Recognising excellence

The Walsh Scholars Programme continues to be a source of excellence in research for Teagasc. In May this year, the organisation granted awards and recognition to some of its best and brightest.

PhD student Luca van Dijk was awarded the Walsh Scholars gold medal at a ceremony at Teagasc Ashtown. Luca is pictured with her parents Ellen Smit and Niek van Dijk. Photo credit: John Ohle.

Teagasc awarded the 2025 Walsh Scholars gold medal to Luca van Dijk, a PhD student in the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme, at a ceremony held in Teagasc Ashtown on 15 May. The Gold Medal is the highest honour in the Walsh Scholars Programme, Teagasc’s postgraduate development and training programme

The annual gold medal is presented to the most exceptional scholar following a rigorous selection process including written application, communication training and interviews with an external panel.

Luca’s research focused on the health and welfare of young Irish calves exported to mainland Europe. “Almost 200,000 calves are exported from Ireland annually,” she explained. “I found that long journeys negatively affect their welfare and that fasting is more harmful than the journey itself. Encouragingly, feeding milk replacer during ferry transport significantly protects their health.”

Originally from the Netherlands, Luca is registered with Munster Technological University (MTU) and supervised by Muireann Conneely of Teagasc and Gearóid Sayers of MTU.

PhD student Luca van Dijk was awarded the Walsh Scholars Gold Medal at a ceremony at Teagasc Ashtown. Pictured L-R: Luca’s parents Niek van Dijk and Ellen Smit; Teagasc Chairman Liam Herlihy; award winner Luca van Dijk; Teagasc Director of Research Pat Dillon; Teagasc Director Frank O’Mara; Gearóid Sayers of MTU; Jane Kavanagh, Head of Research Development and Walsh Scholars at Teagasc; Laurence Shalloo, Head of Teagasc’s Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme. Photo credit: John Ohle Photography

Recognising top scholars

In addition to winning the gold medal, Luca was named Walsh Scholar of the Year for the Animal & Grassland Programme.

Three other top scholars were also recognised, one from each of Teagasc’s remaining research programmes, selected from a competitive field of 39 final-year applicants.

Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme winner Rajas Shinde developed a grass-based anaerobic digestion model to support climate action and rural incomes.

“Collaborating with farmers, we co-designed a viable, circular bioeconomy framework,” he said. Rajas is supervised by Susanne Barth of Teagasc and David Wall of University College Cork (UCC).

Food Programme winner Mariana Maçãs focused on novel bakery applications of Irish-grown pea flour.

“We created high-protein breads with improved nutrition and shelf-life using advanced milling and analysis techniques,” she said. Mariana is supervised by Eimear Gallagher of Teagasc and Elke Arendt of UCC.

Rural Economy and Development Programme winner Holly Mullan explored farm succession among older potential successors.

“Off-farm commitments play a major role in decision-making, often in ways missed by traditional surveys,” she explained. Holly is supervised by Teagasc’s Emma Dillon and Anne Marie Ward of Ulster University.

More information about Luca’s research can be found in the feature article on page 20 of this issue of TResearch (Autumn 2025).

Contributor

Erin O’Rourke, Walsh Scholar Development Officer, Teagasc Head Office, Oak Park.

erin.orourke[at]teagasc.ie