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    • ACADEMIC STAFF >
      • Bjarni Kristófer Kristjánsson
      • Camille A. Leblanc
      • David Benhaim
      • Paul V. Debes
      • Skúli Skúlason
      • Stefán Óli Steingrímsson
    • SUPPORT STAFF >
      • Marie Delbasty
    • STUDENTS AND POSTDOC >
      • Grant Haines
    • ALUMNI
  • Education
    • AQUACULTURE DIPLOMA
    • MASTER IN AQUATIC BIOLOGY
    • NORDIC MASTER - MARBIO
  • Research +
    • Biodiversity lab >
      • FishFAR
      • ECO-EVO-DEVO
      • Evolution of cognition: A study of sympatric morphs of Arctic charr
      • Microevolutionary processes in small populations
      • The importance of egg size for phenotypic variations and divergence in wild populations
    • Aquaculture lab >
      • Development of personality in the Arctic charr
      • Egg quality and growth in selected Arctic charr
      • Enhanced Soy Protein for Salmonid Aquafeeds
      • Breeding program
    • Publications
    • Research policy >
      • Research Policy of the Department of Aquaculture & Fish Biology
      • Appendix 1 - Focus of Research
      • Appendix 2 - Storage and access to databases
      • Appendix 3 - Storage and registration of samples
  • Facilities+
    • Our research station
    • Breeding station
  • SYMPOSIUM
    • SEMINAR SERIES
    • Mývatn Conference 2024
    • Stickleback 2022
  • News
  • WORK WITH US
    • INTERNSHIPS AND JOBS
    • LIVE AT HÓLAR
  • CONTACT

People

Academic Staff

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Bjarni Kristófer Kristjánsson
Professor
bjakk@holar.is
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Camille Leblanc
Professor
​Head of the Department
​camille@holar.is
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David Benhaïm
Professor
benhaim@holar.is
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Einar Svavarsson
Assistant Professor
[email protected]
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​Paul Debes
Associate Professor
​debes@holar.is
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Eva Kuttner
Assistant Professor and Project Manager
evak@holar.is​
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​Skúli Skúlason
Professor
​skuli@holar.is
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Ólafur I. Sigurgeirsson
Assistant Professor
​olisig@holar.is
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Stefán Óli Steingrímsson
Professor
[email protected]

Technical & support Staff

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Amber Christina Monroe
International Coordinator
[email protected]
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Kári H. Árnason
Station Manager
kariheidar@holar.is
Krista Maria Veijonen
Laboratory Technician
​
[email protected]
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​Lára Gunndís


Academic Affairs Manager
​

[email protected]

Marie Delbasty
Teaching and Research Assistant
​delbasty​@holar.is

Technical staff at the Breeding station

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Amber Christina Monroe
Research Technician
[email protected]
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Guðmundur Björnsson
Research Technician
​gummi@holar.is
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Jonasz Piotr Bzowski
Research Technician
[email protected]

Postdoctoral Researchers

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​Name: Grant Haines

From: United States of America
 
​Study: Postdoctoral, Hólar University 

​
​Started in: 2023 - 3 years post doc
​

​Project: Ecology, life history, and selection in small charr populations (Microevolutionary processes in small populations).

Advisors: Bjarni Kristófer Kristjánsson and Camille Leblanc

GRADUATE STUDENTS


Masters students

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Name: Alex Zinck
 
From: United States of America

Study: MSc in Aquatic Biology, Hólar University 

​
Started in: 2025

​Project: Physiological mechanisms underlying personality in the Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus).
 
Advisor: David Benhaïm
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Name: Kelsey Stansberry
​

From: United States of America
 
Study: MSc in Aquatic Biology, Hólar University 

Started in: 2024

​Project: Effects of prey distribution on resource defense behavior in juvenile Arctic charr.
 
