About KHNI .

Who We Are

The Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute was established by Kerry to advance ‘Science for Healthier Food’.

We bring the voice of science to some of the most challenging questions facing the food and beverage industry day to day through our network of over 1000 Kerry scientists, external collaborators, and our Scientific Advisory Council.

Our content comes straight from scientists and experts in nutrition, taste, food, and sensory sciences to make sure we are providing up-to-date, credible information to guide people shaping the future of food.

Scientific Advisory Council Members

Lisa Ryan, PhD

Acting Head of the School of Science and Computing & Head of the Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition - ATU

Dr. Lisa Ryan, a Registered Nutritionist, joined ATU in 2015 from Monash University. Lisa co-founded the Irish Concussion Research Centre and is widely published in concussion, nutrition, and functional foods, with research focusing on female rugby players and concussion management.

Professor Helen Sheridan BSc, MA, PhD, FRSC, FTCD

Professor in Natural Product Science at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SoPPS) - Trinity College Dublin (TCD)

Dr. Helen Sheridan is the founder and academic director of the NatPro Centre for Natural Product Research located at TCD (2019 – to date).  Helen returned to UCD on an Irish Government Fellowship and carried our research and teaching there, in the area of natural products before taking up her academic position in the SoPPS at TCD.

Melissa R. Kelly, PhD

Founder & Principal - Science Made Simple

Melissa R. Kelly, Founder of Science Made Simple, offers nutrition and scientific communications expertise to companies in pet food, human nutrition, supplements, and health tech. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in scientific storytelling, strategic communication, and research innovation. Formerly Senior Principal Nutritionist at Nestlé Purina, Melissa holds a PhD in Human Nutrition Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Kenneth W. Simpson, BVM&S, PhD, D-ACVIM, D-ECVIM

Professor of Small Animal Medicine - Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Kenneth W. Simpson is a specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at Cornell University. His research on GI diseases and host-bacterial interactions led to the discovery of adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC) in dogs with granulomatous colitis, with implications for Crohn’s disease treatment. He holds a PhD in gastroenterology, is a Diplomate of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and received the WSAVA Award for Scientific Achievement in 2022.

Editorial Team

Erik Bauer, MSc

Senior Nutrition Scientist - Kerry

Erik Bauer is a microbiologist and nutritionist that has over a decade of experience across food, beverage, supplement, and pharmaceuticals. He has been with Kerry for over 8 years. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and a Master’s Degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition through University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Aoife Marie Murphy, PhD

Global Sustainable Nutrition Manager - Kerry

As Sustainable Nutrition Manager at Kerry, Aoife’s role involves assessing Kerry’s global ingredients portfolio for nutrition and sustainability impacts. Aoife is passionate about science communication and manages the Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute, a non-commercial thought leadership platform that disseminates the latest insights in nutrition science for the food industry.

Science for healthier food