James Cullen

Dr. James Cullen is a TU RISE-funded Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Eco-Innovation Research Centre (EIRC) within SETU's Department of Science. His research focuses on optimizing microbial quality of liquid pig feed and its impact on gut microbiome, with a sustainability lens. He holds a BSc in Molecular Biology (2018) and a PhD from SETU (2023), supervised by Prof. Gillian Gardiner. His work bridges academic research and industry collaboration, addressing practical challenges in animal agriculture.

Education:

• BSc Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science, SETU (2018)
• PhD in Microbial Ecology of Pig Feed Systems, SETU (2023)

Research Interests: His work integrates microbiology, animal nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. Key areas include liquid feed microbial quality optimization, gut microbiome dynamics, and development of feed additives that enhance both animal health and environmental sustainability. Recent projects involve collaborations with Teagasc and industry partners to translate research into actionable farming strategies.

Impact & Awards:

• Recipient of 2022 Edgar Pye Research Scholarship
• 2023 BSAS Industry Prize winner for applied research impact
• 2024 SETU Early Career Research Excellence Award

Grants & Projects: Led projects funded by Irish Research Council and national agencies, including the FRESH initiative (2019-2024). Current focus includes developing market-ready feed additives and improving liquid feed systems through microbial hygiene protocols.

Labs/Teams: Active in EIRC and Teagasc collaborations, contributing to interdisciplinary teams addressing agricultural sustainability challenges.