Advisor:  Stefán Óli Steingrímsson
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Name: Friðþjófur Árnason
 
From: Iceland
 
Study: MSc in Aquatic Biology, Hólar University, 
in collaboration with the Marine and Freshwater Institute
 
Project: 
Density-dependent growth in juvenile stream-dwelling salmonids in Iceland.
 
Advisor: Stefán Óli Steingrímsson
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Name: Ben Andrews
 
From: Canada 
 
Study: MSc in Aquatic Biology, Hólar University in collaboration with the University of New Brunswick
 
Project: Comparison of Diel Activity and Growth in Three Species of Stream-Dwelling Salmonids.
 
Advisor: Stefán Óli Steingrímsson


​
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Name: Krystal Mannion
​

From: United States of America
 
Study: MSc in Aquatic Biology, Hólar University 
 
Project: Diel activity in Arctic charr: Phenotypic and ecological determinants. Specifically, my thesis focuses the role of intraspecific competition (i.e. food availability), and individual differences in behavior, on diel activity and foraging patterns of juvenile Arctic charr. 
 
​Advisor:  Stefán Óli Steingrímsson
Name: Margrét Thorsteinsson

From: Iceland

Study: M.Sc. in Aquatic Biology, in collaboration with the University of
Iceland's Research Centre of the Westfjords and the Westfjords Iceland
Nature Research Centre


Project: Habitat dynamics of wild anadromous Arctic charr and brown
​trout in Iceland, and the potential association with salmon lice infection.
​

Advisors: Stefán Óli Steingrímsson and Guðbjörg Ásta Ólafsdóttir
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Name: Michael Galloway
 
From: United States of America
 
Study: MSc in Aquatic Biology, Hólar University 
 
Project: Diel activity in Arctic charr: Phenotypic and ecological
determinants. Specifically, my Masters thesis will focus on
metabolic rates as a "predictor" of diel activity; linking metabolic
rate (and scope) to daily activity of arctic charr in a semi-natural,
stream environment. 

 
​Advisor: Stefán Óli Steingrímsson
 


Doctoral students


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Name: Gabrielle Ladurée

From: France

Study: PhD, University of Iceland and Hólar University

Started in: 2022

Project: Space use, social systems, and personality in stream-dwelling salmonids.
​
Advisor: Stefán Óli Steingrímsson
Name: Sabine B. C. Lobligeois

​From: France

Study: PhD, University of Iceland and Hólar University

Started in: 2023

Project: Development of personality traits in farmed Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus).
​​
Advisor: David Benhaïm
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Name: Christian Beuvard

From: France

Study: PhD student from the University of Iceland

​Project: The effect of different parameters (oxygen, CO2 and temperature) on growth and metabolism in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). 

Advisor: Helgi Thorarensen
​
Name: Dan Govoni

From: United States of America

Study:  PhD , University of Iceland and Hólar University
​

Project: Surface and subsurface community and food web dynamics across a thermal gradient in Icelandic streams.
​

Advisor: Bjarni Kristófer Kristjánsson
​
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Name: Safina Musa

From: Kenya 

Study: PhD 

Project: Effects of feeding rates and fertilazation on water quality dynamics, growth and economic performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). 

Advisor: Helgi Thorarensen
Name: Sigurður Árnason

From: Iceland

Study: PhD, University of Iceland
 and Hólar University


Project: Studying the fine scale ecological drivers of phenotypic
diversity in populations of Small Benthic Arctic Charr from
spring fed streams, ponds, caves, and hydroelectric reservoirs
​throught the volcanically active zone of Iceland.

