About

BiOrbic, Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre is Ireland’s national bioeconomy research centre, established to promote and develop Ireland’s bioeconomy through excellent research and innovation.

BiOrbic is a national collaboration of over 100+ researchers, focused on the development of a sustainable circular bioeconomy.

We work with food producers and industry to create valuable and sustainable bio-based products and services from natural resources.

Our researchers work on selectively separating and extracting valued compounds from renewable materials, converting those resources into novel bio-based products and processes, delivering market and industry- scalable sustainable resources.

A core purpose of BiOrbic is to engage, involve and empower the public and societal actors with the bioeconomy and our research.

OUR VISION

To be a leader in bioeconomy research, supporting Ireland in a just transition to a sustainable society.

OUR MISSION

To enable a vibrant sustainable circular bioeconomy through research excellence, innovation and the development of future bioeconomy leaders for the benefit of Ireland, Europe and beyond.

To achieve our vision and mission the centre has set out five strategic priorities.

-Responsible and excellent research, discovery, invention and innovation for the bioeconomy

-Address global challenges that are locally relevant through the translation and application of our research

-Inclusive collaboration with a wide range of actors at a local, national and global level

-Create future leaders for the bioeconomy

-Engage, inspire and involve the public and societal actors

AT A GLANCE

Director

Prof Kevin O’Connor

Executive Director

Derek O’Brien

Operations and Talent4BBI Manager

Cathy Quinn

Operations and Finance Coordinator

Role to be filled

Finance Manager

Yvonne McQuinn

Research Funding Manager

Christine Shortt

Research Programme Officer

Liina Rae

Industry Engagement and Commercialisation Manager

 Seán Douglas

Business Development and Commercialisation Officer

Cathy Keenan





Graduate Research and Training Coordinator

Role to be filled

EPE and Communications Manager

Amanda Mathieson

Communications Officer

Jessica Chambers

Farm Zero C Project Manager

Gavin Hunt

Generation Glas Project Coordinator

Conor Haugh




Our Governance Structure and associated committees support and advise our leadership team ensuring optimal performance and oversight of activities and development.

Originally founded as BEACON Bioeconomy Research Centre, we refreshed our brand in January 2020 in line with our vision, mission and core values.

Collaboration is a core value for BiOrbic. We recognise that the best way to build a vibrant sustainable circular bioeconomy is to work with others. We have formed a number of strategic partnerships to support our collective efforts.

Our values

BiOrbic, as a centre is more than the sum of its parts. We bring together leading experts to find new ideas, to create knowledge and know-how, to collaborate and to inspire. Our shared commitment to developing a sustainable circular bioeconomy is embedded across everything we do. Our core values of excellence, discovery, innovation, collaboration and respect underpin how we work together and deliver on our goals and objectives.

Excellence
We responsibly strive for excellence in everything we do, individually and collectively

Discovery
We seek new ideas, knowledge, know-how and invention to support a sustainable, circular bioeconomy

Innovation
We challenge what is possible and are focused on creating lasting and positive impact. We develop and apply creative solutions and are not afraid of doing things differently

Collaboration
We bring experts with diverse backgrounds together to facilitate the emergence of ideas, recognising solutions and shaping them for society. We are open and actively seek to be inclusive in building external partnerships

Respect
We are honest, fair and open and maintain the highest standards of professional integrity. We embrace and value different backgrounds, views and experiences