Dr. Janet Fulton retires following 28 years at Hy-Line
Dr. Janet Fulton founder and director of the Hy-Line Molecular Genetics Laboratory
13 August 2024
2 minute read
By: On 30 June 2024, Dr. Janet Fulton retired as Director of the Hy-Line Molecular Genetics Laboratory, which she founded and directed for 28 years. The laboratory was the fulfillment of the vision by the Research and Development director at the time of Janet’s hiring, Dr. James Arthur.
The lab was a bold step forward as the first in-house molecular genetics laboratory within the primary poultry breeding industry, with the goal of bringing the tools and technologies of molecular genetics into the Hy-Line breeding program. During the past 28 years, under the direction of Dr. Fulton, Hy-Line has defined their genetic stocks at the DNA level, identified unique genetic variation within the stocks, initiated markerassisted selection, and developed SNP chips for application of genomic selection in elite breeding stocks.
These technologies have had a direct impact on the improved performance of commercial egg laying varieties. Dr. Fulton’s goals have been to understand the genetic variation present in elite stocks, develop rapid and inexpensive methods to define this variation and subsequently develop practical application of this information.
Today, Hy-Line geneticists are gaining 4 additional hen-housed eggs and improving feed efficiency, reducing feed by 5 grams per dozen eggs produced on average annually through production cycles extending to beyond 90 weeks of age. Hy-Line’s genomics laboratory has played a key role in this improvement and will drive continued improvement into the future.
In addition to the work Dr. Fulton has accomplished with improving Hy-Line’s varieties, her work has yielded tangible benefits to the overall egg industry and academia. Dr. Fulton has authored or co-authored more than 110 peer-reviewed publications and four book chapters. She has been actively involved with multiple USDA Stakeholders meetings, the USA National Poultry Improvement Plan, Poultry Breeders Roundtable, ADOL Poultry Industry Coalition, and the Poultry Science Foundation, and has provided industry-relevant mentoring to both undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Fulton was the recipient of the Poultry Science Association (PSA) Distinguished Poultry Industry Award in 2016 and this year, she received the PSA’s highest honor as a Fellow for her outstanding contributions and service to the field of poultry science.
