Professor Michael Diskin Awarded Teagasc Gold Medal For 2018
Professor Michael Diskin is the 2018 winner of the Teagasc Gold Medal. Professor Diskin is Head of the Teagasc Animal & Bioscience Research Department and he is also the Sheep Enterprise Leader. He has been in charge of the Teagasc, Mellows Campus, in Athenry, County Galway for 14 years.
The Teagasc Gold Medal is awarded on an annual basis to a member of staff who has made an exceptional contribution to Teagasc and to the agriculture and food sectors.
Michael has a strong national and international scientific reputation as a reproductive physiologist, particularly working with beef cattle. Michael has published over 130 refereed publications. In 2008, in recognition of his Scientific achievements, he was appointed adjunct Professor in the School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine in UCD.
At the Teagasc Authority meeting in Ballyhaise Agricultural College, County Cavan, Teagasc Chairman, Liam Herlihy, presented Michael with the Gold Medal. Liam Herlihy said: “Michael Diskin has had an outstanding career in Teagasc as a scientist and as a manager, where he has displayed huge dedication to the agriculture industry and to Teagasc. He has had a long, varied and distinguished career in Teagasc and we thank him for all he has contributed to the advancement of animal reproductive physiology and the Irish farming industry. He is a very worthy recipient of the Teagasc Gold medal.”
Michael is a native of Corr na Móna in County Galway, and lives in Castlebar in County Mayo. He started work in An Foras Taluntais (AFT) working with Joe Sreenan on animal reproduction. As Enterprise Leader for Sheep, he has worked to improve the Teagasc sheep programme and has played a leading role in the sheep BETTER farm programme. He has been Head of the Animal and Bioscience Research Department for the past 5 years. He also chaired the organising committees for the Teagasc FarmFest Open Day in 2008 and the very successful Farming and Country Life 1916 Event held in Athenry 2016. Recently, he has been involved in the establishment of the BIA Innovator Campus CLG at Athenry, which to-date has secured almost €6 million in government funding.
Accepting the Gold Medal award, Michael said: “Teagasc is a team-based organisation and I am fortunate and privileged to have worked with many teams of excellent people during my career. I am delighted to accept this award and I receive it on behalf of all of my current and past Teagasc colleagues in Athenry and in other Teagasc centres that I had the privilege to work with. I want to thank all the farm, technical, research, advisory, specialist and administrative staff. ”Tá mé fíor bródúil an bonn seo a ghlacadh ar mo cheann féin agus thar ceann mo chomhghleacaí uilig.” a dúirt sé.
The Teagasc Authority and the Chairman also recognised the contributions of Anthony O’Connor, Teagasc Agricultural Advisor and Tom Burke, Principal of Mountbellew Agricultural College. Both of whom have made valuable contributions in their respective fields to agricultural education and advisory services, during their careers.
The Teagasc Gold Medal is recognition for advancing the work of Teagasc and is aimed at encouraging high performance and promoting excellence. Previous distinguished winners of the Teagasc Gold Medal are: Professor Liam Donnelly, Dr Paul Cusack, Nuala King, Professor Paul Ross, Dr Lance O’Brien, Christy Watson, Professor Tim Guinea, Dr Padraig O’Kiely, Billy Kellegher, and Connie Conway.
CAPTION:
Professor Michael Diskin (centre) pictured, receiving the Teagasc Gold Medal Award for 2018, with Teagasc Chairman Liam Herlihy (left) and Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle (right).
