Floriana tok sin doktorgrad innen fysiologiprogrammet ved Universitetet i Oslo under veiledning av professor Göran Nilsson. I løpet av doktorgraden undersøkte Floriana den molekylære og fysiologiske responsen til teleostarter utsatt for miljøendringer som høye CO2-nivåer i vann. Her undersøkte hun et bredt spekter av nevroaspekter, fra fiskeatferd og kognisjon (Lai et al., Conservation physiology 2015; Näslund et al., Mar Freshw Res 2015) til endringer i uttrykk av gener knyttet til hjernens eksitabilitet (Lai et al., Conservation physiology 2017), nevrogenese og nevroplastisitet (Lai et al., Biology letters, 2017).

I 2018 ble hun med i MDB-gruppen som forsker. Siden den gang har forskningen hennes fokusert på å undersøke de fysiologiske og molekylære responsene knyttet til appetitt- og vekstregulering under ulike forhold, som  for fôr ingredienser (Espe et al., 2021; Lai et al., 2023), stress (Lai et al., 2021), faste (Kalananthan-Lai et al., 2020; Lai et al., 2025), miljøfaktorer (Lai et al., under utarbeidelse) og produksjonssystemer (Lai et al., 2022; Lai et al., 2024).

 

Vitenskapelig artikkel

• Hanne Jorun Sixten; Katerina Kousoulaki; Floriana Lai et al. (2025). A sustainable krill meal enriched with stickwater boosts feed intake, growth performance, and stress resilience in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) following simulated acute high-temperature delousing. (ekstern lenke)
• Nina Liland; Ivar Rønnestad; Marina Azevedo et al. (2024). Dataset on the performance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) reared at different dissolved oxygen levels under experimental conditions. (ekstern lenke)
• Gianmarco Del Vecchio; Floriana Lai; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2021). Effects of short term fasting on mRNA expression of ghrelin and the peptide transporters PepT1 and 2 in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). (ekstern lenke)
• Tharmini Kalananthan; Floriana Lai; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2020). The Melanocortin System in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) and Its Role in Appetite Control. (ekstern lenke)
• Ana S. Gomes; Virginie Gelebart; Rute C. Félix et al. (2025). Activation profile of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) calcium-sensing receptor (Casr) by selected L-amino acids. (ekstern lenke)
• Marit Espe; Floriana Lai; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2021). Leucine did not stimulate growth and accretion in either stressed or unstressed Atlantic salmon. (ekstern lenke)
• Jonas Ismael Silva Marrero; Floriana Lai; Sigurd Olav Handeland et al. (2025). Integration of Gill and Intestinal Osmoregulatory Functions to Assess the Smoltification Window in Atlantic Salmon. (ekstern lenke)
• Sara Comesaña; Floriana Lai; Ann-Elise Olderbakk Jordal et al. (2021). Amino Acid Carriers of the Solute Carrier Families 7 (SLC7) and 38 (SLC38) Are Involved in Leucine Sensing in the Brain of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Cathrine Elisabeth Fagernes; Fredrik Jutfelt et al. (2016). Expression of genes involved in brain GABAergic neurotransmission in three-spined stickleback exposed to near-future CO2. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Cathrine Elisabeth Fagernes; Nicholas J Bernier et al. (2017). Responses of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity related genes to elevated CO2 levels in the brain of three teleost species. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Sergei Budaev; Ida Kristine Hundven et al. (2025). Influence of water temperature on feed intake, appetite control, and energy allocation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) post-smolt. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Ivar Rønnestad; Sergei Budaev et al. (2024). Freshwater history influences farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) performance in seawater. (ekstern lenke)
• Tharmini Kalananthan; Koji Murashita; Ivar Rønnestad et al. (2020). Hypothalamic agrp and pomc mRNA Responses to Gastrointestinal Fullness and Fasting in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar, L.). (ekstern lenke)
• Tharmini Kalananthan; Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai et al. (2021). Brain distribution of ten cart transcripts and their response to 4 days fasting in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). (ekstern lenke)
• Patrik Anthony Tang; Sigurd Olav Stefansson; Tom Ole Nilsen et al. (2022). Exposure to cold temperatures differentially modulates neural plasticity and stress responses in post-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). (ekstern lenke)
• Tharmini Kalananthan; Ole Folkedal; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2023). Impact of long-term fasting on the stomach-hypothalamus appetite regulating genes in Atlantic salmon postsmolts. (ekstern lenke)
• Joacim Näslund; Erik Lindström; Floriana Lai et al. (2015). Behavioural responses to simulated bird attacks in marine three-spined sticklebacks after exposure to high CO2 levels. (ekstern lenke)
• Neda Gilannejad; Ivar Rønnestad; Floriana Lai et al. (2021). Daily rhythms of intestinal cholecystokinin and pancreatic proteases activity in Senegalese sole juveniles with diurnal and nocturnal feeding. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Sara Comesaña; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2023). Anorectic role of high dietary leucine in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.): Effects on feed intake, growth, amino acid transporters and appetite-control neuropeptides.. (ekstern lenke)
• Hanne Jorun Sixten; Ivar Rønnestad; André Sture Bogevik et al. (2025). Side-Stream Based Marine Solubles From Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Modulate Appetite and Dietary Nutrient Utilization in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) and can Replace Fish Meal. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Ivar Rønnestad; Lars Helge Stien et al. (2025). Cross-regulatory interaction between the HPI axis and appetite regulation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr under chronic and acute stress. (ekstern lenke)
• Nina Liland; Floriana Lai; Alessandro Sicuro et al. (2025). On-growing Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) acclimate behaviourally and physiologically to chronic hypoxia, but exhibit reduced feed intake, growth and lipid retention. (ekstern lenke)
• Angelico Madaro; Floriana Lai; Per Gunnar Fjelldal et al. (2024). Comparing physiological responses of acute and chronically stressed diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). (ekstern lenke)
• Ingvill Tolås; Tharmini Kalananthan; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2021). Regional Expression of npy mRNA Paralogs in the Brain of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar, L.) and Response to Fasting. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Muhammad Rahmad Royan; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2021). The stress response in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.): identification and functional characterization of the corticotropin-releasing factor (crf) paralogs. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Cathrine Elisabeth Fagernes; Nicholas J Bernier et al. (2017). Responses of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity related genes to elevated CO2 levels in the brain of three teleost species. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Fredrik Jutfelt; Goran Erik Nilsson (2015). Altered neurotransmitter function in CO2-exposed stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus): a temperate model species for ocean acidification research. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Ivar Rønnestad; Thea Solberg Olsen et al. (2025). Adaptations to intermittent fasting in large sea caged Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar); effects on feeding, energy homeostasis, and growth. (ekstern lenke)

