Alberto Palmonari_{Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences}

Alberto Palmonari, Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna is involved in in several research projects, mainly focused in rumen metabolism and microbiology.

Responsible of the Department’s laboratory of G.I. tract microbiology and feedstuff chemical analysis for animal nutrition.

He became associate professor in October 2021.

Anna Macready_{Associate Professor in Consumer Behaviour and Marketing}

Dr Anna Macready is Associate Professor in Consumer Behaviour and Marketing at the University of Reading’s Department of Agri-food Economics and Marketing in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development. With her background in behavioural science, public health nutrition and food choice, Anna is particularly interested in factors and mechanisms underpinning consumer trust and behaviour change to support health and a sustainable food system. Her current and past research is focused on dietary health, sustainability and innovation, and includes the EIT Food’s 7-year Consumer TrustTracker® exploring consumer trust in 19 countries (n=115,000), UKRI’s Land Use for Net Zero LUNZ Hub, UKRI’s Raising the Pulse (RtP) and the EU’s 7-country Food4Me personalised nutrition project. She has also explored food waste reduction and consumption of novel foods. For 2023, Anna was appointed Behaviour Change Champion (Supply Chain and Consumption) for the UKRI’s AgriFood4NetZero (AFN) Network+ project.

Anna Millar_{Ruminant Technical Manager}

Ruminant Technical Manager for Trident MicroNutri and is based in Co Down. With a demonstrated history of working in the animal nutrition and health industry, she works alongside the Trident MicroNutri team, delivering expert technical support for a range of feed additives

Anna Sutcliffe_{Technical Manager}

After finishing a PhD at Nottingham University investigating rumen synchrony in the lactating dairy cow, Anna has had various roles in the ruminant feed and pharmaceutical industry. She has been a technical manager at AB Dairy for the last ten years providing expert nutritional support and advice to dairy farmers.

Anne Mullen_Lecturer

Anne is a nutrition scientist with a PhD in molecular nutrition from Trinity College Dublin and postdoctoral experience at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on a complementary feeding project of HIV exposed infants in Zambia. Anne was a Lecturer in Nutritional Sciences in King's College London and researched HIV lipodystrophy syndrome in London and an intervention for acute malnutrition among HIV positive children and adults in Uganda. As Director of Nutrition at the Dairy Council for Great Britain, Anne provided evidence-based information to citizens, health professionals, researchers, food industry and politicians on milk, dairy, nutrition and health. Anne was the launch Chief Editor of the Nature Research Portfolio journal, Nature Food. As Chief Editor, Anne organised and/or moderated sessions and side-events at the UN Food Systems Summit Science Days, the FAO Science and Innovation Forum, Nutrition for Growth Summit and the International Congress of Nutrition in 2021 and 2022.

Anne is a Lecturer in Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security in the Ryan Institute and Sustainable World Section of the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences. Her interests are in sustainable food systems that support nutrition security for all, empowerment of citizens in food systems transformation, and science communication for citizens and political decision makers.

Courtney Bailey_{Agriculture Sector Lead}

Courtney specialises in development, implementation, and evaluation of training programs, project management and provision of specialist advisory services.

Prior to joining Voconiq, Courtney worked in education and community engagement across various sectors. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Agribusiness, Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning (secondary), and she is a qualified Trainer and Assessor.

With her deep understanding of the intricacies of education and the adoption of new programs and her passion for the Agricultural sector, Courtney plays a vital role in ensuring our clients' success.

Craig Lewis_{Genetic Services Manager}

Dr Craig Lewis was raised on a family farm in Herefordshire. He has advanced degrees in Animal Behaviour/Welfare and Animal Breeding/Genetics, including a PhD at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, which he undertook before having research positions in Australia and a commercial position in the United States. Craig currently oversees Genetic Dissemination for Genus PIC working with pig producers from developing farmers in Africa to multinational integrated food businesses. He is also the current chair of the steering committee for the European Forum for Farm Animal Breeders (EFFAB).

