About Us

Ronan Cox is the CEO of Equilume, leading the company’s global growth in science driven lighting solutions for equine health and performance. He brings a strong background in senior finance, operations, and strategic leadership, with a track record of building high performing teams and scaling innovative businesses. Before joining Equilume, he worked across consultancy, business development, and executive roles where he specialised in aligning technology with commercial strategy to drive sustainable revenue growth.

Under his leadership, Equilume continues to expand its international footprint and advance its mission of improving equine wellbeing through evidence based light therapy.

Dr. Barbara Anne Murphy is Founder of Equilume Ltd and Associate Professor of Equine Science at University College Dublin, where she also serves as Head of Equine Science and Program Director of the Animal Science–Equine degree. She completed a BSc in Equine Science at the University of Limerick, worked in the Thoroughbred industry, and later earned her PhD in Veterinary Science at the University of Kentucky’s prestigious Gluck Equine Research Center. Her PhD research helped pioneer the field of chronobiology in equine science, exploring how circadian rhythms interact with immune function.

Her current research explores how environmental cues—particularly photoperiod—regulate biological rhythms and influence reproduction, growth, health and performance in horses and cattle. A key discovery from her research showed that low-intensity blue light delivered to one eye can profoundly influence equine physiology and behavior. This breakthrough led to the development of the Equilume Light Mask, now widely used internationally to support fertility, performance and wellbeing in horses.

Equilume has grown into a global agri-tech company with subsidiaries in the US and Australia. A native of West Cork on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Barbara combines hands-on experience in the equine industry with academic research to drive innovation as both educator and entrepreneur.

Anna Sheehy has a strong background in operations and product-focused roles, with experience spanning process improvement, strategic planning, and cross-functional project delivery. At Equilume, she works across the full product lifecycle — from initial design and development through to supply chain coordination and ongoing customer support — ensuring innovative equine solutions are successfully brought from concept to market. Her day-to-day focus involves aligning product vision with practical execution, collaborating with design, managing supply partners, and maintaining high quality standards to meet user needs. Anna also plays a key role in optimizing operations, aligning strategic objectives across departments, and identifying opportunities for growth and continuous improvement. By streamlining processes and monitoring key performance metrics, she helps ensure both the product and the wider business operate efficiently and effectively.

Outside of work, Anna has a keen interest in Asian culture and enjoys unwinding with a good comedy show — she firmly believes that a great sense of humour is essential in both business and life.

Conor Doyle is Business Development Manager for EMEA at Equilume, working with customers and partners across Europe. Based at the company’s headquarters in County Kildare, he also works closely with the US sales team to support Equilume’s presence in the United States. His role centres on building relationships within the industry and helping breeders, trainers, and equine professionals get the most from Equilume’s science-based lighting solutions.

Conor studied Legal Studies and spent several years involved in student union leadership roles. Before joining Equilume, he worked in sales and international business development within the equine sector. He has a strong interest in the global thoroughbred industry and enjoys working with clients across different regions. Outside of work, he plays Gaelic football and coaches his local U7 boys’ Gaelic football team.

Melissa has over 15 years of international finance experience across manufacturing, hospitality, retail, and engineering sectors in Ireland, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.

Before joining Equilume Ltd, she held senior roles focused on management reporting, cost control, payroll, and multi-entity financial operations.

At Equilume, Melissa oversees all finance functions, including consolidated reporting, cashflow forecasting, payroll, tax compliance, treasury, and audit coordination across the company’s global entities.

Melissa is qualified in Data Protection, Purchasing & Procurement Management, Supervisory Management, Financial Accounting, Taxation (ROI), Business Management, and Integrated Accounting Systems, and is currently completing the CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) CGMA Senior Executive Program.

Melissa also leads ERP improvements, strengthens internal controls, and provides finance and systems training across the business.

Outside of work, she enjoys travel, hospitality, and spending time with family.

Estephanie “Steffi” Zermeno is a lifelong horsewoman raised in a family with deep roots in performance horses, where breeding, raising, and training their own stock has always been a way of life. She has been riding and competing since early childhood and continues to start, train, and compete on horses from multi-generation bloodlines her family has developed for decades. Steffi brings that hands-on perspective into her role as General Manager (TX/OK) for Equilume, where she works closely with breeders, trainers, and owners across the country.

A proud Texas A&M graduate who has “bled maroon” since childhood, she considers Kyle Field a third home, right behind being in the saddle, and is guided by a strong Catholic faith. She lives in Stephenville, Texas, with her son, Arlis.

