Dr. Darrin Karcher, associate professor of Animal Sciences at Purdue University, has been honored with the prestigious Dr. Charles Beard Research Excellence Award by USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation. The award recognizes Dr. Karcher's outstanding contributions to research in nutrition, management and skeletal issues in commercial layers.
Selected by the USPOULTRY Foundation Research Advisory Committee (FRAC), Dr. Karcher has been a principal investigator for five USPOULTRY funded projects, showcasing his dedication to addressing key concerns in laying hen management, bird welfare and food safety. His research has significantly advanced technological developments in these areas, earning him recognition for his impact on the layer industry.
Dr. Denise Heard, vice president of research programs at USPOULTRY, highlighted Dr. Karcher's exceptional work, stating, "His research has provided a wealth of knowledge for the layer industry and has led to many technological advancements in those areas."
Dr. Karcher, holding a B.S. from The Ohio State University, an M.S. in animal science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a Ph.D. in animal science from Purdue University, has also made significant contributions through his extension program, benefiting poultry production on various scales.
The Dr. Charles Beard Research Excellence Award aims to acknowledge completed research projects funded by USPOULTRY or the USPOULTRY Foundation that positively impact the poultry industry. As the recipient, Dr. Karcher received a $1,500 cash prize, presented to him by Bill Griffith, treasurer for the USPOULTRY board of directors, during the USPOULTRY chair’s reception at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).