Konferanseposter

• Floriana Lai; MR Royan; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2019). The Ss4R Event: Identification and Characterization of the Corticotropin-releasing Factor (CRF) System in Atlantic Salmon, Salmo Salar (L.).. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Ana S. Gomes; Ann-Elise Olderbakk Jordal et al. (2018). Amino acid sensing systems in teleost gastrointestinal tract. (ekstern lenke)
• Hanne Jorun Sixten; Katerina Kousoulaki; Floriana Lai et al. (2024). A NOVEL KRILL MEAL INGREDIENT ENHANCES FEED INTAKE FOLLOWING IMITATED ACUTE HIGH-TEMPERATURE LOUSE TREATMENT STRESS IN ATLANTIC SALMON. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Sara Comesaña; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2022). Leucine’s dietary supplementation effect on the regulation of stress in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). (ekstern lenke)
• Ingvill Tolås; Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai et al. (2023). The effect of copper on appetite, growth and health in farmed Atlantic salmon: the importance of nutrient sensors and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. (ekstern lenke)
• Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai; Ann-Elise Olderbakk Jordal et al. (2019). Characterization of GPCR6A and CaSR in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Tharmini Kalananthan; G. M. Berg et al. (2019). Brain Distribution of Key Neuropeptides Involved in Appetite Control in Atlantic Salmon, Salmo Salar (L.).. (ekstern lenke)
• Angelico Madaro; Floriana Lai; Per Gunnar Fjelldal et al. (2023). A comparative study of the physiological responses of acute and chronically stressed diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Ida Hundven; Pablo Balseiro Vigo et al. (2023). Feed intake, growth and gut transit in Atlantic salmon at different temperatures- involvement of control pathways for digestion and appetite.. (ekstern lenke)
• Ingvill Tolås; Floriana Lai; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2022). Hvordan påvirker kobber appetitt, vekst og helse hos oppdrettslaks: betydning av næringssensorer og mikrobiota-tarm-hjerne aksen. (ekstern lenke)
• Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai; Yvette Taché et al. (2019). The Taste Receptor gene repertoire in Salmonids. (ekstern lenke)
• Neda Gilannejad; Ivar Rønnestad; Floriana Lai et al. (2019). Influence of different daily feeding protocols on regulation of cck hormone and pancreatic proteases activity in Senegalese sole juveniles.. (ekstern lenke)

