During International Day for Women and Girls in Science, we’re talking to some of the inspiring women scientists who are making their marks at Nutreco. For Sol Canny, who works at Skretting Aquaculture Innovation (AI), aquaculture was the field where she could move beyond theoretical science to practical interventions that improve human health. Find out how she is pursuing her dream of creating a world where all children have access to healthy protein – and about her surprising claim that we are only 10% human!
Tell us a bit about yourself and your role in Nutreco
I am from Arequipa, Perú. My original plan was to become an agronomist and grow coffee, cacao and fruits in the Peruvian Andes. However, early in my studies, I became fascinated with genetics, microbiology and biochemistry, which led me to switch to a biology degree. I completed my doctorate at Rice University in Houston, Texas, where I encountered fish for the first time – actually, zebrafish embryos just a few cells old.
For my post-doctoral research at Duke University, I combined my passions for microbiology and fish developmental biology. I created a model to study how water pollutants and the fish gut microbiome interact to regulate body size and even contribute to obesity. This raised a bigger question: how could I translate what I learned from fish to humans? How long will it take in my “one wild and precious life,” to quote the poet Mary Oliver?
Aquaculture became my answer – a field where I could move beyond models and mechanistic insights to practical interventions that improve human nutrition and
health. Joining Skretting AI was the perfect fit, as we are focused on developing innovative and sustainable solutions that help Nutreco pursue its purpose of Feeding the Future.
At Nutreco, I am building internal microbiology capabilities by:
- Implementing gene sequencing technologies to understand – and potentially manipulate – the intestinal and environmental microbiomes in aquaculture systems to improve fish and shrimp health and welfare.
- Establishing a microbiology laboratory to work with bacteria and viruses, harnessing their biological "superpowers" for disease prevention and creating efficient platforms to test new ingredients.
What inspired you to pursue a career in science?
Growing up, my grandma and mom encouraged me to be whoever I wanted to be. My mom taught me the value of curiosity and observation – that there’s always something to learn from people and experiences. Despite limited financial resources, she always managed to find the coolest books in town. My grandma would buy me popular science magazines filled with mesmerizing stories about the Big Bang, gene therapy, and the limits of the human lifespan. She never questioned why I’d want those as a “treat.” In our family, learning and freedom were core values, so I suppose the environment was brimming with inspiration. Things could have turned out differently, though – I’ve always loved literature. But science offered an element of service and continuity that drew me in. So, I decided to chase my teenage dreams of saving the world through science. Still working on it!
Can you share a moment in your career that made you feel especially proud?
The day of my public doctorate thesis defense was a full house – my mom, friends, and colleagues were all there. My thesis advisor, Daniel S. Wagner, began his introduction by highlighting the presence of people from various universities, research centers, and hospitals in the area. I still remember his words: “This is a testament to the fact that Sol has impacted the research community beyond the bench.”
I believe the communal nature of science is often underestimated, both by the general public and even by scientists themselves. Science is about building on the work of others, and the evaluation and critiques of our peers only serve to improve our work. Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to solving complex problems. That day, I felt like a truly valuable – and valued – member of the scientific community.
How do you hope your work will influence the scientific community and the animal protein production in the future?
What keeps me motivated in this seemingly impossible task? We don’t often stop to think about it, but the atoms and molecules from the fish fillet you just ate will become part of your own cells. You are – literally – what you eat. Eating is not only a pleasure, a way to connect with others, and a stage for many of our memories, but it is also a human right. I dream of a world where all children have access to healthy protein, especially during the critical stages of their development, so that they may have equal opportunities – cognitive and physical. I hope the methods I develop and the ideas I bring to life will help bring the world closer to this vision.
Can you share a fun or surprising fact about your research or field of expertise?
While estimates may vary, my dear readers, you are roughly only 10% human. About 90% of the total genes in your body actually come from the bacteria that have colonized you since birth. In fact, you’re likely carrying around 1 to 2 kilograms of bacteria with you.
