Alltech’s Dr. Aoife Louise Lyons dies

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Dr. Aoife Louise Lyons, daughter of Alltech co-founders Dr. Pearse Lyons and Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, passed away April 18, 2019.

The Lyons family and Alltech made the public announcement of Lyons’ death on Thursday.  No cause of death was released.

Dr. Aoife Lyons was Alltech’s director of educational initiatives and engagement.  The company says she was instrumental in fostering educational opportunities within Alltech and local communities around the world, including the prestigious Alltech Young Scientist competition, the world’s largest agriscience competition for university students.

She created Alltech’s Career Development Program, which is a highly selective global recruitment and training initiative.

She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from DePaul University in 2001 and successfully ran her own private practice clinic in Chicago for more than 10 years.

The company says her specialized knowledge of human behavior and psychology enabled her to play a special role in shaping Alltech’s culture and business practices, which drew people of all backgrounds and walks of life together as one team.

Born on Aug. 1, 1973, in Ireland, she was the daughter of Alltech’s co-founders Dr. Pearse Lyons and Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, the sister of Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech’s president and CEO, and sister-in-law of Mark’s wife, Holly. Aoife was an integral part of Alltech from its very founding in 1980. The “All” in “Alltech” represents her initials — Aoife Louise Lyons.

Aoife was an adjunct professor at University College Dublin, Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree in women’s studies from University College Dublin, a master’s degree and Ph.D. from DePaul University and a postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University.

She also held a lifelong love of music and the arts. She played the violin from the age of 5, winning many competitions and accolades throughout her musical career. She continued the practice into adulthood, joining friends in playing everything from classical music as part of a trio to contemporary folk music, traditional Irish music and rock.