​
Advisor: Bjarni K. Kristjánsson


Former Graduate Students ​
​​PhD
2025 - Alessandra Schnider, University of Iceland​ - Thesis title: Phenotypic plasticity in Mývatn threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus): response to temperature and diet within and across generations. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/5534

​
2024 - Marion Dellinger, University of Iceland​ - Thesis title: Eco-evolutionary processes in personality and spatial cognition of Arctic charr morphs (Salvelinus alpinus). 
​https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/5134

2024 - Bethany Smith, University of Glasgow - Thesis title: Evolution and plasticity in geothermal three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus). 
https://theses.gla.ac.uk/84261/4/2023SmithBethanyPhD.pdf

2023 - Rosanne Beukeboom, University of Iceland - Thesis title: Can personality predict movement patterns and space use in fishes?: A study case on partial-migrating Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and stream-dwelling Arctic Charr (Salvelinus alpinus). https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/4519

2020 - Hildur Magnúsdóttir, University of Iceland - Thesis title: Phenotypic and genotypic variation in the subtidal gastropod Buccinum undatum. 
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/2123

2020 - Agnes-Katharina Kreiling, University of Iceland - Thesis title: Invertebrate diversity in Icelandic freshwater springs. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/2087

2019 - Samantha Victoria Beck, University of Iceland - Thesis title: The influence of egg size for the diversification of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) morphs. 
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/1017

2017 - Godfrey K. Kubiriza, University of Iceland - Thesis title: The effects of dietary lipid oxidation on farmed fish. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/349

2016 - Nicolas Larranaga, University of Iceland - Thesis title: Ecological correlates of diel activity in Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/151

2013 - Antoine Millet, University of Iceland - Thesis title: Spatio-temporal variation of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in the dynamic Lake Mývatn, Iceland.



​M.Sc. 
2025 - Stina Edin Johannsson, Hólar University - Thesis title: Aquaponics and Plant-Based Consumption: A Nordic Perspective Evaluating Attitudes Towards Aquaponics Among Vegan and Vegetarian Consumers in Iceland and Sweden. marbio-stinaedinjohansson-final.pdf

2024 - Leanne Alicia Morris, Hólar University - Thesis title: Influence of river proximity on water quality and its impact on Caribbean mangrove oyster populations: A case study in Bowden Bay, St. Thomas, Jamaica. https://www.grocentre.is/static/gro/publication/1804/document/Leanne-MS-thesis-November-25th-2024.pdf

2023 - Spencer William Edwards, Hólar University - Thesis title: Variation in shoaling behavior in lake Mývatn threespine stickleback in relation to temperature and origin. 
http://hdl.handle.net/1946/45851

2023 - Ragna Guðrún Snorradóttir, Hólar University - Thesis title: Relationships between phenotype, diet, and individual specialization of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in Lake Mývatn, Iceland. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/45821

2022 - Meri Katariina Hynnenin, Hólar University - Thesis title: University Vocalizing behavior in killer whales (Orcinus orca) – an evolutionary account.  
https://skemman.is/bitstream/1946/40990/1/MSc%20Thesis.Katariina.PDF

2021 - Amber Monroe, Hólar University - Thesis title: The effects of water quality on the growth of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus). http://hdl.handle.net/1946/45868

2021 - Joris Philip, Hólar University - Thesis title: Effects of environmental enrichment on personality traits in juvenile Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) : interplay with brain morphology, growth performance and implication for welfare. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/40022

2019 - Eva Dögg Jóhannesdóttir. Hólar University - Thesis title: Sea lice infestation on wild salmonids in the southern part of the Icelandic Westfjords. 
http://hdl.handle.net/1946/33972

2018 - Marlene Kundruhn, University of Cologne Germany - Thesis title: Morphological diversity of otoliths in small benthic Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in relation to ecological factors.

