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: Scientific Advisor

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 Nursery 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: Seaweed Processing Manager

Hussein is a chemical engineer and biorefining specialist with expertise in seaweed processing, biomass valorisation, extraction technologies, and sustainable process development. He holds multiple degrees in Chemical Engineering, Business Administration, and Biorefining, with experience spanning laboratory, pilot-scale, and industry-oriented processing.

His work focuses on the sustainable extraction and purification of high-value seaweed compounds, including pigments, polyphenols, polysaccharides, and proteins. He has practical experience in extraction, membrane filtration, solvent recovery, evaporation, purification, drying, and process optimisation.

Hussein is overseeing the development, optimisation, and scale-up of seaweed processing operations, with a focus on efficiency, product quality, resource recovery, and minimising environmental impact. Through the MSCA-DN SEACHEM Project, he has specialised in developing sustainable pilot-scale seaweed biorefineries and translating innovative processing technologies into practical industrial solutions.

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: Research Assistant

Timothy Bohan holds a Master of Science in Applied Coastal and Marine Management from and a Bachelor’s degree in Geographical and Archaeological Sciences from University College Cork. His expertise lies in seaweed cultivation, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), and marine ecology.

Tim has worked extensively with the anti-methanogenic seaweed Asparagopsis spp., conducting his MSc. thesis on an IMTA system utilizing Asparagopsis armata and salmon effluents at the Bantry Marine Research Station (BMRS). He later expanded his work in South Australia, where he cultivated A. armata and A. taxiformis at a commercial scale. There, he played a key role in enhancing quality control and optimizing production processes through his applied knowledge of seaweed cultivation.

Currently, Tim is focused on the distribution and potential valorisation of invasive marine species in the Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean. He is a collaborator on the VALIAS Project, funded by the MSCA Horizon Europe programme.

Role: Asparagopsis Project Lead

Antón Seoane oversees the strategic development and execution of all R&D activities required for the land-based production of Asparagopsis armata tetrasporophytes. He holds a BSc. in Oceanography from the University of Vigo and is a certified commercial diver.

In his role, Antón leads initiatives to optimize Asparagopsis cultivation systems aimed at reducing enteric methane emissions in cattle thus supporting the company’s commitment to delivering evidence-based, sustainable solutions for the livestock sector. He also evaluates emerging applications of Asparagopsis within the cosmetic and potential pharmaceutical domains.

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.