2023 Awards Archive

2023 PSA Fellow

Fellow of the Poultry Science Association

Prosur

Dr. Christine Alvarado earned her B.S. in Biomedical Science, and MS and Ph.D. in Food Science from the department of Poultry Science at Texas A&M University. Alvarado’s career has focused on serving the poultry industry in academia, government, and industry. In academia, Alvarado has been on faculty at Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M University where she focused on poultry processing and further processing research to improve quality, process efficiency, and food safety for the industry. In addition to academia, Dr. Alvarado was a subject matter expert for the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service in the Office of Policy and Program Development in Washington DC where she helped develop policy and improve HACCP guidance. Currently, she works for Prosur, a clean label ingredient solution company. As a senior food scientist with Prosur, Alvarado manages innovative ingredient solution research for customers looking for clean, and transparent labeling. Dr. Alvarado also has a strong passion for educating the next generation of leaders in the poultry industry. Alvarado has dedicated the last 20 years to teaching industry courses and mentoring students in career choices. She lives with her husband Ron in upstate NY and has four amazing, talented, and kind children.

The status of Fellow is one of the highest distinctions a PSA member can achieve. The election to Fellow recognizes members of the Poultry Science Association for professional distinction and contributions to the field of poultry science and service to the Poultry Science Association. Not more than five members may be elected as Fellows at any one annual meeting. A two-thirds majority vote by the Board of Directors is required to elect any nominee as Fellow.

Other Nominated Awards

Ramesh Selvaraj

Ramesh Selvaraj

American Egg Board Research Award

University of Georgia

Ramesh Selvaraj was born in India and received his DVM and MS degree from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, a second MS degree from Oregon State University, and his PhD degree in immunology from the University of California, Davis. After a postdoctoral research associateship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, he joined The Ohio State University as an assistant professor in 2007. He later joined the University of Georgia in 2017.

Selvaraj’s laboratory is the first laboratory ever to identify and characterize chicken T regulatory cells. T-regulatory cells are a subset of T cells specializing in immune suppression and are involved in microbial defense, pathogen persistence, impaired vaccine responses, and compromised anti-tumor responses. A comprehensive understanding of T regulatory cells is critical not only for understanding host-pathogen interactions during infections but also for vaccine design and development. Chicken T regulatory cells were isolated based on the CD25 marker. Because anti-chicken CD25 was not available commercially, Selvaraj’s laboratory made a monoclonal anti-chicken CD25. Dr. Selvaraj holds a patent for nanoparticle vaccine delivery for Salmonella and Clostridium perfringens antigens. He has worked with several industry partners to identify the mechanism through which those products improve immune response and decrease disease severity in poultry.

Selvaraj has published approximately 75 refereed papers. He teaches Nutritional Immunology in the Animal System to graduates and undergraduates at the University of Georgia. A PSA member since 2001, he has regularly served as section program chair and judge of student presentations at the annual meetings. He is also serving as an associate editor of Poultry Science (Health and Disease) and frequently reviews manuscripts for other journals in his specialty area.

The American Egg Board Research Award is given to the recipient who has increased the interest in research pertaining to all things related to eggs. This could include areas related to egg production, safety, product quality, or egg science technology. This is an annual award.

Martin Zuidhof

Martin Zuidhof

American Feed Industry Association Poultry Nutrition Research Award

University of Alberta

Martin Zuidhof, a member of PSA since 1991, enjoys a mixture of praise and criticism for being a boisterous, fun-loving Canadian. Zuidhof is a Professor at the University of Alberta, Canada, specializing in Poultry Systems Modeling and Precision Feeding. Zuidhof received a MSc in broiler breeder management in 1993, and a PhD in bioeconomic modeling of the broiler supply chain from the University of Alberta in 2004, while working at Alberta Agriculture as a Research Scientist. He joined the University of Alberta in 2009. Zuidhof has won many teaching awards, and currently teaches courses in Introductory Animal Science and Applied Poultry Research. In the past decade, Zuidhof’s research has focussed primarily on precision feeing of broiler breeders. His team developed and patented a precision feeding system for poultry. The system is designed to feed the right bird the right amount of the right feed at the right time. With it, broiler breeder flocks can be grown to a perfectly uniform weight; the system doubles as an excellent high resolution data acquisition tool for group housed individuals. The system automates tasks such as feed allocation, and even pair feeding. It has led to novel insights into metabolism, physiology, and behavior. Zuidhof has published 97 peer reviewed scientific papers, and has co-founded a company in support of his goal to revolutionize the way the world feeds and studies broiler breeders. Zuidhof has served as a PSA director from 2018-2021, as president of the World’s Poultry Science Association Canada Branch (2010-2014), and Academic Leader of the Poultry Research Centre and the Poultry Innovation Partnership since 2010 at the University of Alberta. His team has played an important role in finding new ways to conserve unique benchmark genetic resources. His hobbies include golf on long northern summer evenings, jamming and singing (acoustic guitar), and teaching his 2 grandsons practical implications of poultry science.

