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Dr. Helena McMahon (Project Lead)

Co-Director ⎸ Circbio Research Group MTU

Dr. Helena McMahon: based at Munster Technological University with involvement in a wide range of Circular Bioeconomy development activities in research and innovation, education, enterprise and regional development at a national and EU level.

This includes co-leading the Circular Bioeconomy Research Group. Director of Ireland’s Knowledge Centre in Carbon Climate and Community Action, lead of the PG Diploma in Bioeconomy with Business and Certificate in Circular Economy and participation in large scale collaborative EU projects such as FANBEST, INGREEN, BIOBEC and Bio4Africa.

Dr. McMahon is particularly interested in systems innovation, marine biorefinery development, biobased product development and commercialisation.

Dr. McMahon also works in the area of inclusion, as the MTU lead on the SFI STEM Passport program and PI on the EU H2020 program MindTheGep which is focused upon progressing gender equality in the research community.

Helena.McMahon@mtu.ie
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Dr. Luke Kelleher

Associate Professor ⎸ UCD Environmental Policy

Dr. Luke Kelleher is an Associate Professor in the UCD Environmental Policy Group at the UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy. He has a rich background in leading research-intensive initiatives central to both national and international environmental policy debates. Currently, he heads the Environment and Bioeconomy Lab, focusing on key aspects of the bioeconomy. As a member of BiOrbic, the National Bioeconomy Research Centre funded by Science Foundation Ireland, he has recently worked on ensuring coherence between sectoral strategies affecting Ireland's bioeconomy. This work aims to identify and align policies across relevant sectors to achieve greater policy alignment and effectiveness.

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luke.kelleher@ucd.ie +353 1 716 2634
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Dr. Theresa Rubhara

Researcher ⎸ Circular Bioeconomy

Dr Theresa Rubhara is a post-doctoral researcher at the Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, MTU Kerry. Her research interests are in sustainable agri-food systems and the bioeconomy. Theresa has extensive experience in stakeholder needs analysis and simplifying research results to suit different audiences. Her recent work at Farm Zero C involved collating evidence-based research from the Farm Zero C project and developing such into an open-access digital social innovation blueprint for farmers. This provides information to farmers on how to implement climate change mitigation and bioeconomy activities such as slurry management and green biorefineries.

theresa.rubhara@mtu.ie
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Mr. Robert Ludgate

Researcher ⎸ Circular Bioeconomy

Robert Ludgate is a circular bioeconomy researcher and has worked on Interreg North West Europe funded projects as well as Horizon Europe-funded and Science Foundation Ireland funded projects at Munster Technological University and Technological University Dublin.

He holds an MSc in Bioeconomy and Business (1st) from Munster Technological University and University College Dublin, completing his thesis on ‘A Just Transition in the Bioeconomy for the South-West, An Agricultural Policy Study’, and was awarded the School of STEM Award MTU for outstanding achievement in Bioeconomy May 2022 by Munster Technological University.

Robert also participated in the 2022 EIT Climate-KIC Climate Leadership Journey, an extracurricular challenge-based program that empowers future professionals to become a force in creating a net-zero and climate-resilient world by developing future-oriented skills and capabilities.

robert.ludgate@mtu.ie +353 87 210 4288
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Prof. Eoin O’Neill

Director ⎸ UCD Earth Institute

Prof Eoin O'Neill is Director of the UCD Earth Institute and a Professor in Environmental Policy. He is an active researcher and seeks to advance research findings to inform policy. His research interests concern the interactions of people and the environment, under the broad themes of risk (perception and behaviour), and policy design. He is a member of BiOrbic, SFI Bioeconomy Research Centre and is involved in research exploring policy coherence and drivers for innovation, perceptions of bio-based sectors and products, and the role of primary producers in the Irish bioeconomy. His engagement in policy innovation is evidenced by citations in relevant national and international policy documents.

eoin.oneill@ucd.ie
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Hannah Gould

Researcher | UCD Environmental Policy

Hannah Gould is a circular bioeconomy researcher interested in the role of policy as an enabler and barrier to bioeconomy development in Ireland, with a particular interest in systems thinking for policymaking. Recent published work includes a bibliometric review of trends on bioeconomy literature related to policy. She is a PhD candidate with an MSc in Environmental Policy, UCD, where she was awarded the Convery Medal (2019) for outstanding academic achievement. Prior to this, Hannah spent four years in online journalism for a national newspaper, researching and writing about sustainable business issues and developments in the circular economy.

hannah.gould@ucdconnect.ie

Affiliations and Funders

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Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Protection Agency
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Munster Technological University
Munster Technological University
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University College Dublin
University College Dublin

Contact the Enable-BIO Team

T: +353 1 716 2634 | E: Helena.McMahon@mtu.ie; Luke.Kelleher@ucd.ie |