Ballina native, Dr Peter Heffernan, has been selected as a member of the European Commission's Mission Board for Healthy Oceans, Seas, Coastal and Inland Waters. He is one of two Irish appointees to the Mission Boards.
The Mission Board is one of five major research missions of Horizon Europe, the EU Research and Innovation programme (2021 – 2027 ). Dr Heffernan is one of 15 experts on the Mission Board which will identify the first possible specific missions on healthy oceans by the end of 2019.
Dr Heffernan has served as the inaugural CEO since the establishment of the Marine Institute in 1993 and will retire from this role in October 2019.
Welcoming the announcement, Dr John Killeen, Chairman of the Marine Institute, said: "Dr Heffernan has played a fundamental role in developing Ireland's ocean research capacity, and for driving collaboration in marine research and innovation in Europe and internationally. I congratulate Peter on his appointment, which reflects his strong standing in the European research community."
Over 2,100 individuals from across the EU and beyond applied to become a member of a mission board. Dr Heffernan served on the EU's Research and Innovation Area Board (ERIAB ) from 2012 – 2016.
