MTU team named young innovators of the year
Cillian Ferry
A Munster Technological University (MTU) engineering team, including 5 Cork students has been awarded Young Innovators of the Year 2026, taking first place nationally for developing technology to aid dairy farmers.
The MastiTrak team secured top prize in the competition, held at the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena during the National Ploughing Championship 2026. MastiTrak aims to be able to detect mastitis in dairy cows before visible symptoms appear.
The team’s technology works as an inline detection system, monitoring milk temperature from each of a cow’s four udder quarters during milking. Changes in temperature can provide an early indication of mastitis, allowing the system to alert farmers through a simple traffic-light warning system. The technology is designed to integrate into existing milking parlours and give farmers real-time information to support earlier intervention, animal welfare and milk quality.
The winning student team were represented at the national finals by: Nadia Power (team leader) from Co. Waterford, Calum McKenna from Co. Wicklow, Hernan Grisolia-Chavez, Lia Conlon, Eolan Lynch, James Ahern and Clara McCarthy – all from Cork.
The team was selected as one of three national finalists following a competitive process involving more than 40 shortlisted projects. MastiTrak was subsequently invited to exhibit at the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena and presented its technology to the highly distinguished judging panel, the Board of Enterprise Ireland, international guests and a live audience on Tuesday 15 September. Professor Seán F. O’Leary, MTU, MastiTrak primary supervisor said: “This is a tremendous achievement for the team. MastiTrak has grown from the combination of first-hand farming experience, engineering expertise and a determination to solve a very real challenge facing dairy farmers.
“What is particularly impressive is the team’s focus on creating something practical. Early identification of mastitis has clear potential benefits for animal welfare, milk quality and farm management, and the students have worked extremely hard to bring that idea from concept through development and testing to the national stage.
To be named Young Innovator of the Year is a major recognition of their work and a very proud moment for the students, their families and everyone involved at MTU,” he added.
The national award follows further success for MastiTrak earlier this year. In March, the team won first place in the MTU Prize for Innovation 2026 and was named MTU Student Entrepreneurs of the Year 2026.
The project has been supported by MTU’s Innovative Product Development supervisory team, comprising Professor Seán F. O’Leary, Dr Carol Ou, Dr Hugh O’Donnell, Dr Paul Keane and Dr Jess O’Neill. The team received specialist support from Dr Karol Murphy in prototype advancement and testing and Donal Shinnick, technical officer, in 3D printing and physical embodiment.
The MastiTrak team also received invaluable support from Professor Ger Kelly, wohose guidance played a crucial role in the project’s development and success.