David Graham is CEO and interim Programme Manager for Biosecure Diseases including the BVD programme. He qualified from UCD as a Veterinary Surgeon in 1988, and after working as a house surgeon at the Veterinary School in Dublin he moved back to Northern Ireland where he spent several years in mixed large animal practice. In 1992 David joined the Stormont laboratories of the Veterinary Sciences   division of the Science Service (now the Agrifood and Biosciences Institute) of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development where he has worked in several branches. During his time there he gained extensive experience in the diagnosis and control of a wide range of viral and bacterial diseases, including bovine viral diarrhoea (BVDV), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), Johne's disease and leptospirosis. He received his PhD in 1998 on improved methods for diagnosing bovine respiratory disease from Queen’s University Belfast and in 2007 he established, and has subsequently led a cattle health scheme offering monitoring, eradication and accreditation programmes for BVD, IBR, Johnes and leptospirosis. David joined AHI in October 2010 and held the position of Deputy CEO prior to his appointment as CEO.  On an interim basis he continues to hold the position of Programme Manager for Biosecure Diseases where his role is to lead and manage a number of  AHI projects relevant to the non-regulated biosecure diseases which have been prioritised for action by AHI (BVD, IBR). He is actively involved in the Johne's Disease control programme. Contact David by email here.

Finola graduated from University College Dublin in 1997 with a degree in veterinary medicine. She spent the following 11 years working in various mixed practices in Ireland, UK and New Zealand, and during this time developed a keen interest in the dairy industry. Working with large dairy herds in New Zealand provided an invaluable insight into some of the challenges associated with herd expansion and disease control. While working in practice she undertook a Masters in Science in Livestock Health and Production through the University of London, which she completed in 2006. Finola joined the Teagasc research team in Moorepark in 2008, as the mastitis research officer. She co-ordinated and managed a pilot study evaluating a team-based approach to mastitis control, as well as collaborating on other research projects. She has a keen interest and experience in international models of mastitis control. While working for Teagasc she commenced working as Programme Manager for CellCheck, and joined the AHI staff in May 2013 to continue working in that role. Finola has been awarded a 2014 Nuffield scholarship, to explore the topic of building strong professional teams and networks among rural service providers. Contact Finola by email here.

Nuala has many years of experience working with various companies such as City of Dublin VEC and IBEC. She left Dublin in 1997 and moved to Carrick on Shannon where she managed her own restaurant business. Contact Nuala Morgan by email here.

Karol holds a degree in Business with Accounting from the University of Ulster and a Masters Degree in Strategic Management and Planning from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. He comes to AHI with experience of management consultancy, operations planning, and administration in a variety of fields, ranging from construction to human health. Karol will provide the organisation with the capacity to plan and deliver CellCheck – the new mastitis control programme as well as other programmes that have potential for national application, such as those for the control and eradication of BVD, Johne’s Disease, IBR and the infertility programme.

Contact Karol by email here.

Animal Health Ireland is delighted to welcome on board Gráinne Dwyer. Grainne comes to Animal Health Ireland with many years experience in the area of administration, communications and event management. She had been working with AHI in a consultative capacity for two year prior to joining the organisation on a full-time basis in 2012. Gráinne worked for several years in the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland in a number of roles including administrator of their professional indemnity insurance.  More recently, she was General Secretary of the Irish Grassland Society, a position she held for eight years.  In 2007 she left the IGA to set up her own company, Nore Conference Services, acting as a Consultant to several major agricultural events, including Beef Expo 2008, Beef Expo 2010 and the Nuffield International Conference. In 1999, Gráinne was the first woman in Ireland to be awarded a Nuffield Scholarship.   Her study topic was an examination of the role of women in agriculture.  She travelled to Norway, France, New Zealand and Australia to research her subject. Gráinne Dwyer comes to Animal Health Ireland with many years experience in the area of administration, communications and event management. She had been working with AHI in a consultative capacity for two year prior to joining the organisation on a full-time basis in 2012. Contact Grainne by email here.

Jackie graduated from the Dublin Institute of Technology with a degree in Marketing in 1987.

She then worked in a financial services firm in the U.S.A. for many years, holding various administrative and accounting posit

ions. After returning to Ireland Jackie spent a few years raising a family while continuing her education and training as a secondary school teacher.

She joined AHI in March 2012 and works as a part time administrator with particular focus on the BVD programme.

Nicola worked in London in Fleet and Insurance before moving to Ireland in 2003. She has many years of experience working with various companies in Ireland with a wide range of roles in administration. She joined Animal Health Ireland in January 2013 and works as an administrator with particular focus on the Johne’s disease programme.

Lisa graduated from Sligo Institute of Technology with a degree in Business Administration in 2010. She spent two years in Toronto, Canada working in various administrative positions before returning to Ireland in 2012. After returning to Ireland she moved back to Mayo and worked as part of the finance team in a multinational organisation based there. Lisa joined AHI in December 2015, where she works as an administrator with particular focus on the CellCheck Programme, Skillnet’s and Finance.

Lorna graduated from the University of Sydney, Australia in 1977 with a degree in veterinary science. She worked as a government veterinary officer on the National Brucellosis and TB Eradication Campaign (BTEC) in the late seventies, and in private mixed practice in Australia and the UK. After a number of years working in private practice, Lorna developed an interest in vocational training and coordinated a rural training centre for a vocational training organisation where she focussed on delivering practical training programmes for farmers wanting to improve their farms’ profitability and productivity in New South Wales. She also undertook further study in project management and more recently completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Management. Lorna joined the staff of Animal Health Australia in 2003 and for a number of years managed the National Johne’s Disease Control Programme. During this time she developed an interest in endemic diseases generally and has worked with the sheep and dairy goat industries on a number of national disease surveillance and control projects.