JBS United announces 2013 John B. Swisher Leadership Award

JBS United has announced that Dr. Philip Dziuk and Dr. Billy Day are the 2013 John B. Swisher Leadership Award winners. This is the first year the award has been presented to two individuals.

JBS United has announced that Dr. Philip Dziuk and Dr. Billy Day are the 2013 John B. Swisher Leadership Award winners. This is the first year the award has been presented to two individuals. Dr. Dziuk and Dr. Day accepted their awards on Wednesday, June 5, at a JBS United event in conjunction with the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa.

The annual John B. Swisher Leadership Award is an honor presented to individuals who exemplify extraordinary leadership qualities and who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the swine industry.

Dziuk was a professor of Animal Science and Reproductive Physiology at the University of Illinois for most of his career. He earned B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Dairy Husbandry from the University of Minnesota. He is known internationally for his research in the areas of Developing Surgical Techniques for Reproductive Physiology Research in Pigs, Embryo Transfer Techniques, the Use of Silicone Rubber Implants for Drug Delivery, the Development of Electroejaculation Techniques and Equipment, Developing Skills and Methods for Pregnancy Diagnosis in the Sow, and much more.

Dziuk has been honored with numerous awards including the American Fertility Society Award for Achievement in Research in Reproduction in Animals, the American Society of Animal Science Award for Research in Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology, the Pioneer Award from the International Embryo Transfer Society, and the Outstanding Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota. He has been an active member of many academic and research organizations, including the Society for the Study of Reproduction, where he was the president and on the board of directors, and the American Society of Animal Science, where he was the Physiology Section chairman. He has also been published many times, including 160 peer reviewed journal articles, 10 book chapters and 103 presentation abstracts.

Day was a distinguished professor in Animal Science at the University of Missouri, where he worked for most of his career. He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Husbandry from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology from Iowa State University. His research interest for over 40 years, which included work in the U.S. and in England, has been directed primarily towards the Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology of Swine. He has investigated mechanisms controlling reproductive cycles, including the Hormonal Maintenance of Corpora Lutea.

Day has conducted on-site farm studies in swine since 1960 in the areas of Artificial Insemination, Synchronization of Estrus and Induced Farrowing. His later laboratory studies were directed toward the Establishment of an Efficient System for In Vitro Production of Swine Embryos, which included improvements in in-vitro fertilization technologies.

Day has a strong record in mentoring students, including serving as the advisor for more than 20 postdoctoral trainees, 23 Ph.D. candidates and 29 M.S. students. His list of service and leadership accomplishments is long and impressive, and includes making major contributions toward the development and growth of the Society for Study of Reproduction and the International Conference on Pig Reproduction. He has published over 250 scientific articles, and he has received numerous awards, including the Animal Physiology Award and the Mormon Awards from ASAS. He has also received Outstanding Alumni Awards from West Virginia University and Iowa State University.

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