Yonathan Zohar

Yonathan Zohar is a Professor of Marine Biotechnology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), leading research at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET). His work focuses on advancing sustainable aquaculture and fish reproductive biology. He has pioneered land-based aquaculture systems to address environmental and logistical challenges, including year-round salmon spawning and waste management innovations. Zohar’s research combines fundamental endocrinology with applied solutions, such as developing sterile fish strains and biodegradable waste systems. In 2020, he received the International Society for Fish Endocrinology’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his transformative contributions.

His research interests span fish endocrinology, reproductive physiology, and aquaculture sustainability. Notable projects include manipulating fish reproduction cycles using environmental cues and converting fish waste into biogas to reduce energy costs. With a $10M USDA grant, he collaborates globally to commercialize land-based aquaculture. Zohar’s work emphasizes environmental responsibility and economic viability, aiming to reduce overfishing and meet rising seafood demand.

• Key Projects: Year-round salmon spawning, biogas production from fish waste, sterile fish development
• Funding: USDA grant ($10M), BARD Fund (U.S.-Israel partnership)

Scientific contributions include over 50 peer-reviewed articles on fish endocrinology and aquaculture. His teams at IMET and the Aquaculture Research Center (ARC) address industry bottlenecks like sludge management and seasonal reproduction limits.

• Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)
• Collaborations: U.S. and international government/industry partnerships