Vincent O'Flaherty

Professor Vincent O'Flaherty holds dual roles as Senior Lecturer and Professor of Microbiology at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), within the Faculty of Science's Department of Microbiology. With over 25 years of expertise in microbial ecology and biofilm research, he leads the O'Flaherty Lab, focusing on anaerobic biofilm reactor technology, agricultural sustainability, and methane emissions reduction. His research spans biorefinery applications, energy production, wastewater treatment, and soil ecosystem studies.

Key projects include the Teagasc Walsh Scholarship on anaerobic co-digestion optimization, the DAFM-funded METH-ABATE initiative targeting ruminant methane reduction, and the SFI-funded MAME project exploring ROHS-based methane inhibition. He also leads the Dairy Processing Technology Centre's environmental sustainability pillar, advancing zero-emission dairy processing.

Professor O'Flaherty has secured €10.5M in research funding and published over 300 scientific works, including 95 peer-reviewed articles. His lab collaborates globally through initiatives like the Irish Nutrient Sustainability Platform (INSP), promoting circular economy practices. Recent publications (2025) emphasize pilot-scale greenhouse gas abatement, anaerobic biofilm dynamics, and novel feed additives for methane mitigation.

His team advises on sustainable laboratory practices via MyGreenLab certification and has mentored numerous PhD researchers, including Kris Anthony, Alison Graham, and Emily Roskam. Current projects include the DTIF-funded S-BREW initiative for wastewater energy recovery and the SEAI-backed GEBTech slurry treatment technology.