Visiting scientist Sofia Morais is part of a team trying to find the best diet for Atlantic salmon under stress from higher water temperatures.

Dr Morais is from the Institute for Food Research and Technology (IRTA) in Spain and presented a seminar at Deakin’s Warrnambool campus this week on her specialist research.

Since July 2011 at IRTA Dr Morais has set up a new and independent line of research into the effects of lipid composition on the regulation of food intake in Atlantic salmon. 

She said the research would look at the dietary composition — mainly fatty acids — of the salmon in order to improve their general well-being.

Born in Mozambique and raised in Portugal, Dr Morais said science was becoming more global and she hoped the work with Deakin would lead to future collaborations.

“This is a very good opportunity,” she said.

“In the future hopefully it will lead to more joint projects. That’s a long-term goal.”

Her seminar explained IRTA, its mission, research interest and capabilities, and Dr Morais presented a summary of some of her recent research which has taken her across Europe.

Associate Professor Giovanni Turchini, from the Warrnambool campus’ School of Life and Environmental Sciences, echoed Dr Morais and said it was hoped the collaboration would lead to longer links with IRTA.