Irish Government Appoints Eagle Genomics' Dr Shane O'Donnell as Creating Our Future Ambassador

Renowned Hurler and Harvard graduate will appear on ‘My Defining Moments’ to discuss his role as part of the Creating Our Future Roadshow

Cambridge – 15 November 2021 – Eagle Genomics, a pioneer in applying network science to biology, has today announced that its gut microbiome scientist and Product Analyst, Dr Shane O’Donnell, has been appointed as one of the Creating Our Future ambassadors by the Government of Ireland.

O’Donnell, who plays the Irish national sport Hurling at county level, has been a Harvard University Fulbright Scholar and completed a PhD at Ireland’s Teagasc, the national body providing research, advisory and training services to industry and rural communities, is delighted to have been chosen as part of the campaign to inspire researchers to help make a better future for Ireland.

Creating Our Future is an opportunity for everyone in Ireland to share ideas on how to make the country better for all—from science, the environment, health and education to poverty, the arts, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the role O’Donnell will work alongside fellow ambassadors Emer O’Neill, Home School Hub and RTE Today presenter, PE teacher, Children’s Education Campaigner, and Professor Luke O’Neill, Chair of Biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin.

The ambassadorial team is embarking on a roadshow of activity to promote the initiative, which included appearances at the Teagasc Festival of Food and Farming, as well as My Defining Moments, a one-on-one interview between O’Donnell and leading sportswriter Paul Collins at the glór Theatre in Ennis (Tuesday, 23 November, 7.30pm—9.30pm).

O’Donnell’s research at Eagle Genomics explores the relationship between the microbiome—the ecosystem of microorganisms coexisting within and without our bodies and our environment—with health and wellbeing, including building and maintaining athletic ability. As part of his ambassadorship, he intends to use the insights gained in his research role at Eagle Genomics to help demonstrate a strong correlation between sporting health and performance as well as the role of the microbiome in health in general.

Shane O’Donnell, Product Analyst at Eagle Genomics, said: "My hope is to utilize my network and understanding of powerful microbiome-related research at Eagle Genomics to help bring Creating Our Future to families across the country. Research is so critical and behind everything. If you take sports for example, there is a huge amount of research interest into fitness, health, performance, and mental wellbeing of players. That is why I am supporting this campaign and will do what I can to get the word out to my peers, with particular focus on the importance of the microbiome for improved human health."

Simon Harris TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, said: “Luke, Shane and Emer all are extremely well-respected for their areas of work, and for the passion they bring to really important subjects, and I am excited to have them on board. I’d like to thank them for joining us for this important project, and I look forward to working with them.”

Anthony Finbow, CEO of Eagle Genomics, said: “At Eagle Genomics, we are at the forefront of understanding complex microbiome data, including how important the microbiome is to every aspect of our lives and our environment, and how it can help us tackle the world’s Grand Challenges. Shane is one of our many rising stars and thoroughly deserves such prestigious recognition. We are incredibly excited about supporting team members in the foundational stages of their careers, and we are very interested to see what fresh ideas Creating Our Future might generate in the coming months.”