This award is given to recognize distinctive work demonstrating sound research in poultry nutrition in the last 10 years. This is an annual award.

Harshavardhan Thippareddi

Harshavardhan Thippareddi

Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production Food Safety Award

University of Georgia

Dr. Thippareddi is currently the Interim Associate Dean for Research in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and John Bekkers Professor of Poultry Processing and Safety in the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia, Athens, GA. In his faculty role, he teaches and conducts research on poultry processing and its effects on poultry quality, yield and other characteristics and on improving the microbiological quality and safety of poultry.

Previously, he was a Professor and Food Safety Extension Specialist at University of Nebraska, Lincoln in the Department of Food Science and Technology. In this role, he assisted food processors on food safety and microbial shelf life issues in Nebraska and throughout the U.S. He has been awarded the “Harry L. Rudnick Award” by North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP) for his service to the meat and poultry industry.

He has conducted applied food safety research to assist meat and poultry processors address food safety issues such as E. coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STECs) in beef and beef products, Listeria monocytogenes control in RTE meat processing environment and products, Salmonella and Campylobacter control at in poultry production and processing, optimization of antimicrobial interventions during poultry processing, Salmonella Enteritidis in shell eggs during cooling and C. perfringens during cooling of cooked, ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.

He has attracted more than $40 million in Federal and commodity funding for his research and Extension program and has published over 100 peer-reviewed publications, and numerous Extension and publications for lay audience.

He is an active member of Poultry Science Association (PSA), Institute of Food Technologists, American Meat Science Association (AMSA), and International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) and is a member of several scientific organizations.

This award is given to stimulate and reward research in the field of poultry (chicken, turkeys and eggs) pre- and post-harvest food safety. Nominee’s research should exhibit a sustained impact on decreasing pathogenic organisms in pre- and post-harvest situations. It is given every other year.

Joshua (Jianhua) Gong

Joshua (Jianhua) Gong

Evonik Award for Achievement in Poultry Science

Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada

Dr. Joshua (Jianhua) Gong is a senior Research Scientist with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).  He is an adjunct professor at the University of Manitoba, University of Guelph, and Nanchang University (China).  He has served on the Scientific Advisory Committee of Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC) since 2004 and was the first-term Lead of CPRC’s AviMicroNet (Canadian research network for avian microbiology).  Dr. Gong’s research is focused on the interactions between gut bacteria and animal hosts to improve gut health and replace in-feed antibiotics, poultry in particular.  The outcomes from his research have significantly advanced the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic-substitutes, pathogenesis of critical enteric pathogens targeted by in-feed antibiotics, and development of viable antibiotic-alternatives that have generated several license agreements for technology transfer including two product registrations in Canada for poultry use.  Dr. Gong has co-authored 172 peer-reviewed publications with a cumulative h-index of 58, five issued patents and 18 patent applications, and 236 conference abstracts, and delivered 77 invited speeches at various symposiums and institutions to date.  He has trained over 60 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists with multiple trainees appointed to faculty/scientist positions in animal and food science at different universities and industries.  Dr. Gong has received three Awards from the Canadian Society of Animal Science, including the Award for Technical Innovation in Enhancing Production of Safe Affordable Food (2012), the Award for Excellence in Nutrition and Meat Science (2019), and the Fellowship Award (2022).  The poultry necrotic enteritis research and the novel encapsulation technologies for delivering antibiotic-alternatives that Dr. Gong led or co-led have earned AAFC’s 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Science, respectively.  Dr. Gong is the only scientist who has been honored with the prestigious award at AAFC twice thus far.

