SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½

PhD student Jack goes for gold as vital crop protection research secures award

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Jack Perry with his parents, David and Lorraine Perry, and girlfriend, Umulkhaire Muhammed.

Vital research into a major pest affecting one of Ireland’s key crops has been recognised with an award from the country’s agricultural development body. 

The work SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ alumnus Jack Perry has already completed on his ongoing PhD has secured him a gold medal from Teagasc – the national Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority. 

It is focussed on developing early warning tools to predict the spread of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), a major threat to cereal production, and in the management of aphids and the assessment of how growers can use virus tolerant barley varieties in Irish environmental conditions. 

Jack said: “Barley is one of the most important crops to Irish agriculture.  

“The virus is spread by aphids - plant feeding insects, - into barley where it causes high yield losses.  

“Management of the virus is becoming increasingly challenging due to the removal of insecticides and environmental concerns over their use.  My research validated the use of aphid trapping tools to predict virus risk, and new barley varieties with built-in tolerance to the virus.” 

_{Jack Perry receives the 2026 Walsh Scholars Gold Medal, pictured with Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc, Professor Pat Dillon, Director of Research, and Jane Kavanagh, Head of Research Development and Walsh Scholars at Teagasc.}

Based in the Crop Research Centre at Teagasc, Jack is one of the organisation’s Walsh Scholars – and his success has now been recognised with a Walsh Scholar Gold Medal for his work. 

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Jane Kavanagh, Head of Research Development and Walsh Scholars at Teagasc, said: “The Walsh Scholars Programme supports exceptional postgraduate researchers who are helping to shape the future of Ireland’s agri-food sector through high-quality, applied research.  

“This year’s finalists demonstrated outstanding scientific excellence, innovation and commitment to addressing real-world challenges.  

“We are delighted to recognise Jack Perry as the 2026 Walsh Scholars Gold Medal recipient and congratulate all finalists on their achievements.” 

This year’s awards also marked Teagasc’s contribution to the first European Doctoral Day, an initiative celebrating the vital role of doctoral researchers in advancing scientific excellence, innovation, and societal progress across Europe. 

Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc, said: “Doctoral researchers play a critical role in delivering the innovation and evidence needed to address the major challenges facing agriculture and society.  

“The breadth and quality of research presented by this year’s finalists reflects the strength of the Walsh Scholars Programme and the importance of continued investment in research and innovation. 

“I congratulate all of the finalists and wish them every success in their future careers.” 

Jack described the win as feeling ‘incredible’ and added: “It’s a highly competitive prize and I’m very aware of the strengths of other candidates and their projects. 

“It is a nice piece of validation of my PhD project and all of the hard work that has gone into it over the past few years.” 

He is carrying out his PhD work under the supervision of Teagasc’s Louise McNamara and Dr Joe Roberts, Reader in Integrated Pest Management at SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½. 

He added: “I completed my MSc at Harper Adams with Joe Roberts and Tom Pope. 

“Their presence as supervisors on this project was a reason why I applied for the PhD programme.  

“Both have been excellent and I’ve benefitted enormously from their insights and expertise for the past three and half years.  

“I have also been very fortunate to have Louise McNamara and Stephen Byrne as my supervisors within Teagasc, where I spent the majority of my project. Their support and guidance have been invaluable, and I'm grateful to have had such a strong supervisory team behind me.”