Top Irish scientist to speak on campus

The former chief science adviser to the Irish government will give a lecture at Massey’s Manawatu campus tomorrow outlining Ireland’s approach to science investment.

Patrick Cunningham, who is Professor of Animal Genetics at Trinity College, Dublin, will also compare Ireland’s scientific initiatives with other countries in the 27-nation European Union, and with New Zealand.

Professor Cunningham says Ireland and New Zealand are both small economies, with a commitment to science-based development.

“In this lecture I describe the rationale for the initiatives taken in Ireland over the past decade and explain in some detail the results achieved,” he says. “I will also address priority setting in national science investment in times of recession.”

Professor Cunningham holds a PhD from Cornell University in the United States.

Following the Bovine spongiform encephalopathycrisis in 1996, Professor Cunningham and his colleagues developed a system of DNA traceability for the meat industry, which has been used successfully in Europe for some years.

He held the post of chief scientific adviser to the Irish Government between January 2007 and September 2012. He has published over 100 papers in refereed journals, and has twice featured on the cover of Nature.

The public lecture will take place at the AgHort Building, Tuesday November 20, starting at 5.30pm.