David Kenny
Head of Animal and Bioscience Research DepartmentResearch Interests
David Kenny has over 25 years of research experience in the biological control of a range of economically important traits to beef cattle production systems, including growth and reproductive efficiency and feed efficiency and rumen methane emissions. He has supervised the studies of a large number of Ph.D. and Masters degree students and his research has resulted in the publication of over 225 internationally peer reviewed scientific articles and book chapters to-date.
He recently completed his presidency of the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS), and is currently the president of the Physiology Study Commission of the European Association of Animal Production.
He has led many large research consortia and is currently co-ordinator of the recently awarded €5m Horizon Europe project, ‘Towards sustainable livestock systems: European platform for evidence building and transitioning policy (STEP UP)’.
He was awarded the prestigious Hammond award by BSAS in 2018 in recognition of outstanding contribution to an improved understanding of how nutrition affects the complex underlying biology regulating economically important traits in cattle, including feed efficiency, rumen methane emissions and male and female reproduction.
Current Projects
Sustainable Livestock Systems Transition and Evidence Platform for Upgrading Policies (STEP UP)
STEP UP is a Horizon Europe funded research and innovation action project involving 16 partners across 10 European countries. The project is co-ordinated by David Kenny at Teagasc.
CliBeef (Climate Friendly Beef Production) project
A cross-border research initiative, funded by the EU’s PEACEPLUS programme, focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions on beef farms across Northern Ireland and the six border counties of Ireland. (Partner).
BullNet
A cutting edge integrated approach to sperm biology and associated reproductive biotechnologies to assist the dairy and beef industries meet growing societal, environmental and economic demands. (1 funded DC – Partner)
Feature
A European Doctoral Network dedicated to transforming livestock production into a more circular, climate-resilient, and sustainable livestock production systems. The project involves training 13 Doctoral Candidates who work across countries, disciplines, and within the greater animal nutrition sector. (2 funded DC – partner)
RUMEN-INNOVATE
MSCA Doctoral Network application for consisting of 15 doctoral projects spanning institutions across Europe, all focused on transforming ruminant agriculture through microbiome innovation. (1 funded DC – partner)
Education
- 2016: Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership Development (University College Cork)
- 2008: Postgraduate Diploma in Molecular Medicine (Trinity College Dublin)
- 2005: Postgraduate Diploma in Statistics (Distinction; Trinity College Dublin)
- 1997-2002: Ph.D. in Cattle Nutrition and Fertility (University College Dublin)
- 1993-1997: B.Agr.Sc. (1st class honours & 1st in class; University College Dublin).