Role: Research Director

Dr Julie Maguire, research director of BMRS, has substantial project management experience.

Dr Maguire has co-ordinated and participated in numerous EC FP 4,5,6,7 projects. Dr Maguire acts as an expert advisor on several environmental matters and sits as a Vice Chair of Horizon 2020 (Marie Curie). Dr Maguire was awarded the Copernicus Masters Award from the European Space Agency for “Best service for European citizens”. Dr Maguire has successfully managed the research station since 2005 and is now driving the business to its new commercialisation goals. Dr Maguire is extensively published in peer reviewed and technical papers.

Role: Fish Hatchery Manager

Luke Wilson has a degree in Marine Science from NUI Galway and an MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation from Trinity College Dublin. He has a number of years’ experience in commercial aquaculture, having worked in barramundi farming in Western Australia and salmon farming in Ireland. He has extensive experience in fish health and the practical applications of cleanerfish, namely wrasse and lumpfish.

Role: Macroalgal Hatchery Manager

Freddie O Mahony has more than 40 years of experience in aquaculture. She has worked in scientific and commercial facilities, including research and development. For the last 17 years, Freddie has single-handedly operated and managed a pilot-scale macroalgal hatchery in Bantry, Co.Cork Ireland. This work was funded by Bord Iascaigh Mhara. The hatchery produces over 20 km of seeded string annually for the Irish seaweed industry. Freddie has now joined the team at BMRS as a macroalgal hatchery manager. She hopes to transfer her knowledge and skills to the next generation of young algologists. Freddie will also continue her research into cultivating new species of red seaweeds.

Role: Seaweed Hatchery Manager

Dee holds an MSc in Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing and an undergraduate degree in Zoology. Dee spent 5 years working in various marine mammal projects in Australia, including boat-based research on bottlenose dolphins in the renowned Shark Bay in Western Australia and aerial based surveys on all marine megafauna off the northwest waters of Western Australia. Dee has also worked on correlation of seabird and oceanographic variables using satellite data with University College Cork. With over 15 years’ experience in marine research, she has participated in EC FP6 & 7’s, INTERREG and numerous nationally funded projects. Dee is involved in a number of macroalgae based projects, including running trials for growing Asparagopsis armata onshore, and a study, commissioned by the European Commission (EC) to support the European Green Deal, this latter project is a study of Operational Research (OR) to potentially increase shellfish and algae farming and seabed restoration for decreasing the level of harming nutrients (recycling nutrients) and reducing greenhouse gas emission, while not affecting fisheries.

Role: Postdoctoral Research Scientist 

Dr. Rochak Mittal has joined BMRS Ltd., Bantry, as postdoctoral research scientist on the SFI funded research for the extraction and purification of polysaccharides from cultivated seaweeds. He has served as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the Centre for Sustainable Fermentation, Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. There he contributed towards the valorisation of side streams from food processing units to achieve circularity and minimize environmental impact. He was engaged in responsibilities such as fermentation, process mapping, stakeholder engagement towards realising the aim of biorefinery. Prior to this position, he was a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - PROCESS COFUND Fellow at the Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, where he conducted research towards the process intensification for the extraction of bio-actives from algae for valorisation and establish circular economy practices.

Role: PhD student

Hussein is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree (BIOREF) scholar specializing in the Biorefining field. His academic journey includes dual bachelor’s degrees in chemical engineering and business administration from Anadolu University and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul, Turkey. Driven by a passion for sustainability and renewable materials, Hussein actively seeks opportunities to contribute his expertise to academic and industrial endeavors. He envisions a future where innovative solutions promote sustainability. Beyond academia, Hussein is an adventurous globe trotter, which fuels his desire to discover novel solutions to sustainability challenges.

As he embarks on the MSCA DN SEACHEM Project, Hussein aims to refine bioactive compound extraction from seaweed while minimizing waste and environmental impact through green alternatives and innovative technologies at pilot-scale. Hussein is poised to be a driving force in offshore aquaculture innovation at BMRS.

Role: Senior Research and Production Specialist

Dr. Younes Boundir is a Senior Research and Production Specialist with years of practical expertise in seaweed cultivation, research, development, and innovation. Dr. Boundir holds a Ph.D. in Phycology and Marine Science and Postdoc experience with tropical seaweed farming, he currently focuses on optimizing sustainable and eco-friendly Asparagopsis armata growing techniques while exploring the diverse applications of seaweeds.

Role: Junior Research Scientist

Lorena specialises in seaweed cultivation, disease and marine ecology. She holds a Master's in marine science and Bachelor's in Environmental Science with a focus on marine ecosystems.

With extensive hands-on experience, Lorena has worked with various seaweed species, including Alaria esculenta, Saccharina latissima, Gracilaria caudata, Kappaphycus alvarezii, and Kappaphycus striatus. Her research spans Brazil, Norway, and Indonesia, where she has contributed to kelp processing and quality control, as well as researched fermentation and acid preservation techniques.

Taking a socio-ecological approach, she focuses on disease management in seaweed farming, particularly in addressing Ice-Ice Disease. Additionally, Lorena has experience working with intertidal species such as mussels, oysters, and crabs.

In her current role, Lorena supports the Hatchery Manager in cultivating Irish kelps (Alaria and Saccharina) and Nori (Porphyra) contributing to both research projects and production efforts.

Role: Senior Aquaculture Technician and Diver

Antón Seoane is a Senior Aquaculture Technician and Diver with BSc. in Oceanography from the University of Vigo, a commercial diving certificate and advanced powerboat operation certificates. At the BMRS Antón conducts research on Asparagopsis armata, used reduce methane emissions in livestock and manages the breeding of lumpfish used for sea lice control in salmon farming. He also serves as a volunteer ambassador for LimpOcean, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing ocean plastic waste.

Role: Accounts

Jennifer is BMRS Finance Manager. Jennifer received a BA in economics from University College Cork in 1996. She later part-qualified in Certified Public Accounting in Griffith College Cork. Jennifer has over 20 years of SME financial management experience.