Ella Mulkerrins

Project Title: AgriAdapt: Quantifying the incidence and effect of increasing disease pressure on perennial ryegrass varieties

Overview: I attended Maynooth University where I obtained a BSc in Biology. There, I participated in many Ecology based modules which fostered my love for nature. After my BSc, I moved to the Netherlands and took part in a masters of Ecology and Evolution. This was through the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam. During this time I researched topics like "The potential invasion process of alien earthworm species in Svalbard and the resultant ecological effects” and "Climatic history or current demography: Which has been the most influential driver of genetic variation in North American animal species". Currently I am a PhD student in Dundalk Institute of Technology, undertaking research in Teagasc Moorepark. My focus is on the effects of fungal diseases on perennial ryegrass varieties. This involves trial work and using drones, and subsequent analysis of samples and imagery. This is of interest to me, as it is predicted that climate change will have an effect on the incidence of grass disease in Ireland, and I enjoy the interplay of using technology to drive this relevant research further. 

Programme area: Grassland Science 

Supervisors: Dr Tomás Tubritt, Dr Michael O’Donovan, Dr Joseph Lynch and Dr Jack McDonnell.

Location: Moorepark, Fermoy, Co.Cork

Funding source: DAFM