UL graduate Dr Anne Marie Henihan, has been appointed as the new Centre Director of Dairy Processing Technology Centre (DPTC), the Enterprise Ireland Technology Centre hosted at the University of Limerick. The DPTC is an industry-academic collaboration with a research agenda in dairy processing and innovation, driven by the long-term growth opportunities in the dairy sector.
Dr Henihan, who is a Limerick native, graduated from University of Limerick with a PhD in Waste Management and Renewable Energy. She has more than 15 years’ experience working in Research, Development and Innovation at the interface of industry and academia. She brings a wealth of experience in technological innovation and development to the role as well as a practical commitment to the sustainability and climate action agenda.
She has held strategic leadership positions within the DPTC since 2016, firstly as the Strategic Development Officer, and recently as Interim Centre Director. In that role she steered the Centre in securing funding for a second phase of DPTC research. She was instrumental in spearheading the design and development of this innovative and transformative programme of work that will drive future growth and sustainability in the Irish dairy processing sector.
As the new Centre Director of DPTC, Dr Henihan’s key priority will be to ensure that the Centre delivers innovative impact for one of Ireland’s most important indigenous industries. The Centre will be the essential differentiator for Irish dairy processors, fuelling sustainable growth. Based at the University of Limerick, she will lead a high performance team responsible for business development, funding, marketing and programme coordination.
Commenting on her appointment Dr Henihan said: “I am thrilled to be taking on this new opportunity in the DPTC as Centre Director. I am looking forward to working with our established research and industry community – as well as with new partners we hope to welcome – in this very exciting second phase of the Centre.
Our future programme is defined by the ambition of our industry partners to be global leaders in sustainable processing, while at the same time leveraging off the efficiencies of advanced manufacturing.
I am confident that as a Centre we have the innovative capability and the determination to ensure that this programme will be delivered successfully.”
Dr Sean Brady, DPTC Chair, commented “We are delighted to welcome Anne Marie as our Centre Director and I look forward to working with her as we continue DPTC’s important mission of supporting the development of the dairy processing sector in Ireland, and building Ireland’s reputation internationally as a producer of high quality, sustainable ingredients and products.”
Prof. Norelee Kennedy, Vice President Research at the University of Limerick also welcomed Dr Henihan’s appointment noting that “this appointment comes at a pivotal time for the Centre and I look forward to working as the host site for DPTC with Anne Marie.
I am confident that the DPTC in collaboration with the industry partners and other research performing organisations will deliver on the ambitious strategy for the Centre. The DPTC is a valuable part of UL’s research agenda and connects us to a very important industry in Ireland at a time of great opportunity. I wish Dr Henihan every success in this important role”.
DPTC was founded in 2014 as an academic-industry collaboration and partners include – Arrabawn Co-op., Carbery Food Ingredients Ltd., Dairygold Food Ingredients, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland, Kerry Group, Lakeland Dairies Co-op, and Tipperary Co-op. DPTC research is allocated among the partner Research Performing Organisations (RPOs). Currently, the Centre collaborates with seven RPOs; University of Limerick (UL) (Host Institution), Teagasc, University College Cork (UCC), University College Dublin (UCD), National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Dublin City University (DCU) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD).
