Our Experts

Prof. Dr. Hakan Biricik
Hakan Biricik is a professor at the Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases of Bursa Uludag University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Prof. Dr. Hakan Biricik conducts basic research to dairy cattle nutrition with special emphasis on the impact of nutrition on calf.  He also has a special interest in research on the use of natural feed additives in farm animals. He is author or co-author of more than 65 peer-reviewed publications, he has spoken at more than 20 congresses. He provides consultancy to many dairy farms in the field of nutrition and nutrition management. In addition, with the concept of Calf 4.0, it has brought a different understanding on calf health and development. Currently, Prof. Hakan Biricik also provides technical consultancy support to Phytaxis.

Alexander H. Verstralen
BSc Marine Science 
Scottish Association for Marine Science,
University of the Highlands and Islands

Alexander Verstralen grew up moving around the world living in Oman, Australia, Russia and
Scotland. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marine science from the Scottish association for marine science in 2020 with a focus on salmon farming in western Scotland. After working in Jamaica Mexico and Croatia as a marine biologist/scuba diving instructor, he started working with a number of Swiss companies consulting on projects involving sturgeon as well as salmonid species, for several large companies. Currently he works for Phytaxis in Mexico developing Digextra Aqua in the LATAM market.

Luis Andrés Gonzales Agraz
MSc Aquaculture and marine
Biotechnology
Centro de investigacion Cientifica De
educacion Superior de Ensenada

Luis Gonzales has managed shrimp and seaweed farms, advised various companies, and served as Director of Aquaculture for the State of Baja California. Luis has developed strong relationships with industry, research centers, academia, and government at all levels.
Currently, Luis Gonzales is the General Manager of Bioestelar, a Mexican company that produces Giant Keyhole limpet and extracts blood using a nonlethal method. He is also Vice President of Mariculture for the National Chamber of Fishery and Aquaculture Industry of Mexico and Treasurer of the Latin American Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society. Luis started working with Phytaxis in 2022 and his industry knowledge and technical support have been key to developing Digextra Aqua.

Dr. Manoj Bharti 
B.V.Sc. & A.H., M.V.Sc.(Animal Nutrition), M.B.A.

Dr. Manoj Bharti completed his Master’s Degree in Animal Nutrition in 2004 and having rich experience with more than 19 years in field of Animal Nutrition .His field of interest is to formulate feed as per requirement for poultry, dairy, farm animals, swine farms. His special interest to improve farm productivity by natural resources, use feed additives from plant based origins. He also observed adverse effect on farm animals by excessive uses of Antibiotics /Antibiotic Growth promoters. He has rich experience of conducting and monitoring field trials and implement them in field. He has also collaborated with leading veterinary research institutes in India and industry for different projects. Presently Dr. Manoj in providing technical support to Phytaxis.