AFBI-QUB Postgraduate Researcher Wins Award
Gareth Burns, a Postgraduate researcher from Belfast has won an award for his presentation at the recent Teagasc Walsh Fellowships Seminar. Gareth won a Walsh Fellowship in 2008 to study for a PhD through Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). His research is based at two centres, the Agri Food and Bioscience Institute (AFBI) at Crossnacreevy and at the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation centre in Grange. His supervisors are Dr Trevor Gilliland (AFBI), Dr Padraig O’Kiely (Teagasc) and Prof Christopher Elliott (QUB).
Dr Trevor Gilliland (AFBI) presents Gareth Burns with his award for the best short presentation at the Teagasc Walsh Fellowships Seminar
Each year, the Teagasc Walsh Fellowships Seminar takes place in the RDS, Dublin, to provide a platform for the best young researchers to showcase the results of their research and to recognise the outstanding achievements of the best young scientists working in the agri-food areas. At the event Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle said; “Through the Walsh Fellowship scheme, both UCD and Teagasc have an interest in 4th level education, focused on innovation for the agri-food industry.” He stressed the importance for all those working in the research space to have clear lines of communication into industry.
This year for the first time there was an award for the best three-minute presentation at the seminar. It was won by Gareth Burns for his presentation on ‘Implementing quality parameters for ryegrass into a national variety evaluation scheme.’ The output of this study allows the provision of digestibility and water soluble carbohydrate information to farmers through the annual recommended list publications.
Dr Trevor Gilliland of AFBI Crossnacreevy, said “This award recognises Gareth’s ability to communicate the results of his work in a engaging and concise way, and make a positive contribution to the agri-food industry in Ireland.”