The Evonik Corporation award is an annual award given as an achievement award, i.e., for distinctive contributions to poultry science advancement, covering a period of not more than seven years preceding the annual award.

Darrin Karcher

Darrin Karcher

Maple Leaf Farms Duck Research Award

Purdue University

Darrin Karcher, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Extension Poultry Specialist in the Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University. Dr. Karcher received his B.S. degree from The Ohio State University, M.S. from University of Wisconsin – Madison and the Ph.D. from Purdue University. He has been charged with developing a strong poultry extension program. He is directly engaged with stakeholders across the poultry economies and uses his applied research program as a platform to deliver research-based Extension programs. His research projects are focused on addressing industry concerns in laying hens and meat birds. His program’s focus is poultry well-being coupled with food safety and quality as impacted by management practices, physiology and nutrition. His passion for poultry and engagement with the poultry industries has contributed to his success.

This award is given to stimulate and reward research with ducks and improve the knowledge base of science as applied to commercial duck production. This research should be for a period of not more than 10 years preceding the presentation of the award.

Woo Kyun Kim

Woo Kyun Kim

National Chicken Council Broiler Research Award

University of Georgia

Woo Kyun Kim is a professor/poultry nutritionist in the Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia. He received a BS in animal science from KonKuk University, South Korea, a MS in poultry science from the Pennsylvania State University, and a PhD in nutritional science at the Pennsylvania State University. He has been trained as a Postdoc Fellow at Texas A & M University and University of California Los Angeles. He worked as an assistant professor/monogastric nutritionist at University of Manitoba before his joining as a faculty member at University of Georgia. His research has been focused on roles of feed additives, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals on nutrient utilization, gut health, and bone health in poultry. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers, 22 proceedings, and 183 abstracts, and obtained over $15 million in extramural funding from USDA-NIFA, USDA-CAP, USDA-CBG, USDA-Corporative Agreement, US Poultry & Egg, United Soybean Board, Almond Board of California, and Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC-Discovery). He has given 88 national/international invited talks and mentored 24 graduate students. He was the recipient of the 2020 PSA American Feed Industry Association Nutrition Research Award and the 2021 UGA-CAES Outstanding Mentor Award. His teaching activities include on poultry nutrition and vitamins in animal nutrition. Dr. Kim currently serves as a section editor for Poultry Science.

The National Chicken Council Broiler Research Award recognizes distinctive research work that has a strong economic impact on the broiler industry, primarily on the economic influence the work has had or will have on the industry. It is an annual award.

Elizabeth Karcher

Elizabeth Karcher

Novus International Teaching Award

Purdue University

Dr. Elizabeth Karcher is a Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University. Since 2008, she has formally taught over 2,500 students in over 50 course offerings. Dr. Karcher has taught a variety of courses and has developed four study abroad programs to the Netherlands, Italy, and Vietnam. The overall goal of her teaching and learning program is to create workforce-ready animal science graduates with the technical knowledge, skills, and global-mindsets necessary to meet the challenge of feeding a growing population. Towards this end, Dr. Karcher develops and implements innovative experientially learning platforms that enhance student interest in food animal production, enhance learning, and develop intercultural competencies. She has published over 25 journal articles on education-related topics and was the recipient of three poultry-related educational grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 2022, Dr. Karcher was awarded the Purdue University Murphy Award for Undergraduate Teaching. Additional honors include the USDA Excellence in College and University Teaching in Food and Agricultural Sciences Teaching Engagement Award, the Purdue University Exceptional Early Career Teaching Award, and the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Teacher Scholar Award. Dr. Karcher earned a bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. from Iowa State University. She lives in West Lafayette, IN with her husband and five children.

This award is given to recognize that excellence in teaching is basic to the future welfare of the poultry industry and to aid continued professional improvement through travel, study, and other means. This is an annual award.

Yuko Sato

Yuko Sato

Phibro Extension Award

Iowa State University

Dr. Yuko Sato received her DVM in 2012 from Purdue University. She joined Iowa State University in August 2015 after completing a poultry residency and serves as the university’s Poultry Extension Veterinarian and Diagnostic Pathologist. She is a diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians since 2015. Her extension programs focus on poultry infectious disease diagnosis, prevention, and investigation. Dr. Sato is very active in scientific organizations such as the American Association of Avian Pathologists and United States American Health Association, and is a highly sought out national speaker on poultry conferences. She also serves on numerous advisory boards locally, such as the state poultry associations, as well as nationally, including the United Egg Producers scientific advisory committee.