David Kenny_{BSAS President | Head of Animal & Bioscience Department}

Professor David Kenny is Head of the Teagasc Animal and Bioscience Research Department in Ireland and the current president of the British Society of Animal Science. He has over 25 years of research experience in the biological control of a range of economically important traits to ruminant livestock production systems, including growth and reproductive efficiency, ruminal methanogenesis and the development and functionality of the rumen microbiome. He has supervised the studies of 19 Ph.D. and nine M.Sc. students to completion, as principal supervisor and his research has resulted in the publication of in excess of 200 full length internationally peer reviewed scientific manuscripts and book chapters to-date. He is the president of the Physiology Study Commission of the European Association of Animal Production and is a member of the management board of the international scientific journal, Animal. 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.

He runs a beef and sheep farm in County Mayo, in the west of Ireland and is integrally involved, and is well known, within the beef cattle sector and wider agricultural industry in Ireland.

Eduardo Luis Cupertino Ballester _Professor

Graduated in Biology (2000), MSc in Aquaculture (2003) and PhD in Biological Oceanography (2008) at Federal University of Rio Grande - FURG. Since 2010 is a researcher and permanent professor at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). Director of the Research Center of Aquaculture and Sustainable Development - UFPR and Head of the Prawn/Shrimp Culture Laboratory at UFPR. Around 25 years of experience in aquaculture research projects. Authored 85 scientific papers published in indexed journals. Supervised more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree students in Aquaculture. His main current projects are the use of essential oils as anesthetics and food additives for prawn and the use of protein hydrolysates as a source of protein for shrimp and prawn. Has also developed research projects with Biofloc Technology - BFT, shrimp and prawn nutrition, and toxicity of nitrogenous compounds to prawns.

Elly Tyacke_{Senior Portfolio Manager}

Elly Tyacke is a Senior Portfolio Manager in the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) , a major funder of world-leading bioscience in the UK.

In addition to providing strategic oversight of a wide variety of funding opportunities that BBSRC delivers, Elly is also actively involved in delivering induction training to academics and research professionals who sit on BBSRC’s funding opportunities panels and providing training and support for internal colleagues in BBSRC and across UKRI.

A Biochemistry graduate from Cardiff University, Elly first worked as a Postgraduate Research Assistant in the Cancer Research Campaign laboratories at Charing Cross Hospital before joining Derwent Information, part of Thompson-Reuters in the early 1990s as a Medical Editor. Following a seven-year stint at Thompson-Reuters, Elly continued working in the medical writing and medical communications industries becoming a freelance medical writer in 1999 working for a range of clients and across a wide number of therapeutic areas.

After a five-year career break to raise her family, Elly joined BBSRC in 2013 where she began working as a Portfolio Manager facilitating external peer review of grant funding applications and managing expert assessment panel meetings.

When not at work, Elly enjoys playing tennis at her local tennis club, where she is the club’s Welfare and Safeguarding Officer, running, Pilates and has recently completed an Undergraduate Certificate in Medieval Studies, awarded by the University of Cambridge.

Galina Brychkova_Lecturer

Dr. Galina Brychkova is a Lecturer in the Plant & AgriBiosciences Research Centre. Her background is in Genetics and Biotechnology, that she was awarded in 2000 upon defending MSc thesis : ‘The influence of intravenous immunoglobulin substances on granulocyte-macrophage link of human immune system’. She continued her research career in the field of genetics and Biotechnology and was awarded PhD in Plant Genetics in 2004 on research “Engineering the metal-tolerant and oil-degrading transgenic plants which carry genes encoding rhamnolipid biosynthesis’. Galina’s primary research is focused on fundamental understanding of plant heterosis, the function of orphan genes as well as genes involved in iron assimilation in plant development, reproduction and hybrid vigor, using model organisms Arabidopsis thaliana and budding yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae. She has major research expertise are tissue culture, molecular biology, biochemistry, enzymology and metabolomics. Together with Prof. Spillane Galina helped to established first 3D printing (and 3D bioprinting) facility in PABC, University of Galway, and her research is broadened by application of this modern technology. Moreover, her research interests are stretched toward the solicitation of science and biotechnologies for meeting needs in developing countries.Within NUI Galway he coordinates MSc AgriBiosciences Structured Research Programme and PhD in Plant and AgriBiosciences students. She is also a member of the EU-RISE SexSeed consortium and the Irish Aid-funded Vietnam Ireland Bilateral Education Exchange (VIBE) program, Climate Resilient Agriculture & Environmentally Sustainable Landscapes. Galina has been an author on over 24 peer-reviewed papers, 3 book chapter and over 21 conference papers.

