Dr. Elizabeth BobeckThe Bobeck lab’s work focuses on the interaction of nutrition and the immune system. We use cell culture, ex vivo cells and tissues, and whole animal studies in poultry and mice to answer questions related to bioactive components of feedstuffs. Dr. Bobeck’s projects range from basic digestibility work to immunometabolism, and we continually work to mechanistically link immune system changes to performance, health, welfare, and sustainability within the poultry industry. She additionally collaborates with Dr. Anna Johnson’s lab to promote welfare, sustainability, and productivity in meat birds.
Dr. Dong AhnThe Ahn lab research focus is 1) how to improve or maintain the quality and safety of poultry meat products and 2) separation of functional components from egg yolk and white and add values to the egg components.
Dr. Johnson's poultry research involves collaborating with Dr. Bobeck's lab to focus on broiler chicken well-being through studying novel environmental enrichment methods and validating animal-based behavior and welfare measurements. The aims of projects are to implement enrichment that can increase broiler feed efficiency to decrease feed inputs and maximize production, thereby increasing sustainability, while enhancing the environment of meat-type chickens in order to to promote physical activity and overall animal well-being.
Maro Ibarburu-BlancMaro's lab focuses on the economics of the egg industry, costs of production, and prices and projections of egg production. He provides meaningful marketing and statistical information to the industry in the form of monthly reports including flock and price projections.
Dr. Dawn KoltesDr. Dawn Koltes focuses her research efforts on understanding the underlying effects of environment and genetics on intestinal health, nutrient absorption, and overall energy utilization in broilers, layers, and turkeys. Her current research focuses on factors that impact intestinal tract permeability, intestinal microbial communities and their interaction; how intestinal tract permeability and microbes differ between different housing types in layers; effects of selection pressure for meat or egg production on the intestinal tract; and effects of feed ingredients on performance, intestinal tract permeability, and intestinal microbial communities in broilers, layers, and turkeys.
Dr. Jack DekkersDr. Dekkers focuses on genetics of disease (New Castle Disease) and use of genomics in poultry breeding programs.