Vistamilk SFI Research Centre Appoints Centre Manager
Dr Francis Kearney has been appointed as the centre manager of the Vistamilk SFI Research Centre. Vistamilk is a €40 million centre, involving a consortium of Teagasc; Tyndall National Institute, Ireland’s national microelectronics institute; Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG) at Waterford Institute of Technology; and Insight Centre for Data Analytics (at UCD, NUIG, DCU), and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation. The VistaMilk SFI Research centre jointly funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation through Science Foundation Ireland, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as well as by industry contributions.
The vision of the VistaMilk SFI Research Centre is to be a world leader in the Agri-Food technology sector through innovation and enhanced sustainability across the dairy supply chain, positively impacting the environment, animal well-being and the health of consumers.
Francis will take up the role in the coming months and will be based at Teagasc Moorepark where he will support Professor Donagh Berry, Director of VistaMilk and the executive team in successfully delivering on the vision of the Centre. Welcoming the appointment of Dr Kearney, Donagh Berry said: “Hailing from a dairy farming background in North Kerry, coupled with almost 20 years’ experience in applied data analytics and project management, Francis will undoubtedly bring great leadership and act as a fantastic champion for the exciting VistaMilk initiative”.
Francis Kearney said he is excited to join the VistaMilk team: “This is a unique and hugely exciting centre, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to help VistaMilk deliver on its potential for supporting the Irish dairy and Agri tech sectors, environmental sustainability and society. I am especially looking forward to supporting the scientists and the industry partners to ensure VistaMilk can capitalise on the opportunities and help overcome the challenges that will be presented to the dairy industry in the future.”
