood collection and management. He enthusiastically enjoys learning from new experiences through trial and error and seeks insights from foreign experts.
Mr. Aurpon Rahman
National AdvisorRecirculation Aquaculture Systems (RAS)
A passionate aquaculturist, Mr. Aurpon built the first commercially successful freshwater RAS farm, Oliza Monowar Fisheries and Agro, in Ashulia, near Dhaka. He has also helped building several other RAS facilities in Bangladesh. Main characteristic of his farms is that about 80% of the equipment are locally built.
Mr. Aung Tun Aye
National Advisor(Nutrition/field support)
He has over two decades of experience in animal nutrition, feed formulation and quality assurance. He is a founder of ‘Agro Solution’, a dedicated and mission-driven entity that offer IT based technological solution for animal nutrition, feed process management, raw materials evaluation and farm-based technical support. He also provides technical support to the leading commercial animal feed companies in Bangladesh. With the proven track record, he has built trust, partnership and professional networks to overcome any challenges intertwine with animal biology, feed and nutrition, and quality assurance in agro-sector.
Mr. Mizanur Rahman
National Advisor(Feed mill support/Laboratory)
He has Bachelor and Master’s in Chemistry from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. With 20+ years experience in laboratory chemical analysis and feed technology research, he also provides technical support to several aquafeed companies in Bangladesh.
Operational Team
Dr. Kabir Chowdhury
Founder/Chief Executive OfficerBorn in Bangladesh and trained in Bangladesh, Thailand and Canada, Kabir Chowdhury has more than 30 years of experience in the field of aquaculture and aquaculture nutrition worldwide. He has published or presented 100+ publications in leading aquaculture and nutrition journals, conference and symposium proceedings, and a book on environmental assessment guidelines for coastal aquaculture. Upon completion of PhD and a brief stint as post-doctoral fellow at the University of Guelph, Canada, he joined Jefo Nutrition Inc., a Canadian based global leader among non-medicated feed additive providers, as Global Technical Director for aquaculture. His expertise covers evaluation of novel plant proteins, and the effects of anti-nutrients and fibers on nutrient utilization by aquatic animals. He has also extensively studied the effects of various functional feed additives on freshwater and marine species grown in both tropical and temperate climates. He is also a co-founder of Professional Aquaculture Nutritionists (PAN) previously Aquaculture Nutritionists Network (ANN) along with Dr. Albert Tacon. Recently, he founded Maverick Innovation, a state-of-the-art research facility to evaluate novel ideas and technologies in aquatic animals, where one of his works has recently been awarded as one of the top 10 winners out of 7000+ participants at the Bangabandhu Innovation Grant (BIG) Award competition in Bangladesh.
Md. Taijul Islam
Aqualab coordinatorHe has a diploma in Fisheries from M.S. Zoha Krishi College, Chuadanga. Prior to Maverick Innovation, he has over 5 years of experience working at Meridian Hatchery, Mirsarai, Chittagong and LIFT (Learning and Innovation Fund to Test New Ideas) project of PKSF, Gangni, Meherpur. Mr Islam has a strong dedication in aquaculture hatchery technical assistance.
Ankon Lahiry
Manager (Poultry Research and Development Division)He graduated from Bangladesh Agricultural University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry, under Faculty of Animal Husbandry, and a Master of Science in Poultry Science, under Department of Poultry Science. He is passionate about various aspects of poultry sciences, including nutrition, housing, management, behavior, welfare, egg and meat quality of poultry. He has been part of a research team at the same university that works on poultry research and development, as well as providing production, management, and consultancy services to address challenges and improve production outcomes.
Md. Shamim Munshi
Purchase officerHe has over 5 years’ experience in operations and supports activities in different organizations in home and abroad. Mr Munsi has a diploma in Refrigeration and Air-condition Technology from Bhola Polytechnic Institute, Bhola.
Dr. M Forruq Rahman
Lead (Aqua Innovation Research)He has a doctorate in Fisheries Resources from the Fisheries College of the Ocean University of China and a Master of Science in Marine Science, with specialization in Aquaculture from the University of Chittagong. His keen interest in aquatic sciences (i.e. aquaculture, aquatic ecology, aquatic animal health, and biology), fisheries management and climate change adaptation. He has ten years of professional experience and worked with research team focusing on aquaculture practices, coastal community and scaling up adaptation to climate change.
Contact Us
- info@maverickinnovation.org
- Maverick innovation centre, Vannara, Bangladesh