This award is given to recognize PSA members for conducting an outstanding program of work in the area of poultry extension and outreach during a five-year period. This is an annual award.

Shawna Weimer

Shawna Weimer

PSA Early Achievement Award for Extension

University of Arkansas

Originally from Iowa, Shawna Weimer received her BS and MS degrees in Animal Science from Iowa State University. After working in compliance and procurement in the commercial swine industry, Shawna completed her PhD in Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas and post-doctoral training at Purdue University. In 2019, Shawna joined the University of Maryland as an Assistant Professor and Poultry Extension Specialist where she worked with small flock owners and the Delmarva poultry industry on education and applied research projects focusing on poultry welfare. In 2021, Shawna joined the University of Arkansas as an Assistant Professor and Director of the Center for Food Animal Wellbeing in the Department of Poultry Science. Her applied research efforts aim towards evaluating management factors and sensor technologies to improve poultry welfare. In addition to hosting an annual symposium, Shawna’s extension activities are rooted in collaborations with academic researchers, animal welfare organizations and poultry industry stakeholders aimed at developing training programs, conducting applied research, and serving on scientific advisory committees.

This award recognizes the achievements of PSA members in the early stages of their career in poultry extension. It is given every other year.

Roshan Adhikari

Roshan Adhikari

PSA Early Achievement Award for Industry

CJ America Inc.

Roshan was born and raised on a laying hen family farm in Nepal. He received his veterinary degree from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, and his master's degree in London, UK. After his master's, he worked at the University of Manitoba, Canada, Dept of animal science for 2 years on poultry nutrition, proximate analysis of feed stuffs, nutrigenomics and cell culture lab with Dr Woo Kim. He completed his Ph.D. in Poultry nutrition at the University of Georgia, Department of Poultry Science in 2017.

Currently, he is a product development manager with CJ Bio for North America. In his current role, he is focused on understanding the functional properties and nutritional requirement of amino acids on performance, health and welfare in broilers, breeders, Turkeys, and laying hens. He has been collaborating with industry nutritionists, producers, and university research partners to understand the usage of various limiting feed grade amino acids such as Arginine, Tryptophan, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine in poultry to optimize health, performance and feed cost. Prior to working at CJ Bio, he was a Technical service manager at Kerry North America where he supported the North American poultry and swine customers in the efficient utilization of enzymes and intestinal health additives.

Roshan has published over 25 peer reviewed scientific papers, and presented over 60 abstracts at scientific meetings, webinars and conferences around the world. He is a reviewer of the Journal of Applied Poultry Research, Poultry Science and other scientific journals. He is the first Vice President of the Southern Poultry Science Society. Roshan supports IPSF and PSA meetings serving as a judge and reviewer when needed. He is passionate on serving the poultry industry by mentoring current undergrad and grad poultry science students and supporting farmers/organizations that raise poultry. Roshan’s education and experience around poultry industry in four different countries and three continents has enabled him to have a global perspective of poultry nutrition, disease, and management in different conditions and regions of the world.

This award recognizes the achievements of PSA members in the early stages of their career in the poultry industry. It is given every other year.

Michael Cressman

Michael Cressman

PSA Student Recruitment Award

The Ohio State University

Michael Cressman, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor-Professional Practice in the Department of Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University. Dr. Cressman received his B.S. degree from Penn State University, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from The Ohio State University. In 2015, he accepted a 100% teaching appointment in the OSU Animal Sciences Department; however, in 2019, Dr. Cressman’s reappointment was changed to encompass 75% teaching and 25% Extension responsibilities. Additional responsibilities include undergraduate student advising; undergraduate and graduate student club advising; co-curricular team advising (coaching); undergraduate and graduate student research advising in the areas of applied poultry and meat science; and poultry youth program development in collaboration with Ohio State Extension, 4-H, and FFA faculty and staff members. He works closely with the Ohio Poultry Association and poultry industries within Ohio for strategically positioning the Ohio State Poultry Science program to best serve the poultry industry. Since 2020, Dr. Cressman has served as a course coordinator and co-instructor for the Midwest Poultry Consortium-Center of Excellence (MPC-COE) program. The MPC-COE program provides undergraduate students, from predominantly midwestern land-grant universities, the opportunity to earn 18 (summer) credits hours from a poultry science-based curriculum.

