Dr Juli-Anne Russo

Aquaculture Scientist • Entrepreneur • Writer
Founder & CEO, Caribbean Aquaculture Education and Innovation Hub
Director, Latin American & Caribbean Chapter, World Aquaculture Society
Fed by Blue Advisory Board Member
Aquaculture Advisor, Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Working Group
7 Years of Experience in the Blue Economy Sector

Professional Overview

Dr. Juli-Anne Royes Russo is a Jamaican aquaculture scientist, nonprofit founder, and writer with 10+ years of experience designing and delivering aquaculture training programs across the Caribbean.

As Founder and CEO of the Caribbean Aquaculture Education and Innovation Hub, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, she leads a global consortium of scientists focused on strengthening STEM education, building technical capacity, and shaping a more resilient and inclusive Caribbean blue economy. Her work emphasizes youth engagement, gender equity, climate resilience, and responsible food systems.

She serves as a current Director of the Latin American & Caribbean Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society and as a board advisor and technical expert to multiple regional and global blue food initiatives. Her recent career spans consulting roles with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), The Nature Conservancy, USAID, IDB, and Green Climate Fund–aligned projects.

Dr. Royes Russo specializes in fish health and biosecurity measures, fish nutrition, aquafeed development, and best management practices for sustainable aquaculture.

Recent Career History

Caribbean Aquaculture Education & Innovation Hub (2024–Present)

Founder & CEO
Leads strategic planning, fundraising, scientific coordination, and educational initiatives that integrate aquaculture into STEM pathways. Oversees program design, mentorship, and stakeholder engagement across the Caribbean diaspora, regional governments, and academia.

National Fisheries Authority, Jamaica (2025)

Ornamental Fish Production & Export Logistics Consultant
Trained members of the Jamaica Aquaculture and Marine Cooperative (JAMC) in fish nutrition, feed formulation, health management, and best production practices. Conducted situational and gap analyses of Jamaica’s ornamental sector to enhance export-readiness.

FAO – Bangkok, Thailand (2024)

Aquaculture Expert Consultant
Selected among 24 global experts to review and redesign the CCRF-AQ questionnaire for FAO Member States. Proposed revisions and strategies to increase global participation and strengthen aquaculture governance and reporting.

Eco Ltd / FAO/ Green Climate Fund – St. Lucia (2023)

Aquaculture Technical Consultant
Assessed climate resilience and adaptation needs for the tilapia, seamoss, and aquaponics sectors. Conducted national stakeholder engagement, SWOT analyses, and developed strategic priorities for Green Climate Fund readiness.

The Nature Conservancy – Jamaica & Belize (2023)

Seaweed Aquaculture Consultant
Completed a national baseline assessment of seaweed farming in Jamaica and contributed to updated Better Management Practices for Belize’s seaweed industry.

Fulbright Specialist Fellow –Eleuthera Island, The Bahamas (2023)

Aquaculture Nutrition & Aquafeed Specialist
Provided advanced training in feed formulation and research system design at the Island School’s Aquafeed Research Facility. Supported women and youth in STEM and strengthened local food system innovation.

FAO – Rome (2021)

Aquaculture Biosecurity Consultant
Contributed to global disease manuals (EUS, TiLV), biosecurity guidelines, and the development of FAO’s Progressive Management Pathway for Aquaculture Biosecurity.

Selected Earlier Consultancies (2006–2021)

• Zambia (Farmer to Farmer, Partners of the Americas, 2021): Taught water quality, feed formulation, and farm-made feeds for tilapia.
• Nepal (Winrock International, 2018): Trained carp farmers in water quality, fish nutrition, and disease diagnostics.
• Jamaica (Compete Caribbean | IDB, 2015): Delivered national fish health, nutrition, and feed management training.

Education

Ph.D., Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences — University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
M.Sc., Animal Science — University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
B.Sc., Zoology & Chemistry — University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica

Professional Affiliations

World Aquaculture Society (WAS) • Latin American & Caribbean Chapter (LAC-WAS)
Aquaculture without Frontiers (AwF)
Global Seaweed Coalition
Blue Foods Aquatic Coalition
Association of International Seafood Professionals

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Fri. 15 May 2026 | 4^th  Workshop. Knowledge Bridges. Passing Industry Expertise from Senior Professionals to Emerging Talent