Konferanseabstrakt

• Floriana Lai; Tharmini Kalananthan; G. M. Berg et al. (2019). Brain Distribution of Key Neuropeptides Involved in Appetite Control in Atlantic Salmon, Salmo Salar (L.).. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; MR Royan; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2019). The Ss4R Event: Identification and Characterization of the Corticotropin-releasing Factor (CRF) System in Atlantic Salmon, Salmo Salar (L.).. (ekstern lenke)
• Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai; Yvette Taché et al. (2019). The Taste Receptor gene repertoire in Salmonids. (ekstern lenke)
• Ivar Rønnestad; Floriana Lai; Tharmini Kalananthan et al. (2023). Appetite control and feed intake- Can AgRP serve as a biomarker for appetite in the teleost Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar?. (ekstern lenke)
• Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai; Ann-Elise Olderbakk Jordal et al. (2019). Characterization of GPCR6A and CaSR in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). (ekstern lenke)

Konferanseforedrag

• Linda Andersen; Ivar Rønnestad; Alf Seljenes Dalum et al. (2024). Water quality issues caused by zinc and gas supersaturation during simulated well boat operations of Atlantic salmon. (ekstern lenke)
• Ana S. Gomes; Virginie Gelebart; Floriana Lai et al. (2022). Essential amino acids activation of calcium sensing receptor in Atlantic salmon. (ekstern lenke)
• Tharmini Kalananthan; Floriana Lai; Ingvill Tolås et al. (2021). Appetite regulating neuropeptides and their distribution in the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) brain. (ekstern lenke)
• Ingvill Tolås; Tharmini Kalananthan; Ana Cristina Da Silva Gomes et al. (2021). Distribution of npy mRNA in the Brain of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar, L.) and Responses to Gastrointestinal Fullness and Fasting. (ekstern lenke)
• Ivar Rønnestad; Tom Ole Nilsen; Floriana Lai (2024). Lectures in Fish Physiology and Aquaculture. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Ana S. Gomes; Koji Murashita et al. (2019). Orexigenic brain responses to gastrointestinal fullness in postsmolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L.). (ekstern lenke)
• Hanne Jorun Sixten; Katerina Kousoulaki; Floriana Lai et al. (2026). Sustainable fishmeal enriched with fish protein hydrolysates maintains or enhances performance following simulated acute high-temperature louse treatment stress in Atlantic salmon. (ekstern lenke)
• Ivar Rønnestad; Tom Ole Nilsen; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2023). Lectures in Fish Physiology, Aquaculture and Sustainability. (ekstern lenke)
• Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai; Yvette Taché et al. (2019). Taste Receptor gene repertoire in Salmonids. (ekstern lenke)
• Jonas Ismael Silva Marrero; Ana S. Gomes; Pablo Balseiro et al. (2024). Assessing the physiological response of gills and intestine through smoltification in Atlantic salmon exposed to two different photoperiods. (ekstern lenke)
• Alessandro Sicuro; Floriana Lai; Nina Sylvia Liland et al. (2024). Effects of three different levels of dissolved oxygen on the feed intake, growth and appetite of farmed Atlantic salmon. (ekstern lenke)
• Sara Calabrese; Rolf David Vogt; Endre Steigum et al. (2024). Effekter av sink på laks under forhold relevante for brønnbåtsoperasjoner. (ekstern lenke)

Populærvitenskapelig artikkel

• Hanne Jorun Sixten; André Sture Bogevik; Ivar Rønnestad et al. (2024). Sidestrømsprodukter fra hvitfiskindustrien kan delvis erstatte høykvalitets fiskemel i firkefôr. (ekstern lenke)
• Rolf David Vogt; Sara Calabrese; Endre Steigum et al. (2024). Laks påvirkes negativt av sink. (ekstern lenke)