This award recognizes an individual who, through the use of innovative methods, has significantly improved the recruiting program of a respective department, college, or university. This award is given every other year.

Tory Shynkaruk

Tory Shynkaruk

Tyson Foods Inc. Support Personnel Award

University of Saskatchewan

Tory Shynkaruk grew up on a sheep and grain farm in rural Saskatchewan, Canada. She received her BSc in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan in 2014. During her last year of undergrad, she enrolled in poultry production and animal behaviour courses, both taught by Dr. Karen Schwean-Lardner. This is where her interest in poultry, specifically the area of welfare, began. She completed her MSc in Animal Science under the supervision of Dr. Schwean-Lardner in 2017. Her project focused on the impact of dark exposure on broiler feeding behaviour, production, and feed transit time. In late 2016, while finishing her MSc, she began working as a research assistant in Dr. Schwean-Lardner’s Poultry Management and Welfare lab. She has had the opportunity to work with broilers, pullets, laying hens, and turkeys in areas of hatchery practice, lighting, stocking density, euthanasia, and transportation. Some of her regular duties include writing grant proposals, managing research projects, mentoring graduate students, and sharing research results via publications and presentations. Over the last 7 years, she has published 14 journal articles, 3 as first author, 1 book chapter, and 14 conference abstracts. Tory has worked with industry in different capacities including consulting on and performing field trials, compiling literature reviews, and doing on-farm assessments of lighting parameters for producers. She also developed a love of teaching when she was asked to fill in for a sabbatical leave, as a sessional lecturer, for a fourth year Poultry Production class. She continues to serve as a guest lecturer for this class, as well as an introductory Livestock and Poultry class. Outside of work Tory enjoys reading, doing puzzles, running with her dog, and spending time at the lake.

This award acknowledges the contributions by support personnel and to recognize outstanding support of research, extension, or teaching programs in poultry science. This is an annual award.

Steven C. Ricke

Steven C. Ricke

USPOULTRY Distinguished Poultry Industry Career Award

Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Program
Dept. of Animal and Dairy Sciences - University of Wisconsin

Dr. Ricke received his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He became a USDA-ARS postdoctorate in the Microbiology Dept. at North Carolina State University, then joined the Poultry Science Dept.at Texas A&M University as an Assistant Professor in 1992. In 2005 he was appointed the Endowed Chair in Food Safety and Director for the Center for Food Safety at the University of Arkansas. In 2020 he became Director of the new Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Program at the University of Wisconsin. In recognition of his research efforts, he has received several PSA Awards including the National Research Award in 1999, American Egg Board award in 2006, the Evonik Award for Achievement in Poultry Science in 2019 and the National Chicken Council Broiler Research Award in 2020. He was named a PSA Fellow in 2017.

Dr. Ricke has emphasized foodborne Salmonella and Campylobacter ecology from the broiler farm to the processing plant and mechanisms employed by pathogens to survive these highly variable poultry industry environments. His group has used this to devise preharvest and postharvest prevention strategies that better limit survival of these pathogens during poultry and egg production. Dr. Ricke is exploring microbiome and metabolomic approaches to develop a better understanding of the interaction of the gut microbiota with pathogens and to evaluate feed additives. Simultaneously, he is developing the concept of microbiome mapping for broiler processing. The overall outcomes of his research efforts are contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the microbial ecological linkages between live bird production and poultry processing. His program has generated over 400 peer reviewed research publications, and he has given over 200 invited talks.

This award recognizes distinctive, outstanding contributions by an industry leader or leaders based upon a broad, even nonscientific, contribution to the poultry industry.

Student Awards

Milan Sharma

Milan Sharma

Alltech Student Research Manuscript Award

University of Georgia

Milan Sharma was born and raised in Nepal. He graduated from Tribhuvan University with a DVM in 2016. Milan Sharma started his Ph.D. in the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia in 2020, focusing on nutritional strategies to improve the gastrointestinal and skeletal health of laying hens under the mentorship of Dr. Woo Kyun Kim. He obtained his master's degree in Poultry Science from Mississippi State University (2020) under the mentorship of Dr. Pratima Adhikari. His master's research focused on the effect of different housing environments and laying hen strains on performance, eggshell and cloacal microbiology, and skeletal health of laying hens. During his Ph.D. studies, Milan served as the University ambassador of the Poultry Science Association Hatchery for the academic year 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. He is looking forward to working in the egg industry, improving laying hens' performance, health, and welfare.

