Lorna is from a West Cork dairy farm. Her project is on the ‘Evaluation of chlorate development in milk and dairy products with specific focus on milking equipment cleaning protocols and maintenance of milk of high microbiological quality’.
She is based in Teagasc Moorepark with the Livestock Systems Department. Her research is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Rachel’s research project – “Increasing tree cover on dairy and drystock farms; the main barriers and perceptions that impede agroforestry uptake” aims to identify the attitudes, willingness and intentions of Irish dairy and drystock farmers to plant trees in the form of agroforestry and the barriers to adoption.
The project also discusses the impacts of trees and agroforestry on biodiversity, carbon sequestration, ecosystem services and livestock production; to inform policy and create management guidelines. The impact of terminology on farmers’ decision making is also investigated.
Originally from India, Rose holds a Master’s degree in Food Microbiology and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. Her project focuses on an ‘Exploration of the Irish soil microbiome through metagenomic sequencing’. The main objective of Rose’s research is to refine current methodologies and tools for analysing soil microbial composition, establishing foundational protocols and analytical frameworks previously lacking in the field. Rose is based in Teagasc Moorepark, Co Cork.
Clarissa’s project is ‘Sustainable Healthy Dietary Guidelines (SuHeGuide)’. Her research examines the dietary patterns of middle-to-older aged adults in Ireland from a population and environmental health perspective. It is focussing on the environmental impacts associated with low to high adherence to healthy dietary patterns such as the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Clarissa is based at Teagasc Ashtown.
Sarah’s project is ‘Evaluating the inclusion of companion forages in sheep swards on dry matter intake, methane output, rumen function and meat quality’. Sarah is originally from a mixed enterprise farm in County Sligo. While she has a broad interest base in agriculture her passion has always been in Sheep production, hence her choice to further her studies in the industry.
Emily is with the Animal and Bioscience Research Department and is based in Grange Co. Meath. Her project is on ‘Developing and validating novel technologies to reduced enteric methane emissions from pasture-based agricultural systems – METH-ABATE. Her role is testing a variety of methane reducing compounds in a rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) system in the laboratory, and then assessing the most promising compounds in sheep and beef cattle The research is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Joy’s research is ‘Exploring biocontrol and integrated pest management (IPM) of mushroom pathogens by Bacillus spp’. She has been investigating IPM approaches to the biological control of two major pathogens of the white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) using two Bacillus velezensis bacterial strains sourced from the environment. She also studies traditional treatments which include the application of chemical fungicides and the practice of salting diseased areas on mushroom beds. Joy is base at Teagasc, Ashtown, Co. Dublin.
Jebril’s project is “Impact of soil and grassland management on plant-microbial interactions that mediate soil organic matter mineralisation & nitrogen supply” The research addresses a knowledge gap by 1) Investigating how sward composition, soil and seasonal differences impact microbial N mineralisation, 2) assessing factors influencing laboratory methods for the rapid measurement of potential N mineralisation (PNM) and 3) investigating the effect of sulphur (S) fertilisation on microbial SOM
priming and N mineralisation. Jebril is based in Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford
Fatma’s project is – Benefits of Dietary Fibre on Human Gut Microbiome and Metabolome. Her research interests focus on the relationship between dietary fibre & the gut microbiome. She examines how various fibres and recipe modifications affect gut health using laboratory models. She investigates the mechanisms by which fibre positively impacts health by modulating gut microorganisms and analyse the effects of fibre-rich foods on gut bacteria and metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids. Based in the Food Research Centre in Moorepark, she is in the Food Bioscience Department
Sara’s research focuses on ‘Structuring alternative proteins extracted from grass and other alternative forages for food applications’. She has produced novel leaf protein concentrates with excellent nutritional value, reflected on their balanced amino acid profile and good digestibility. The formulation of foods products with these proteins could therefore provide health benefits for the consumer. Sara holds a BSc Pharmacy (Universitat de Valencia, Spain) and BSc Nutrition and Dietetics (Universitat de Valencia, Spain). Sara is based in Teagasc Moorepark, Co Cork.
Shefali’s research focus on ‘Explaining income volatility and risk management decisions in Irish dairy farming’. This research addresses the
issue of price and income volatility faced by Irish dairy farmers and analyses the factors influencing their decision making in terms of adopting risk management tools and their relationship with farm investment. Shefali is based at Teagasc Mellow Campus, Athenry. Shefali is an alumnus of University of Greenwich, London, UK (MSc Business and Financial Economics, 2015) and Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (M.A in Agri-Business Economics, 2014).
Lori-Rae’s project focuses on ‘ A framework for effective Co-operative development to draw lessons for upscaling and replication: lessons from a nascent Ugandan farmers’ Co-operative’. Her research examines the challenges and opportunities facing agricultural cooperatives and their partners in the transition towards more sustainable food systems. Lori-Rae conducted field research in Uganda, interviewing over 40 stakeholders, focusing on the links between the external innovation system in which cooperatives are situated and the internal challenges that cooperatives face in their development.
