Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, today (Thursday, March 27) presented the Women in Agriculture Studies Excellence Award to Ruth Connolly.

Ruth is a final year PhD student in animal science at University College Dublin (UCD) School of Agriculture and Food Science (SAFS).

The award, sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), acknowledges and recognises women innovating and excelling in the agri-food sector.

Ruth was selected by the evaluation committee in recognition of her work ethic, engagement with the programme and her academic achievements.

The committee also acknowledged her ongoing contribution to gender equality, inclusion, and empowerment within the SAFS and the wider UCD and external communities.

Ruth, who is from Co. Galway, graduated from UCD with a first-class honours degree in animal science in August 2020 and embarked on her PhD in animal science in September 2021.

Her research programme is focused on identifying feeding strategies and feed additives for the diets of weaned pigs which improve thrive, gut function and digestive health.

Minister Heydon congratulated Ruth Connolly on being awarded the Women in Agriculture Studies Excellence Award.

"This award is just one way in which we can acknowledge and promote the involvement of exceptional women and young girls who can become mentors and role models for future generations of women in agriculture.

"It is appropriate that this award is presented during UCD’s equality, diversity and inclusion week," he said.

The minister said that the award aligns with the objectives of his department’s Women in Agriculture Action Plan.