This award is given to a graduate student for the presentation and publication as senior author of an outstanding research manuscript in Poultry Science® or The Journal of Applied Poultry Research.

Micaela Sinclair-Black

Micaela Sinclair-Black

Maurice Stein Fellowship Award

University of Georgia

Micaela Sinclair-Black is a PhD student at the University of Georgia whose research is currently focused on the physiological regulation of calcium and phosphorus utilization in commercial laying hens during egg development from early through extended production.

Micaela completed her Bachelor’s degree in animal sciences at the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 2017 and was recognized as the Student of the Year by the Animal Feed Manufacturer’s Association, for which she received funding towards graduate education. This allowed her to pursue a Master’s degree in poultry nutrition at the University of Pretoria from 2018 to 2020 under the supervision of Drs. Thobela Nkukwana and Peter Plumstead. During her Master’s degree, Micaela investigated the influence of limestone particle size and phytase on calcium and phosphorus digestibility in commercial laying hens. This project highlighted the impacts that calcium and phosphorus imbalances have in layers, such as osteoporosis, cage layer fatigue, and declining eggshell quality.

While Micaela completed her Master’s degree, she worked as an intern within the Poultry Team at Chemunique Pty Ltd., where she was responsible for sample coordination and reporting for the commercial limestone analysis service. This role motivated her to pursue a Ph.D. in laying hen physiology. Micaela started her Ph.D. in 2020 under the direction of Dr. Laura Ellestad at the University of Georgia, and she hopes that her research will aid in the development of effective solutions to problems facing the laying hen industry.

This award is given to a graduate student whose training and research in applied poultry sciences may lead to improvements in efficiency and profitability of the egg industry; particularly research that has the potential to have a positive financial impact on the egg industry.

2023 Student Competition

Results of the 2023 Student Competition will be displayed here in August 2023. Recipients of Certificates of Excellence and other student awards will be recognized at the PSA Awards Celebration on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 5:30 PM EDT in Philadelphia, PA.

Aviagen Turkeys Communications Award

Hy-Line International Genetics & Genomics Award

Certificate of Excellence Recipients

Emmanuel Alagbe

Emmanuel Alagbe
Purdue University

Annalise Anderson

Annalise Anderson
University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture

Andi Asnayanti

Andi Asnayanti
University of Arkansas

Lance Barrett

Lance Barrett
Georgia Tech Research Institute

Emmillie Boot

Emmillie Boot
North Carolina State University

Joaquin Cabanas-Ojeda

Joaquin Cabanas-Ojeda
North Carolina State University

Ana Fonseca

Ana Fonseca
The Pennsylvania State University

Krysten Fries-Craft

Krysten Fries-Craft
Iowa State University

Catherine Fudge

Catherine Fudge
University of Georgia

Emanuele Goes

Emanuele Goes
University of Alberta

Kari Harding

Kari Harding
North Carolina State University

Jose Rodrigo Hernandez Garcia

Jose Rodrigo Hernandez Garcia
Auburn University

Hong_Grace

Grace Hong
University of Guelph

Ibiwoye_Demilade

Demilade Ibiwoye
North Carolina State University

Jhetam_Sameeha

Sameeha Jhetam
University of Saskatchewan

Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson
University of Arkansas

Hanseo Ko

Hanseo Ko
University of Georgia

Kuan Ling (Kevin) Liu

Kuan Ling (Kevin) Liu
University of Maryland College Park

Justin Lowery

Justin Lowery
North Carolina State University

Allison Milby-Blackledge

Allison Milby-Blackledge
Texas A&M University

Courtney Poholsky

Courtney Poholsky
Penn State University

ElsiAnna Rodewald

ElsiAnna Rodewald
Mississippi State University

Santiago Sasia

Santiago Sasia
Clemson University

Jenna Schober

Jenna Schober
Purdue University

Micaela Sinclair-Black

Micaela Sinclair-Black
University of Georgia

Travis Tabler

Travis Tabler
University of Arkansas

Hudson Thames

Hudson Thames
Mississippi State University

Sasikala Vaddu

Sasikala Vaddu
University of Georgia

Lauren Vaccaro

Lauren Vaccaro
University of Georgia

Jose Vargas

Jose Vargas
Auburn University

Zoie VerBeek

Zoie VerBeek
Iowa State University

Jace Welborn

Jace Welborn
Mississippi State University

Not pictured: Gerhardus Claassen (University of Pretoria)