Charlotte Chubb (Pipkin) is a lifelong horsewoman with a background rooted in the competitive equine industry. She grew up riding and showing, with most of her experience competing at a high level in AQHA all-around events. She has also gained experience in the hunter/jumper and dressage disciplines, giving her a broad perspective on different areas of the equine industry.

Charlotte holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Findlay. She began her career at Equilume in Customer Service, where she developed an in-depth understanding of the company’s products, customers, and day-to-day operations. After a gap opened in the marketing team, she stepped into a marketing role, bringing her customer service experience and equine background together to help communicate Equilume’s products, research, and mission to horse owners and industry professionals.

Today, Charlotte works across Equilume’s marketing efforts, including social media, email marketing, advertising, events, and creative content. Her firsthand experience with horses and understanding of the needs of horse owners help her bring an authentic equine perspective to the brand.

Outside of work, Charlotte enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs. She also loves traveling, gardening, and taking on a variety of art and creative projects.

Paige Hoffmann serves as an Equine Specialist at Equilume, overseeing U.S. veterinary sales strategy, and has been with the company since August 2022.

Paige holds a Master of Science in Equine Industry Management from Texas A&M University, with a special focus in equine reproduction, and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science from California Polytechnic State University. She combines equine sales leadership with hands-on veterinary technician experience, bringing extensive experience working alongside veterinarians, breeders, and performance-horse professionals.

At Equilume, she focuses on building strategic veterinary partnerships, reseller development, and supporting the implementation of light masks and stable lighting systems across breeding and performance disciplines. She lives in Texas with her family and is passionate about ranching culture, breeding season strategy, and helping horses reach their full potential.

Michelle’s passion for equine performance and welfare has shaped her career and continues to drive her work within the industry. As a master certified saddle fitter with over 12 years of experience, she remains committed to helping horses feel and perform at their best while building meaningful relationships throughout the sport horse community.

Residing at her farm in Ohio, she remains an active competitor in both dressage and eventing.

Bailey Lacy grew up in Augusta, Kansas, and earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a certificate in Equine Science from Kansas State University. Raised in the cutting horse industry, she developed a lifelong passion for performance horses and the equine industry. During college, Bailey discovered a strong interest in equine reproduction and completed a breeding internship at the historic 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, Texas. She later served as the Processing Lab Manager at Brazos Valley Stallion Station in Stephenville, Texas, where she gained valuable hands-on experience working with stallions and breeding operations.

At Equilume, Bailey supports the team through logistics and customer service, assisting horse owners and breeders with product questions while coordinating shipments to ensure a smooth experience for clients. Outside of work, she enjoys showing her working cow horse and supporting her husband in his farrier career.

Amandine has an Agricultural Engineering degree and also completed the Irish National Stud course as well as the prestigious Godolphin Flying Start.

Following a childhood at pony club and competing in showjumping, she immersed herself into the thoroughbred industry via multiple courses, placements and jobs within stud farms across the world including Europe, USA, Australia and New-Zealand.

She now lives full time in Australia on an Angus cattle farm with her husband and 2 kids where they also breed thoroughbreds and stock horses.

Amandine really enjoys sciences having also worked in Equine Genetics previously! She started to work for Equilume in 2017 and has been looking after all our clients in Australia and New Zealand since then. She is also very involved with the marketing and our sponsorships within that region.

Max Porlezza grew up in a family deeply rooted in the horse world, with four generations involved in thoroughbred breeding and racing. Max attended The King’s School and once he finished, he went on to study at UNSW, before pursuing his passion more directly through an Equine Science degree at Charles Sturt University.

Max’s career has been shaped by a broad mix of hands‑on and professional roles across the equine world. He has worked on studs, with young horses, in racing stables, and in administrative and analytical positions within major breeding and racing operations.

Since 2021, Max has worked with Equilume, helping horses of all breeds benefit from their world leading Equilume Light Masks and stable lights. Together with Amandine Lee-Warner, Max works as the territory manager for Australia and New Zealand and is available to answer any questions you may have.

Conor Doyle is Business Development Manager for EMEA at Equilume, working with customers and partners across Europe. Based at the company’s headquarters in County Kildare, he also works closely with the US sales team to support Equilume’s presence in the United States. His role centres on building relationships within the industry and helping breeders, trainers, and equine professionals get the most from Equilume’s science-based lighting solutions.

Conor studied Legal Studies and spent several years involved in student union leadership roles. Before joining Equilume, he worked in sales and international business development within the equine sector. He has a strong interest in the global thoroughbred industry and enjoys working with clients across different regions. Outside of work, he plays Gaelic football and coaches his local U7 boys’ Gaelic football team.