Helen Warren_{European Technical Manager}

In 1999, Dr. Warren achieved her primary degree in Animal Science from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, followed by her PhD in fatty acids in beef from the Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Bristol. She spent five years lecturing degree students in animal and equine science before moving to industry. She is a Senior Visiting Fellow at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, a trustee of the British Society of Animal Science, a qualified lecturer, a Cow Signals Trainer and a registered Animal Scientist. She sits on the FSA’s UK Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs, as well as Innovate UK’s Animal Sector Advisory Board. She currently works as a European Technical Manager for Ruminants and Horses for Alltech, involving initiating European research projects, as well as delivering nutritional education and technical sales support. Helen, with the help of committee colleagues, fellow trustees and, of course, BSAS members, aims to ensure that BSAS is a Society that is relevant and beneficial to all its members.

Hilario Mantovani_{Assistant Professor}

Dr. Hilario Mantovani received an M.S. degree in Agricultural Microbiology from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) and earned a Ph.D. degree in Microbiology from Cornell University under the mentorship of the late James B. Russell. Dr. Mantovani developed several academic and scientific activities in Brazil as a faculty member of the Department of Microbiology at UFV and was a visiting scholar at the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center. He mentored more than 40 graduate and 20 undergraduate students and served for five years as Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Agricultural Microbiology (UFV). Dr. Mantovani joined the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2022.

Dr. Mantovani’s research program is focused on understanding the functions and ecological interactions between anaerobic microbes that colonize the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants. Currently, special attention is given to screening and discovery of new bioactive molecules (notably AMPs) against bacterial pathogens and archaea (methanogens) and the development of microbiome-derived technologies (e.g., bioactive molecules, probiotics, inoculants) for animal health. His research group examines fundamental and applied questions related to the ecology, physiology, and genetics of rumen microbes aiming to unveil their roles in rumen function and host phenotypes. Dr. Mantovani’s research also seeks to understand the mechanisms and drivers of antimicrobial resistance and explore livestock microbiomes for biotechnological purposes, including alternatives to antibiotics. The research goal is to generate knowledge and develop approaches to improve animal health and productivity, promote food safety and enhance the environmental sustainability of livestock production.

Holly Vickery_{Lecturer - Animal Behaviour and Welfare}

Holly is an Animal Behaviour and Welfare scientist with a particular interest in how findings can be practically utilised by stakeholders and is fascinated by applied research, participatory engagement, and science communication. She graduated from the University of Bristol in 2018 with a first-class BSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and then completed her PhD at the University of Reading titled “The behaviour and welfare of goat kids during the milk feeding stage and weaning transition”. In 2022 her thesis research won the RSPCA/BSAS Prize for Research with Animal Impact by Scientists in Early Career (PRAISE). Currently she is a lecturer at Harper Adams University and has been on the ECC for four years, currently serving as deputy chair. In the future Holly hopes to continue to work on bridging the divide between research and application with a focus on practical higher welfare strategies for farms.

Karl Walsh_{Head of the Research, Bioeconomy & Codex Division}

Dr Karl Walsh is the Head of the Research, Bioeconomy & Codex Division in the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). He grew up on a mixed dairy and beef pasture farm in Ireland. He graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) in 2003 with a degree in Agricultural Science. He then went on to complete a PhD at the Teagasc Grange Beef Research Centre in Meath, Ireland, as well as at UCD. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Policy Analysis from the Institute of Public Administration.

Karl joined the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2007. He worked in a variety of areas, including Livestock Breeding, Production and Trade, Animal Feed and Fertiliser, Research, Economics, and as the Agricultural Attaché in Irelands Embassy to France as well as its multilateral Mission to the OECD. He was appointed Head of the Research, Bioeconomy and Codex Division in 2021.

Kevin Hanrahan_{Head of Rural Economy and Development Programme}

Economic analysis of agricultural input and output markets; economic analysis of agricultural factor markets in particular agricultural land; partial equilibrium modelling of Irish and European agriculture; economics of agriculture and climate change; microeconomic analysis of impact of agricultural policy reform; analysis of the impact of trade policy reform on Irish and EU agriculture; economics of Irish beef production.

