Canadian student Midian Nascimento Dos Santos has been named as the first recipient of the Aviagen Poultry Genetics Scholarship. The scholarship is part of Aviagen’s contribution to the Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC). Aviagen has supported the CPRC since 2012, and now for the first time a portion of the company’s $25,000 (U.S. dollar) donation has been earmarked for the scholarship.
Aspiring to improve health, welfare and sustainability Dos Santos is a 2014 graduate of the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, and in 2017 she earned her Master’s in Poultry Science at Mississippi State University. She will apply the $5,000 scholarship award toward expenses for her current doctoral study in Poultry Behavior and Welfare at the University of Guelph in Canada.
A panel of Aviagen geneticists selected Dos Santos from multiple applicants due to the importance of her graduate research to the poultry sector. During her current doctoral project, she has been evaluating and comparing the health of different genotypes of broiler chickens. Her goal is to improve the welfare of birds, while furthering the sustainability of poultry production.
She explains that she intends for her study results to lead to scientific-based recommendations on better genetic selection and management strategies in broiler production. “I’m very honored and grateful to be the recipient of the Aviagen/CPRC post-graduate scholarship. The opportunity and financial support provided through this scholarship inspires me to pursue my career as a poultry researcher, in order to provide the industry with valuable information to promote animal welfare, health and sustainability.”
“Aviagen is committed to the education of future poultry industry professionals. Poultry offers a host of exciting career opportunities, and we hope to encourage and support students whose creativity and talent will someday greatly benefit the industry,” commented Scott Gillingham, Canadian regional business consultant for Aviagen. “Midian was chosen from a very strong group of applicants. However, her research and goals closely align with those of Aviagen, namely, to help feed the world’s growing population with a nutritious and sustainable source of protein through continuous improvements in the breeding program, while continually advancing bird health and welfare. We wish her every success in her studies and future endeavors.”
