Women in Aquculture: Meet Ms. Atshaya Sundararajan

From pioneering fish nutrition research in India to exploring how climate change shapes the future of Tasmanian salmon, Atshaya has built a remarkable path in aquaculture. As a Blue Economy CRC PhD fellow at the Institute fro Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), she reflects on her journey, milestones, and her passion for empowering more women to dive into the blue economy.

What inspired you to pursue a career in aquaculture? 

To be honest, when I was in Year 12, I thought I would go to medical school and become a doctor, but life had different plans. Biology and chemistry were always the subjects that excited me most, so I started exploring unique science degrees in India. I was fortunate to be accepted into a Bachelor of Fisheries Science program in the Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tuticorin, where I discovered the breadth of the field, from fish nutrition to economics and extension. That’s how I kick-started my journey into aquaculture!

I then pursued a Master’s in Fish Nutrition and Feed Technology from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): Central Institute for Fisheries Education (CIFE), in Mumbai, India. I worked on testing papaya peel extract as a natural antioxidant in Rohu (Indian major carp) feed to improve their performance during crowding stress. Later, I decided to gain expertise in omics techniques and developed a strong interest in working with salmon, an aquaculture species at the forefront of scientific innovation. That passion ultimately led me to my current PhD on Tasmanian Atlantic salmon, and the rest, as they say, is history!

What is your current role, and what does a typical day look like for you?

I’m a PhD student at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, researching how climate change affects the production biology of Tasmanian Atlantic salmon. We are also testing how we can translate the salmon growth data from experimental systems to commercial platforms. IMAS is globally recognised for research on climate change as well as its work with the seafood industry. Through collaboration with local industry, Prof. Chris Carter from IMAS (formerly TAFI) initiated research into salmon growth and nutrition under suboptimum environmental conditions more than 20 years ago, positioning it as one of the first research organisations to investigate climate change impacts on Atlantic salmon production biology.

To talk about my typical workday, no two days are ever the same! Some days I’m deep into data analysis, bioinformatics, or writing, while on others I’m at the Experimental Aquaculture Facility (EAF) in Taroona, dissecting salmon and collecting samples. I also spend significant time in the lab doing protein extractions or analysing the chemical composition of tissue samples.

My PhD research is part of the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre (BECRC)-funded project Experimental Platform for Aquaculture Production (EPAP), led by Prof. Chris G. Carter and with researchers Dr. Gianluca Amoroso, Dr. Maxi Canepa, and Dr. Richard Wilson, alongside our industry partners. Curious to know more? Check out the official project webpage here: https://blueeconomycrc.com.au/project/experimental-platform-for-aquaculture-production/

Alongside my PhD, I’m participating in the Turn the Tide Entrepreneurship and Leadership program run by Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA), the only national organisation in Australia representing women in the seafood industry. Our team is working on the topic “Growing deeper and stronger connections, teams, and networks among seafood women to build resilience and opportunity.” With the support of facilitators, mentors, and industry experts, we will present our project outcomes to the broader seafood community at the Canberra conference in November 2025. https://womeninseafood.org.au/key-programs/breaking-barriers/entrepreneurship-and-leadership-program

I feel fortunate that the Blue Economy CRC and my PhD supervisory team support my growth both within and beyond academia. My connection with WISA has further shaped my strategic thinking and enhanced the visibility of my PhD work.

What has been your proudest achievement in aquaculture so far?

One of my proudest achievements was securing the All India Rank 1 position out of ~1000 candidates in an ICAR nationwide competitive exam for Master’s admission in 2020, awarded to the highest-scoring student. This milestone opened the door to my research journey in fish nutritional physiology. I was later awarded the Dr. Hiralal Chaudhuri Gold Medal from ICAR, presented to the top-performing master’s student in Fish Nutrition for 2020–22. Publishing my first scientific manuscript was another highlight, followed by receiving four fully funded PhD offers from Spain, Japan, India, and Australia. I ultimately chose my current PhD project in Tasmania for its strong industry–academia collaboration, which aligns perfectly with my long-term vision.

More recently, I was awarded an IMAS travel grant and had two abstracts accepted for oral presentations at the Aquaculture Europe 2025 conference in Valencia. This opportunity has already sparked collaboration with NOWA through the WISA Turn the Tide program.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in aquaculture?

If you’re still in school, take part in university open days, join industry tours, and talk to people working in the seafood sector to get a real sense of what it’s like. Many assume aquaculture is just about water and fish, but it goes far beyond that! If you enjoy desk work, you might contribute to modelling projects, monitor fish behaviour and feeding in control rooms, or even become a science communicator. If you prefer hands-on work, you could be in the lab running technical analyses or in hatcheries working with salmon eggs and fry. The opportunities in the blue economy are endless, and the best part is that every role is equally valuable and impactful.

Most importantly, learn to tune out both external and internal noise that might bring you down. Be your own cheerleader!

In a nutshell, the world is your oyster. I truly believe there’s a place in aquaculture for everyone to find their passion and contribute meaningfully.