About The Network

Dr. Jay Golden is the inaugural Pontarelli Professor of Environmental Sustainability and Finance at Syracuse University. An internationally recognised scholar, his research focuses on the global sustainability transition, examining its risks, opportunities and implications for markets, policy and national security. He is the author of Dynamic Sustainability: Implications for Markets, Policy and National Security.

Derek O’Brien is Executive Director of BiOrbic, Ireland’s National Bioeconomy Research Centre, where he leads the Centre’s strategic development, partnerships, operations and stakeholder engagement. Since helping establish BiOrbic in 2017, he has played a leading role in building Ireland’s bioeconomy ecosystem, bringing together researchers, industry, policymakers, producers, investors and communities to accelerate the transition to a sustainable circular bioeconomy.

Cathy Keenan is Partnerships Manager at BiOrbic, Ireland’s National Bioeconomy Research Centre, where she leads the development of strategic partnerships across academia, industry, government and international networks. She works to build collaborative initiatives that strengthen Ireland’s bioeconomy ecosystem, accelerate innovation, and create opportunities for research to deliver real-world environmental, economic and societal impact.

Dr Janire Pascual-Gonzalez is a Research Assistant Professor in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and Managing Director of the Dynamic Sustainability Lab at Syracuse University. Her research focuses on supply chain dynamics, sustainable transitions, and expanding the U.S. biobased economy across energy, chemicals, and consumer goods. Holding a Ph.D. in Chemical, Environmental, and Processes Engineering from Universitat Rovira i Virgili, she leads major research projects for government and industry clients analysing the economic and employment impacts of emerging green technologies.

Timothy A. Volk is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management at SUNY ESF, bringing over 30 years of expertise in forestry, bioenergy, and sustainable bioeconomy development. His research integrates field studies, life cycle assessments, and supply-chain analysis to evaluate sustainable woody biomass systems—particularly shrub willow and forests—for bioenergy, bioproducts, and environmental applications like phytoremediation. Having secured over $50 million in external research funding, he collaborates across international academic, government, and industry networks to advance resilient biobased supply chains and foster transatlantic bioeconomy partnerships.

Dr. Joseph Sweeney is an Assistant Professor in the School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, UCD. He possesses a multidisciplinary background consisting of an undergraduate degree in Industrial microbiology, a MSc in Computer science and PhD in Biosystems Engineering. He has been able to merge these contrasting fields to develop novel genetically engineered E. coli – based biosensor platform technologies which he has developed for a number of bioprocesses including Anaerobic Digestion and Green Biorefinery.

Professor Kevin O’Connor is Full Professor of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology at University College Dublin (UCD) and Director of BiOrbic, Ireland’s Research Ireland Centre for Bioeconomy. He is internationally recognised for his leadership in the circular bioeconomy, industrial biotechnology and sustainable innovation, developing technologies that convert renewable biological resources and waste into high-value, sustainable products.

Professor Holden’s research is on the sustainability of agriculture and food chains, with a focus on: (i) Life Cycle Assessment; (ii) Soil Quality (Sensing and Visual) methods; and (iii) Agricultural Systems Technology. As a member of the Biosystems Engineering discipline since 1998, he teaches life cycle assessment, green technology projects, precision agriculture and research and teaching methods. Nick is head of subject for Agricultural Systems Technology and has recently led the introduction of a new BAgrSc degree in this area. He is also the school Head of Teaching and Learning. He supervises graduate and post-doctoral research as part of the activity of his research group.