Three poultry science graduate students were awarded the Student Certificate of Excellence for Oral Presentation at the Poultry Science Association's 2024 Annual Meeting in July. Faculty members were also recognised for their service to the organisation, according to a recent press release from the university. 

Rebekah Drysdale, a Ph.D. student, presented research about the calcium availability in different types of limestone using digestibility, total tract retention and bioavailability in broilers.

"I am so grateful for the support and encouragement from my adviser, lab tech, other graduate students and my family," Drysdale said. "Winning the award was a goal; I couldn't have done it without these people."

Ben Parsons, Drysdale's adviser and assistant professor of poultry science, supervised her throughout the study.

"I am very proud of Rebekah, and it is exciting to see how much she has grown in such a short time," Parsons said. "She did a phenomenal job with her presentation, and it is nice to see her receive an acknowledgment from people outside of myself to provide her support and motivation to continue moving forward."

Sarah Johnson, a master's student, was recognized for her presentation about the effects of storage time on marination and meat quality of broiler breast.

"We assessed the changes and differences on the protein functionality between marinated and non-marinated fillets over different days of storage with its effects on meat quality," Johnson said.

She credited her experience with the Poultry Science Association for her successful presentation.

"I have continued to grow as a presenter through the Poultry Science Association," Johnson said. "Winning was a moment of validation, recognizing the hard work of my lab and appreciating our research. I am grateful to Dr. Casey Owens, my mentors and my peers for their support."

Casey Owens, Johnson's adviser and professor of poultry science, noted how Johnson's research and communications skills were key to this accomplishment.

"Sarah did an outstanding presentation on storage time following marination and the effects on yield and meat quality," Owens said. "She is detail-oriented in her research and very effective at communicating the study details and outcomes to a scientific audience."

The third student to receive the student certificate of excellence was Tanmaie Kalapala, a Ph.D. student. Her research focused on the application of electron beam technology to reduce foodborne pathogens in ground poultry meat.

"Our results showed that this technology was effective in ensuring food safety while maintaining the quality and sensory attributes of the meat," Kalapala said. "The study's findings have significant implications for the poultry industry, particularly in improving food safety standards."

Kalapala said she was grateful to her supporters and their encouragement.

"Receiving this award was a significant milestone, reflecting the collaborative efforts of my research team and mentors," Kalapala said. "This achievement wouldn't have been possible without my mentors' unwavering support and guidance. Their mentorship has been instrumental in my journey, and I'm happy to share this accomplishment with them."

Tomi Obe, assistant professor of poultry science, and Palmy Jesudhasan, research microbiologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, co-advised Kalapala. Obe, who also has an appointment with the Center for Food Safety in the Food Science Department, said she was excited to see what the future held for Kalapala.

"I am proud of Tanmaie's efforts in her research and sharing her work with an international audience at the Poultry Science Association's Annual Meeting," Obe said. "Her work applies to the poultry industry and can help reduce the incidence of foodborne pathogens that are contaminating poultry products. As she continues her research, I am excited for all the opportunities she will have to share her discoveries."

Jesudhasan also noted Kalapala's promising future.

"This award is a testament to Tanmaie's exceptional abilities and bright future," Jesudhasan said. "Tanmaie's work exemplifies the kind of groundbreaking research we strive for at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service and the University of Arkansas, and I am confident she will continue to make significant contributions to her field."

In addition to the student awards, two poultry science faculty members played significant roles at the Poultry Science Association's Annual Meeting. Mike Kidd, professor of poultry nutrition, delivered the keynote speech at the opening session. Owens served as the meeting's program chair.

David Caldwell, department head of poultry science and director of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, said the students and faculty present at the meeting represented the U of A well.

"The faculty, staff and students of our department and center played a very important role in the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Poultry Science Association," Caldwell said. "It truly was a banner year for our program, and I greatly appreciate the commitment to excellence of all our departmental personnel who participated. Our program, the University of Arkansas and the Division of Agriculture were represented well."

The Center of Excellence for Poultry Science is a unit of the U of A System Division of Agriculture and the U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. The center represents the three land grant mission areas of teaching — carried out through Bumpers College — and research and extension through the Division of Agriculture's Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service.