Subin Santosh

Project Title: Environmental and welfare consequences of feeding circular feed ingredients to pigs in Ireland

Overview: Subin Santosh is a PhD researcher at Teagasc and Wageningen University and Research. His research focuses on sustainable livestock production, specifically evaluating the use of Circular Feed Ingredients (CFIs) in pig diets to reduce feed-food competition. With growing concerns over global food security, his work aims to assess the environmental and welfare implications of feeding pigs primarily with human inedible ingredients (leftovers, by-products), that adhere to the principles of circularity. By identifying potential CFIs in Ireland and testing their impact on pig growth and welfare, his research contributes to a more sustainable and resource efficient livestock sector.

Subin holds an MSc in Animal Sciences from Wageningen University, where he specialized in adaptation, health and behaviour. He also has a B.Tech in Biotechnology from Vellore Institute of Technology.

Subin is proficient in software such as R, SAS, QGIS and BORIS. Additionally, his expertise extends to laboratory techniques such as nutrient digestibility analysis, microbial culture and histology.

Outside of research, he enjoys gardening and learning new languages.

Programme Area: Pig and Poultry Development Department

Supervisors: Keelin O'Driscoll, Eddie Bokkers, Imke de Boer

Location: Animal & Grassland Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork

Funding Source: Teagasc