Aquaculture Excellence Through Expert Advice
We employ a team of experts with extensive knowledge of aquaculture and aquatic species, dedicated to offering solutions that maximize value and deliver actionable results.
Dr. John Buchanan
President and CEO
Prior to helping launch CAT, Dr. Buchanan served for 5 years as the Director of Research and Development at AquaBounty Technologies. Previously, Dr. Buchanan has held a series of research leadership positions at Louisiana State University, the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, and Kent SeaTech Corporation. Dr. Buchanan has led research on the application of genetic engineering to aquaculture, the use of selective breeding, hatchery technologies, and genomics for improved productivity in finfish, the development of novel therapeutics for aquaculture, and the molecular and genetic basis for virulence in aquatic and human pathogens. He also has experience directing and conducting studies compliant with governmental regulatory standards (GLP/GCP).

Dr. John Buchanan
President and CEO
Prior to helping launch CAT, Dr. Buchanan served for 5 years as the Director of Research and Development at AquaBounty Technologies. Previously, Dr. Buchanan has held a series of research leadership positions at Louisiana State University, the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, and Kent SeaTech Corporation. Dr. Buchanan has led research on the application of genetic engineering to aquaculture, the use of selective breeding, hatchery technologies, and genomics for improved productivity in finfish, the development of novel therapeutics for aquaculture, and the molecular and genetic basis for virulence in aquatic and human pathogens. He also has experience directing and conducting studies compliant with governmental regulatory standards (GLP/GCP).
President and CEO Genetics


Business Development
Simon Hill
Chief Business Development Officer
Simon is a proven strategic business and corporate
development leader, with over 20 years of experience in driving business strategy organically and through acquisition.
His expertise includes strategy development, dynamic financial modeling, and project management. In previous roles, Simon led and managed several significant entrances into new key markets and service offerings within the scope of
aquaculture genetics and research. He is noted for his ability to build collaborative teams and his ability to engage effectively with people at different career levels and from different cultures and backgrounds.
Simon is a Chartered Accountant and has a BSc from Loughborough University.



Business Development
Simon Hill
Chief Business Development Officer
Simon is a proven strategic business and corporate
development leader, with over 20 years of experience in driving business strategy organically and through acquisition.
His expertise includes strategy development, dynamic financial modeling, and project management. In previous roles, Simon led and managed several significant entrances into new key markets and service offerings within the scope of
aquaculture genetics and research. He is noted for his ability to build collaborative teams and his ability to engage effectively with people at different career levels and from different cultures and backgrounds.
Simon is a Chartered Accountant and has a BSc from Loughborough University.
Chief Business Development Officer
Dr. Klara Verbyla
Vice President of Genetic Improvement
Dr. Klara Verbyla brings over a decade of experience in designing and delivering innovative research in genomics, statistical/quantitative genetics, and applied breeding, with expertise in the application of new technologies for the genetic improvement of species.
A graduate of The University of Melbourne, Klara was the recipient of a European Union Marie Curie Early Career Fellowship. She played a pivotal role in the successful commercial implementation of genomic selection for the Tasmanian Atlantic salmon industry and was the genomics expert on the Salmon Applied Breeding team that won the prestigious CSIRO Chairman’s medal for Science Excellence in 2019.
Dr. Verbyla is passionate about the development and use of cutting-edge genetic technologies and data science to improve industry standards on productivity, secure a sustainable global food supply, and protect the earth's natural resources.