PSA Scholarships

Camryn Wilder

Camryn Wilder

Diamond V Endowed Undergraduate Poultry Science Scholarship

Texas A&M University

Camryn Wilder is a sophomore Poultry Science major at Texas A&M University. She hopes to one day pursue a career in poultry nutrition research. Camryn is active in the university’s Department of Poultry Science where she is a member of both the Poultry Science Club and the Aggie Poultry Ambassadors. She works as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in a lab that focuses on identifying ways to mitigate the effects of necrotic enteritis through nutrition. Having grown up in Houston, Camryn gained a wealth of knowledge to help students better understand the FFA contest and industry. She applies these skills from high school when she serves as a Poultry Judging Set-Up Assistant. During her time in the FFA, she discovered many opportunities through the poultry industry. After graduation, she intends to pursue her doctorate in Poultry Science with a focus in nutrition to improve the growing demand for sustainability in the world. Outside of her education, she spends her time in multiple Christian organizations where she mentors incoming freshmen and helps them find a community in College Station. She also loves the outdoors and hopes to one day visit all of America’s National Parks! Her passions for the poultry industry, people, and the outdoors are the key motivators for her future. She will use the Diamond V Endowed Undergraduate Poultry Science Scholarship to aid in accomplishing her dreams of working in the poultry industry.

This scholarship awards an undergraduate student studying poultry science. The award is based on academic achievement and service, as well as an interest/knowledge of the role the poultry industry plays in feeding the world’s growing population.

Isabella von Seggern

Isabella von Seggern

Zinpro Corporation’s Undergraduate Poultry Science Scholarship Award

Iowa State University

Isabella von Seggern grew up in Columbia City, Indiana where she was involved in her local 4-H and spent time gaining experience with various species. She showed poultry for 10 years, winning state showman in 2017, and enjoyed spending her time helping younger 4-H members learn how to show and care for their animals. She is currently entering her third year at Iowa State University where she is expecting to graduate in Spring 2024 with honors, a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science, and a minor in Biology. Isabella has been working at the Poultry Physiology Lab since she started school, working with various avian species and learning lab techniques such as DNA isolation and ELISA. Isabella is also the Vice-President of the Poultry Interest Group which works on connecting students with the poultry industry and providing poultry education to the youth. The experience from her classes, work, and internship at Daybreak Foods has led her to an interest in poultry neurobiology and behavior. At the moment, she plans on pursuing a PhD in poultry science so she can learn more about how avians perceive the world and identity ways to improve their management and environment.

The purpose of this scholarship is to promote diversity in the poultry science industry. The $5,000 scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate with an academic interest in the field of poultry science, and who belongs to gender, racial or ethnic groups that have been historically under-represented in the United States. The selected recipient is awarded for scholastic achievement and service and an interest in continuing to learn and promote the role of the poultry industry in feeding the world’s growing population.

Danielle Ratcliffe

Danielle Ratcliffe

Andrew F. Giesen III Poultry Science Foundation Undergraduate Internship Program

University of Alberta
Interned with Maple Leaf Foods

Danielle Ratcliffe conducted her internship with Maple Leaf Foods in Edmonton, AB. In the fall of 2023, she entered her junior year at University of Alberta and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Animal health with a major in food animals. Throughout her education, she has had the opportunity to work with a variety of livestock species and these experiences have only validated her passion for pursuing a career within the food animal industry.

Although Danielle has grown up in a large city most of her life, she has always been interested in agriculture and, more specifically, working with livestock to ensure the quality and safety of the many food products they provide us with. Danielle is interested in pursuing a career as a veterinarian working within the food animal industry or an alternative career in food production with a focus on livestock health and welfare.

This opportunity serves to help fund an undergraduate student's wages during their summer internship. A maximum of $2,500 in contributions by the PSA Foundation is provided to the intern's employer as a reimbursement at the conclusion of the internship.