Kieren Moffat_{Chief Executive Officer}

Kieren is a social scientist committed to building deeper, more reflective relationships between communities, companies, industries and governments. Prior to co-founding Voconiq he was a Senior Research Scientist with CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. Over the last fifteen years he has worked across a broad range of industries in more than twenty countries using quantitative social psychological research methods to reveal the pathways to deeper community trust for companies and industries, and to provide a voice for community members in decisions that affect their lives. Kieren was awarded a PhD from The University of Queensland in social and organisational psychology in 2008.

Kirsty Farnan_{Ruminant Technical Advisor}

Kirsty works for Adisseo as a Ruminant Technical Advisor providing clients with practical advise and sales support. She is particularly interest in diet formulation and currently tailor solutions to address various client's needs. This helps to develop strong relationships to support business growth. Kirsty also presents complex technical information to a diverse group of clients, ensuring clarity and engagement, which aids in business development.

Kirsty Richards_{Program Lead Autism and Agriculture; Manager Industry and Government Liaison}

Kirsty leads SunPork Farms’ Autism and Agriculture program, a collaboration between SunPork, the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) and Specialisterne Australia. In this capacity Kirsty has overseen a world first successful program to develop animal care career paths for people on the autism spectrum. SunPork recognises its autistic employees as a tremendous asset in advancing business capability, pride, culture, animal care and welfare objectives.

Luca Fontanesi_Professor

Full Professor at the University of Bologna, he carries out his research in the field of genetics, animal genomics and food authentication. His research interests are in particular focused on the application of genomics, metagenomics, metabolomics and phenomics in the animal production sector, for the characterization, authentication and traceability of food products and for environmental analysis. His research ranges across different fields that include the main species of zootechnical interest (with particular reference to pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, equines, rabbits and poultry), species of interest for aquaculture, wild species, extinct species, bees and other insects and environmental DNA. He has participated or is currently participating in several European research projects Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. He is the author of more than 280 publications in scientific journals (h index = 42), book chapters and co-inventor of patents. He is sector editor of scientific journals in the field of animal production. He is present in the list of World's Top 2% Scientists 2024 (Stanford University).

Mariecia Fraser_{Professor in Upland Agroecosystems}

I have a background in animal science and grazing ecology and specialise in developing and testing management strategies for upland systems. My research interests include: species and breed differences in diet selection and ingestive behaviour, conservation grazing, nutrient supply from forages, greenhouse gas emissions from grazing animals, and the bio-energy potential of semi-natural grasslands. I have worked with a range of animal species (sheep, cattle, goats, ponies, deer, South American camelids) and pasture types (cultivated, improved permanent pasture and semi-natural grass and heath communities), as well as fresh and ensiled alternative forages (high WSC grasses, forage legumes, brassicas, pulses and bi-crops), to deliver a range of products (meat, fibre, habitats and biorenewables).

Mark Garavan_{Senior Lecturer}

Dr Mark Garavan is a Senior Lecturer in the ATU Mayo. He teaches mostly on the Applied Social Care programme. He is the author of Care, Published by Cork University Press in 2024, and of Compassionate Activism: An Exploration of Integral Social Care published by Peter Lang in 2012. He has published academic articles on the environment, dialogue, and on social care practice. He has been a social care worker working with Travellers, young people, and in Mountjoy Prison. He was a Project Leader with Dublin Simon Community from 1989 to 1992, and later managed a facility for young people in Co Carlow. He is currently a Board member of Feasta (The Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability) and of Westport Family Resource Centre. He has worked extensively in the field of mental health, supporting the creation of the Mayo Recovery College and conducting a number of research projects into the topic.

Matthew Elmes_{Lead Nutrition Scientist}

Dr Matthew Elmes is the Lead Nutrition Scientist at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), where he is helping to drive forward the organisation's Nutrition Strategy to support sustainable farming in the UK.

Matthew’s academic journey began with a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science from the University of Nottingham in 2000, followed by a PhD at the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 2004. His doctoral research investigated the effects of omega-6 fatty acids during pregnancy on the timing of labour in sheep.