2018 - Doriane Combot, Hólar University - Thesis title: Biological diversity of epibenthic invertebrates in relation to environmental factors in lava caves around Lake Mývatn (N-E Iceland). http://hdl.handle.net/1946/41153

2016 - Coralie Delarue, Hólar University - Thesis title: Plasticity of trait divergence in threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from Lake Mývatn, Iceland. 
http://hdl.handle.net/1946/26922

2015 - Jónína Herdís Ólafsdóttir, Hólar University - Thesis title: Biological diversity in Icelandic groundwater fissures. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/23776

2015 - Jóhann Garðar Þorbjörnsson, Hólar University - Thesis title: Impacts of SCUBA divers in the Silfra groundwater fissure : ecological disturbance and management. 
http://hdl.handle.net/1946/23777

2014 - Amy Fingerle, Hólar University - Thesis title: Effect of population density on diel activity and growth in stream-dwelling Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus. 
http://hdl.handle.net/1946/20592

2013 - Filipe André Moreira De Figueiredo, Hólar University - Thesis title: Control of sexual maturation and growth in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) by use of cold cathode light technology. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/16873

2013 - Sarah Jane Kennedy, University Centre of the Westfjords - Thesis title: The effect of water temperature on the feeding behaviour of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) in a natural stream : potential effects of climate change. http://hdl.handle.net/1946/15837
​
​2012 - Soizic Nicole Le Deuff, Hólar University - Thesis title: The effect of photoperiod on juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). http://hdl.handle.net/1946/15195

2012 - Tamara Diethelm, ETH, Switzerland - Thesis title: Maternal investment and maternal effects in three-spine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) inhabiting contrasting temperatures.

2011 - Mathew Stephen Seymour, Hólar University - Thesis title: Threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in Belgjarskógur, Iceland: Phenotypic and genetic divergence at a small spatial scale.

2011 - Daniel P. Govoni, Hólar University - Thesis title: Influences of spring type, physicochemical factors and longitudinal changes in freshwater spring invertebrate ecology. 
http://hdl.handle.net/1946/14070

2010 - Andrea Koopmans, ETH, Switzerland - Thesis title: Divergence in functional morphology: diet and gill raker structure in threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in Lake Mývatn, Iceland.

2010 - Mike Senn, University of Zurich - Thesis title: Divergence in reproductive traits of three-spine stickleback inhabiting contrasting temperatures.

2009 - Guðmundur S. Gunnarsson, University of Iceland - Thesis title: Territorial and foraging behaviour of juvenile salmonids in Icelandic streams. 
​
http://hdl.handle.net/1946/2737

2008 - Tyler D. Tunney, University of Iceland - Thesis title: Foraging mode of wild salmonids in Icelandic streams. tdtunney_ms_manuscript_print.pdf
  • Home
  • People +
    • ACADEMIC STAFF >
      • Bjarni Kristófer Kristjánsson
      • Camille A. Leblanc
      • David Benhaim
      • Paul V. Debes
      • Skúli Skúlason
      • Stefán Óli Steingrímsson
    • SUPPORT STAFF >
      • Marie Delbasty
    • STUDENTS AND POSTDOC >
      • Grant Haines
    • ALUMNI
  • Education
    • AQUACULTURE DIPLOMA
    • MASTER IN AQUATIC BIOLOGY
    • NORDIC MASTER - MARBIO
  • Research +
    • Biodiversity lab >
      • FishFAR
      • ECO-EVO-DEVO
      • Evolution of cognition: A study of sympatric morphs of Arctic charr
      • Microevolutionary processes in small populations
      • The importance of egg size for phenotypic variations and divergence in wild populations
    • Aquaculture lab >
      • Development of personality in the Arctic charr
      • Egg quality and growth in selected Arctic charr
      • Enhanced Soy Protein for Salmonid Aquafeeds
      • Breeding program
    • Publications
    • Research policy >
      • Research Policy of the Department of Aquaculture & Fish Biology
      • Appendix 1 - Focus of Research
      • Appendix 2 - Storage and access to databases
      • Appendix 3 - Storage and registration of samples
  • Facilities+
    • Our research station
    • Breeding station
  • SYMPOSIUM
    • SEMINAR SERIES
    • Mývatn Conference 2024
    • Stickleback 2022
  • News
  • WORK WITH US
    • INTERNSHIPS AND JOBS
    • LIVE AT HÓLAR
  • CONTACT