Forelesning

• Floriana Lai; Ivar Rønnestad (2025). Environmental impact on feed intake and energy allocation. (ekstern lenke)
• Ivar Rønnestad; Floriana Lai; Koji Murashita (2025). Appetite, feed intake and digestion. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Sigurd Olav Handeland; Pablo Balseiro Vigo et al. (2022). Sesongvariasjon av fôringsatferd, appetitt, vekst og fôrutnyttelse gjennom en produksjonssyklus av laks- tidlige livsstadier påvirker fisken helt frem til slakt. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Sigurd Olav Handeland; Pablo Balseiro Vigo et al. (2022). Seasonal variation of feeding behaviour, appetite, growth and feed utilization through a salmon production cycle.. (ekstern lenke)
• Floriana Lai; Ivar Rønnestad; Sergei Budaev et al. (2023). Seawater growth performance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts produced in a flow-through or recirculating aquaculture system.. (ekstern lenke)
• Tharmini Kalananthan; Floriana Lai; Sigurd Olav Handeland et al. (2021). Appetittstyrt fôring av Atlantisk laks. (ekstern lenke)
• Tharmini Kalananthan; Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai et al. (2021). Distribution of npy mRNA in the Brain of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar, L.) and Responses to Gastrointestinal Fullness and Fasting. (ekstern lenke)
• Geir Magne Knutsen; Floriana Lai (2024). Produksjon av laks til halv pris. (ekstern lenke)

Fagartikkel

• Floriana Lai; Ivar Rønnestad; Pablo Balseiro Vigo et al. (2022). Dagens intensive produksjon av laks er ikke tilpasset laksens biologi. (ekstern lenke)

Se en full oversikt over publikasjoner i Cristin

2017

1. Lai, Floriana; Fagernes, Cathrine Elisabeth; Bernier, Nicholas J; Miller, Gabrielle; Munday, Philip L; Nilsson, Göran Erik. Responses of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity related genes to elevated CO2 levels in the brain of three teleost species. Biology Letters 2017UiO 

2016

2. Lai, Floriana; Fagernes, Cathrine Elisabeth; Jutfelt, Fredrik; Nilsson, Göran Erik. Expression of genes involved in brain GABAergic neurotransmission in three-spined stickleback exposed to near-future CO2. Conservation Physiology 2016 ;Volum 4.(1) s. -NTNU UiO 

2015

3. Lai, Floriana; Jutfelt, Fredrik; Nilsson, Goran Erik. Altered neurotransmitter function in CO2-exposed stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus): a temperate model species for ocean acidification research. Conservation Physiology 2015 ;Volum 3.(1) s. 1-6UiO 

4. Näslund, Joacim; Lindström, Erik; Lai, Floriana; Jutfelt, Fredrik. Behavioural responses to simulated bird attacks in marine three-spined sticklebacks after exposure to high CO2 levels. Marine and Freshwater Research 2015 ;Volum 66.(10) s. 877-885UiO

2024-pres.: SANDE - Seasonal production of rainbow trout. Research Council of Norway, Innovation Project for the Industrial Sector (project nr. 346461). Project leader and responsible researcher for experimental activities.

2023-pres.:NORDFJORD LAKS - Comparison of different production of Atlantic salmon. Vestland Regional Research Fund (project nr. 349491) and skatteFUNN. Project leader and responsible researcher for experimental activities. 

2021-2024: TIME4SUCCESS - Production of robust salmon in freshwater phase. Researcher. Research Council of Norway  (project nr. 320566). Responsible researcher work package 1. 2023-2026 

2020-2023: NOFOOD2WASTE - Appetite based feeding control in Atlantic salmon. Research Council of Norway, Innovation Project for the Industrial Sector (project nr. 317770). Responsible manager and leader of the experimental activities. 

2020-2022: SEASTAR - Real time monitoring and surveillance of aquaculture farms with networks of underwater sensors. EU/EEA (grant - n.863731). Responsible researcher experimental activities.  

2018-2022: LeuSENSE - Exploring leucine's role in feed intake and growth under stress: from sensing to action. Research Council of Norway  (project nr. 267626). Responsible researcher and leader of experimental activities.