After completing post-doctoral roles at Imperial College London and the University of Nottingham, Matthew became an Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham in 2008, where his research centred on how maternal and early-life nutrition affect foetal development, timing of labour, and the long-term health of the offspring. His work spans both large and small animal models and has made a significant impact in understanding the links between early nutrition and adult disease.

Matthew is a frequent presenter at academic conferences both in the UK and internationally and has published widely in peer-reviewed journals. In October 2024, he joined the AHDB, bringing his expertise to help shape the future of UK agriculture through evidence-based nutrition strategies.

Michael Lee_{Deputy Vice-Chancellor}

Professor Michael Lee FRSA FRSB FRASE ARAgS is an expert in sustainable livestock systems, defining their role in securing global food security at the same time as protecting environmental health (Livestock’s role in human and planetary health). He graduated with first class honors in Animal Science from University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1997 and gained a PhD in ruminant nutrition (protein and energy metabolism) from the University of Aberdeen in 2001 followed by Post graduate certificate for teaching in higher education from Aberystwyth University in 2012. In November 2020 Michael moved from Rothamsted Research and the University of Bristol (where he held a joint position) to his current position as Deputy Vice Chancellor of Harper Adams University, England’s Premier specialist agriculture and land use University. He has published over 375 research articles and papers including articles in Nature and Science. He was awarded the Sir John Hammond Memorial Prize in 2015 for services to Animal Science and fellowships of the Royal Societies of the Arts and Biology in 2019 and 2023, respectively. He was also awarded Associateship of the Royal Agricultural Societies in 2023 and Fellowship of the Royal Agricultural Society of England in 2024. He served on Presidents of the British Society of Animal Science from 2018-2022 and was a Trustee of the society for 12 years. In August 2019, he was elected President of the European Federation of Animal Science Livestock Farming Systems Commission. He represents the UK on Animal Task Force, a Public-Private think-tank informing the EU parliament in Brussels and is co-chair of the UK Universities Climate Network – Net Zero group. In 2023 he was selected to join a Technical Advisory Group of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Prof Lee also sits on the BBC’s Rural Affairs Committee, the Agriculture Advisory Group convened by the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) and the Scientific Council of the World Farmers Organization (WFO).

Michael Watkins_Lecturer

Michael is a Mudburra descendant and holds the role of Lecturer in Aboriginal Allied Health within the University of South Australia, Department of Rural Health. His teaching focusses on developing the cultural capabilities of Nursing and Allied Health students, and their research focussing on the cultural outcomes of engaging with bush foods and traditional knowledges. Michael has a background in rural and remote health practice, teaching and learning in higher education and nutrition and food sciences. He also has a keen interest in developing Aboriginal health curricula and placement opportunities in Aboriginal health settings.

Phil Stocker_{Chief Executive}

Phil leads NSA in its role of providing a voice for the UK sheep sector. Prior to joining the organisation in 2011, he spent well over 20 years in practical farming and farm management, followed by 15 years leading the Soil Association’s support for its farmer and grower members. Phil’s vision for the NSA an influential and respected organisation leading the UK sheep industry, which is forward-thinking yet maintaining the traditional and cultural aspects that are so valued. Outside of work, Phil immerses himself in things practical and hands on, from coppicing woodland, keeping poultry, growing veg and various building and DIY projects. Contact Phil via Andrea Calvesbert, NSA Assistant to the Chief Executive.

Ridhdhi Rathore _{Research Officer}

Dr Ridhdhi Rathore is a Research Support Officer at Teagasc – Agriculture and Food Development Authority. With her background in Agricultural research and extensive administrative skills, she is supporting Teagasc researchers applying for Irish and EU research grants. Dr. Rathore is particularly passionate about helping early career researchers effectively present their work and secure competitive funding. Her expertise lies in translating complex ideas into clear, engaging and impactful narratives, and she is actively involved in guiding researchers through the grant writing process. At the BSAS Early Career Symposium, she will share practical strategies to enhance writing skills, secure funding success, and captivate diverse audiences.

Sarah Klopatek_{Chief Livestock Scientist}

Dr. Sarah Klopatek currently serves as the chief livestock scientist with dual appointments on the North American and global sustainability teams at JBS. Specifically, Sarah works on livestock sustainability research, regenerative agriculture initiatives, life cycle assessment development, net zero initiatives, and animal welfare. Species expertise includes beef, pork and poultry.

