BiOrbic brings together over
200 researchers across 12 institutions
Our researchers come from over 29 countries and a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds. We value our diversity as it brings fresh perspectives to our work and makes our centre a more vibrant community.
Our Mission
To co-create knowledge and develop competitive real world sustainable circular bioeconomy solutions through interdisciplinary research collaboration and innovation.
Our Vision
Bioeconomy is a cornerstone of national and global economies, fostering sustainable regeneration, resilience and a just future, supporting the planet, communities and industries to thrive.
To achieve our vision and mission the centre has set out five strategic priorities.
-
Responsible and excellent research, discovery, invention and innovation for the bioeconomy
-
Address global challenges that are locally relevant through the translation and application of our research
-
Create future leaders for the bioeconomy
-
Inclusive collaboration with a wide range of actors at a local, national and global level
-
Engage, inspire and involve the public and societal actors
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion
Community Where Everyone is Welcome
Nationalities
LGBTQ+ member
Female Members
Male Members
Committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
-
Year-round EDI training, including workshops on gender, bias, leadership, and LGBTQIA+ careers in STEM.
-
Formal leadership roles ensured for women across governance committees.
-
Dedicated EDI committee with cross-institution and multi–career level representation.
-
EDI embedded in leadership, with regular reporting to Executive and Governance Boards.
BiOrbic Committees
Guided by Excellence
Our governance structure and associated committees support and advise our leadership team ensuring optimal performance and oversight of activities and development.
Governance Committee
To provide oversight of BiOrbic’s strategic vision and measure performance against this vision.
Prof Luuk Van Der Wielen (Chair)
Technische Universiteit Delft
Netherlands
Prof Sarah McLaren
University of New Zealand
New Zealand
Prof Diana Sousa
Wageningen University and Research
Netherlands
Prof Pat Dillon
Director of Research, Teagasc
Prof John Cryan
Vice President for Research and Innovation, University College Cork
Dr Fiona Grant
Head of International Programmes, Marine Institute
Rory Caren
Director Business Development, Meicnic Teoranta
Scientific Advisory Committee
Provide the Centre with independent and impartial advice on recent scientific trends and developments worldwide, to ensure that the Centre is at the forefront of international state-of-the-art.
Dirk Carrez
Executive Director, Bio-based Industries Consortium (Europe)
Alex Ward
Director of Public and Institutional Partnerships, Origin Materials (Ontario, Canada)
Colette Shirley
Director of Sustainability for its Corporate & Markets Division, Bank of Ireland
Karen Boyd
Director of Product Sustainability, World Energy (Colorado, USA)
Sean Boyle
CEO and Co-founder, UnitMode (Ireland)
Industry Advisory Committee
Advise the Centre Director, Industry Spokes Committee, and Centre Governance Committee of BiOrbic as to prevailing industry trends and needs.
Michael Scannell (Chair)
Retired, European Commission
Prof Kevin O’Connor
Director of BiOrbic
Prof Kate Robson Brown
Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact, University College Dublin
Prof Sinead Ryan
Dean of Research, Trinity College Dublin
Prof Michael Lee
Harper Adams University
United Kingdom
Prof Frank Convery
EnvEcon
Ireland