Dr James Cullen, TU RISE Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Science, has received the Early Career Researcher Award for his significant contributions to agricultural science and the feed industry. His PhD research, which was conducted in collaboration with Teagasc, focused on microbial profiling of liquid feed for pigs and the impact of strategies to optimise feed microbial quality on the feed and pig gut microbiome. His findings have advanced improvements in liquid feed quality and therefore, potentially livestock productivity and health, fostered strong industry collaborations, and provided valuable insights for farmers.
During his PhD, Dr Cullen developed a novel methodology to simultaneously profile bacteria and fungi in liquid feed using a single DNA extract. This work led to the publication of an open-access methodological paper, which will facilitate a more time- and cost-effective approach for future microbiome studies. James then used this novel methodology to profile the bacterial and fungal communities in liquid pig feed, revealing that bacteria from unintentional liquid feed fermentation correlate with the poorer feed efficiency observed in liquid-fed pigs. Building on this research, James, in collaboration with Teagasc and industry partners, developed a sanitisation programme for on-farm liquid feeding systems to reduce unintentional liquid feed fermentation. This sanitisation programme enhanced feed quality and based on a marginal assumed improvement in feed efficiency, was found to be cost-beneficial. Dr Cullen’s research has been widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, industry events, press articles, and newsletters. His research achievements have also been recognised with the Society of Feed Technologists Edgar Pye Research Scholarship (2022) and the British Society of Animal Science Industry Prize (2023).
Dr Cullen continues to drive innovation in animal nutrition and microbiology. He was recently awarded a TU RISE Postdoctoral Fellowship with Kerry as the industry partner and Teagasc as a collaborator. This fellowship strengthens SETU’s industry connections and further enhances collaborations with Teagasc. His project aims to develop regulatory-compliant feed additives to reduce antibiotic usage and associated antimicrobial resistance, benefiting animal and human health, livestock productivity, and environmental sustainability. Among the antibiotic alternatives being examined is a novel probiotic strain, which Dr Cullen contributed to developing during his undergraduate studies and research internship at SETU. A joint SETU-Teagasc patent has been filed for this probiotic strain which is intended for future commercial use.