Prior to working at JBS, Sarah was a postdoctoral research fellow at University of California, Davis, working in beef cattle system dynamics and livestock sustainability. During this time Sarah determined beef cattle’s water intensity in the United States decreased by 38 percent over a 28-year period.

During her graduate career Sarah completed numerous beef cattle research projects including a sustainability assessment of four grass-fed and grain-fed beef systems, multiple beef cattle life cycle assessments, a national beef sustainability and BQA survey, and multiple meat science projects. In addition, Sarah was heavily involved in teaching and extension.

As an associate instructor she developed and implemented an upper division beef systems course at UC Davis and was the advisor to the Young Cattlemen’s Association. Over the course of Sarah’s graduate and postdoctoral career Sarah earned numerous awards and fellowships including the National Cattlemen’s Foundation WD Farr Scholarship, the Council of Agriculture and Science Technology Fellowship, the James Beard Fellowship, and the American Society of Animal Scientists Young Scholar Award.

Scott Graham_{Head of Agriculture}

Scott Graham is an educational leader in Secondary Agriculture with over 15 years of teaching experience, and is now Head of the Agriculture at Barker College in Sydney. During his tenure at Barker, enrolments in Agriculture from Years 9-12 have risen from ~100 students to ~400 students annually. Barker College, located on the north shore of Sydney, now boasts the largest Year 12 Agriculture cohort of any school in Australia, regularly graduating 80-100 students each year—about 6% of the total for the state of New South Wales.

For the past five years, Scott has also been pursuing a part-time PhD in Agricultural Education through Charles Sturt University. His research focuses on improving metropolitan secondary agricultural education to significantly increase enrolments and engagement in the subject, ultimately encouraging more students to pursue related university courses and careers in the sector.

Sean Fair_{Head of the Department of Biological Sciences}

Professor Fair graduated with a PhD from University College Dublin in 2006. He took up a position as Lecturer in Physiology in National University of Ireland, Galway in 2007 and in 2009 joined the academic staff in the University of Limerick where he is now Associate Professor in Animal Physiology. His research is focused on sperm interaction with the female reproductive tract, and its secretions, using both human and animal models.

Sean is interested in all aspects of assisted reproduction in domestic animals; however, his research group is principally focused on sperm interaction with the female reproductive tract and its secretions (bovine, equine, ovine and human) using a range of in vitro and in vivo research techniques. He has ongoing projects investigating (i) the variation between males in sperm functional parameters as well as in the uterine immunological response (ii) the nutritional control of puberty (iii) sperm selection using micro-fluidics as well as (iv) ewe breed differences in cervical function and its relationship to sperm transport. His research is primarily funded by the Science Foundation Ireland (Investigators Programme), EU (ERA-Net), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Research Stimulus Fund), Irish Research Council (PhD stipends), Enterprise Ireland (Commercialisation Fund), Teagasc (Walsh Fellowships) as well as industry support.

Sharon Huws_{Professor, School of Biological Sciences}

Prof Sharon Huws is a Professor in Animal Science and Microbiology within the School of Biological Sciences and the Institute for Global Food Security. Prof Huws in responsible for the delivery of World-leading research and impact within the school. On a personal level, her research focuses on enhancing sustainable livestock production within the remit of ensuring planetary and human health. She has won over £10M in funding in the past 5 years, published over 150 publications and led many global initiatives (e.g she coordinated the global 'Rumen Microbial Genomics' network which underpinned the mission of the Global Research Alliance for Methane Mitigation from 2013-2023; currently she is leading a global project with 16 partners across the World (RUMEN Gateway project) to build a major biobank of ruminant gastrointestinal tract microbes) Prof Huws is a Senior editor for the journal Microbiome and Editor-in-chief for the sister journal Animal Microbiome. She also sits on the Scottish Government's Academic Advisory Panel, which underpins the work of the Agricultural Reform Implementation Oversight Board.

Sophie Parker-Norman_{Feed Industry Consultant}

Sophie has a wealth of experience in the global feed sector and a solid background in technical marketing development.

Effortlessly bridging the gap between practical farming and science, she is a fantastic communicator for everyone - from farmer producers to feed industry professionals.