Olafur S. Astthorsson
1976-1980. University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland. Department of Zoology, Ph.D. degree. Research thesis :The life history ecological energetics of Neomysis integer (Crustacea, Mysidacea).
Since 1981 I have worked at the Marine Research Institute (MRI) in Reykjavik. Initially as a zooplankton ecologist, from January 1990 to February 2000 as head of the Environmental section and from February 2000 as deputy director at the institute. Through these jobs I have undertaken various administrative duties related to financial matters, evaluation of research plans, research policy making and exchanges with the ministry of fisheries and government authorities.
My research has concentrated on species distribution and life cycle strategies of zooplankton, on long term changes in relation to climate, and relations between zooplankton and the recruitment of commercial fish stocks. I have participated in about 80 research expeditions and cruises in the waters around Iceland and been the cruise leader on many if them. I am an author or a co-author of about 80 publications and reports of which over 40 are in refereed journals.
I have supervised students and also lectured at the University of Iceland in courses on Marine Ecology and Zooplankton Ecology.
I have represented the MRI on various committees and councils both in Iceland and abroad. I have taken part in some of the working groups of the ICES (e.g. Zooplankton Ecology WG, Recruitment Processes WG, WG on Cod and Climate Change) and since 1991 I have been one of Icelands delegates to ICES.