Dr. Klara Verbyla
Vice President of Genetic Improvement
Dr. Klara Verbyla brings over a decade of experience in designing and delivering innovative research in genomics, statistical/quantitative genetics, and applied breeding, with expertise in the application of new technologies for the genetic improvement of species.
A graduate of The University of Melbourne, Klara was the recipient of a European Union Marie Curie Early Career Fellowship. She played a pivotal role in the successful commercial implementation of genomic selection for the Tasmanian Atlantic salmon industry and was the genomics expert on the Salmon Applied Breeding team that won the prestigious CSIRO Chairman’s medal for Science Excellence in 2019.
Dr. Verbyla is passionate about the development and use of cutting-edge genetic technologies and data science to improve industry standards on productivity, secure a sustainable global food supply, and protect the earth's natural resources.
Vice President of Genetic Improvement
Alejandro Gutierrez
Director of Breeding
Dr. Alejandro Gutierrez brings over a decade of dedicated expertise to the fields of genomics, genotyping, and selective breeding. He excels in applying genomic and breeding techniques to enhance outcomes in the aquaculture industry. Alejandro earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology while at Simon Fraser University and later extended his knowledge as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Roslin Institute, contributing significantly to research initiatives. Following his role as a Lecturer at the University of Stirling, Alejandro transitioned to CAT, where he leads the breeding and genetic services team, guiding CAT's efforts in broadening its client base and enhancing breeding services.

Alejandro Gutierrez
Director of Breeding
Dr. Alejandro Gutierrez brings over a decade of dedicated expertise to the fields of genomics, genotyping, and selective breeding. He excels in applying genomic and breeding techniques to enhance outcomes in the aquaculture industry. Alejandro earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology while at Simon Fraser University and later extended his knowledge as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Roslin Institute, contributing significantly to research initiatives. Following his role as a Lecturer at the University of Stirling, Alejandro transitioned to CAT, where he leads the breeding and genetic services team, guiding CAT's efforts in broadening its client base and enhancing breeding services.
Director of Breeding


Business Development
Dr. Debbie Plouffe
Vice President of Business Development
Dr. Plouffe is a Molecular and Cell Biologist with a strong background in fish immunology and health, with over 25 years of research and business development experience.
In previous roles, she conducted research and led research on a wide variety of aquaculture topics, including examining genomic approaches to disease management in Atlantic Salmon, among others. Debbie was a member of the team which founded CAT, and her work has helped to shape CAT into the leading genetics and research firm that it is today.
Debbie holds a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta.



Business Development
Dr. Debbie Plouffe
Vice President of Business Development
Dr. Plouffe is a Molecular and Cell Biologist with a strong background in fish immunology and health, with over 25 years of research and business development experience.
In previous roles, she conducted research and led research on a wide variety of aquaculture topics, including examining genomic approaches to disease management in Atlantic Salmon, among others. Debbie was a member of the team which founded CAT, and her work has helped to shape CAT into the leading genetics and research firm that it is today.
Debbie holds a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta.
Vice President of Business Development

Dr. Xavier Lauth
Director of innovation
Dr. Xavier Lauth has expertise in the fields of immunity, host-pathogen interaction, developmental biology, and reproductive physiology. He has been with CAT since its inception and currently serves as Director of innovation developing Genome-editing technologies to improve production traits of aquaculture species. Dr. Lauth has >20+ year of R&D experience, serving in several leadership positions at AquaBounty and Kent Sea Tech following his post-doctoral fellowship at UCSD. He holds a PhD in Cellular and Molecular biology from the University of Strasbourg (France).


Dr. Xavier Lauth
Director of innovation
Dr. Xavier Lauth has expertise in the fields of immunity, host-pathogen interaction, developmental biology, and reproductive physiology. He has been with CAT since its inception and currently serves as Director of innovation developing Genome-editing technologies to improve production traits of aquaculture species. Dr. Lauth has >20+ year of R&D experience, serving in several leadership positions at AquaBounty and Kent Sea Tech following his post-doctoral fellowship at UCSD. He holds a PhD in Cellular and Molecular biology from the University of Strasbourg (France).
Director of innovation
We Innovate
driving the aquaculture industry forward with new technologies and ideas.
We Lead with Integrity
committing to ethical actions and transparent decisions.
We Excel
mastering the complexities of aquatic genetics with unparalleled expertise.
We Collaborate
forging research and solutions for sustainable aquaculture.
We Make a Difference
addressing challenges through ideas that make a difference.