Michael Arthur

Project Title: Investigation of the microbial quality of irrigation water and sustainable treatment options for the horticulture sector.

Overview: Michael is a Ph.D student at Teagasc (Ashtown) and Technological University Dublin (TUD). His PhD work focuses on investigating the microbial quality of irrigation water and sustainable treatment options for the horticulture sector. Irrigation water is increasingly being relied upon within the horticulture production, particularly in light of increased product demand and changing climatic conditions, resulting in seasonal droughts situations. Recent studies have highlighted irrigation water as a potential source of microbial contamination of fresh produce making this project an interesting and essential one.

Michael had his MSc.Ing. degree at ISA Lille, France where he majored in Quality Management Systems in the Agro-Food Sector. During this period, he worked on several industrial and laboratory projects in a highly multinational groups, notable among them was putting in place a HACCP plan in a brewery (Jean Brasse).

Prior to joining Teagasc, he interned and worked as a research engineer at INRAE – France where he investigated the efficiency of a novel cleaning method (foam-flow) on the removal of Bacillus cereus biofilms on food contact surfaces. Results from this study was presented at the BACT 2021 Conference  at France.

Michael hails from Ghana. He has major interest in food and water safety, food security and post-harvest management. During his leisure, he enjoys listening to gospel music, learning new languages and playing the piano.

Programme Area: Food Safety

Supervisors: Dr Kaye Burgess, and Professor. Jesus Frias

Location: Teagasc Ashtown, Co. Dublin

Funding Source: Teagasc