The University of Kentucky Graduate Program in Animal and Food Sciences provides opportunities for advanced study in the discipline of animal sciences. The aim of the program is to develop animal science specialists who are able to function in a variety of sophisticated academic, industrial, and professional settings. Specific degree requirements are determined through individual consultation with a faculty advisor (M.S.) an advisor and a special committee (Ph.D.). Research work in broad areas of nutrition and management and reproductive physiology may be conducted.

Poultry Research Faculty

• Dr. Tayo Adedokun

Current graduate students

Doctorate

• Richard Adefioye
• Hansol Kim
• Sammad Olayiwola

Masters

• Julius Alabi
• Elizabeth Meza Robinson

Past graduate students

• Megan Bauer. 2023. The effect of exogenous enzyme supplementation on the performance, bone quality, and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens (M.Sc.)
• Adefioye, Richard. 2021. The Effect of Oil Type, Oil Quality, Vitamin E, and Phytase Supplementation on Broiler Performance, Apparent Nutrient and Energy Utilization, and the Fatty Acid Profile of Fat and Liver in Broiler Chickens (M.Sc.)
• Brunnquell, John R. 2020. Optimizing animal welfare in commercial laying hens through novel management practices and farm manager evaluation (Ph.D.)
• Burden, Yemi O. 2020. The role of feed additives in mitigating the effect of stressors on growth, digestibility, intestinal morphology, permeability, and immune response in poultry (Ph.D.)
• Dunaway, Andrew E. 2019. Metabolizable energy determination in broiler chickens. (M.Sc.)
• Nolan, Lauren Wood. 2019. Evaluation of current and emerging techniques for measuring eggshell integrity of the domestic fowl (Ph.D.)
• Paul, Marqisha A. 2019. Microalgae and zinc source supplementation of broiler breeder diets affect broiler breeder skeletal development and reproduction with transgenerational impacts on offspring performance and skeletal characteristics (Ph.D.)
• Bryson, Brian L. 2018. Effect of exogenous enzymes on apparent metabolizable energy value of barley in swine and broiler chickens (M.Sc.)
• Fisher, Tatijana. 2015. Specialty poultry production: Impact of genotype, feed strategies, alternative feedstuffs, and dietary enzymes on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of heritage breed chickens (Ph.D.)
• Manon, Alfredo. 2015. Interaction of dietary supplements of organic trace minerals and phytase on growth performance and mineral metabolism of replacement pullets (M.Sc.)
• Good, Lindsay. 2013. The effects of Actigen and threonine supplementation on growth parameters, immune function, and intestinal health in monogastrics (M.Sc.)
• van Benschoten, Megan D. 2013. Effects of a proprietary mix on productive performance and egg quality of white and brown egg laying hens fed diets high in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) (M.Sc.)
• Delles, Rebecca. 2013. Dietary antioxidant supplementation (Economase-Bioplex) to alleviate adverse impacts of oxidized oil on broiler meat quality: A chemical, textural, enzymatic, and proteomic study (Ph.D.)
• Quant, Anthony D. 2012. Evaluating the effects of maternal and progeny dietary supplementation of selenium yeast and vitamin E on the performance of broiler-breeder hens and performance and meat quality of progeny (Ph.D.)
• Macalintal, Lizza M. 2012. In ovo selenium (Se) injection of incubating chicken eggs: Effects on embryo viability, tissue Se concentration, lipid peroxidation, immune response and post hatch development (Ph.D.)
• Ao, Tuoying. 2005. Exogenous enzymes and organic acids in the nutrition of broiler chicks: Effects on growth performance and in vitro and in vivo digestion (Ph.D.)
• Xavier, Eduardo. 2003. Effects of phytase in diets containing low-phytate corn and soybean meal on performance, bone traits, and phosphorus excretion of pigs and chicks (Ph.D.)
• Parton, Neil. 2001. Organic selenium in the nutrition of laying hens; effects on egg selenium content, egg quality, and transfer to developing chick embryo. (Ph.D.)
• Traylor, Steven. 2000. Assessment of nutrient bioavailability in meat and bone meal for pigs and chicks (Ph.D.)
• Pierce, James. 1999. Nutritional assessment of conventional and low phytic acid corn for pigs and chicks (Ph.D.)
• Eyigor, Aysegul. 1998. Detection and analysis of cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) genes in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates by a polymerase chain reaction and determination of the prevalence of CDT genes and CDT activity in campylobacters isolated from chicken carcasses (Ph.D.)
• Collins, Victoria. 1997. Use of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) in poultry diets: Effect on performance and meat and egg fatty acid composition (Ph.D.)
• Mello, Indaue. 1997. The effect of high oil and high protein varieties of corn on growth performance, carcass yield, and fatty acid composition of broiler chickens (MSc)
• Turner, Maquel. Functionality differences between red and white chicken muscle fibers (MSc)
• Spring, Peter. 1996. Effects of mannan oligosaccharide on different cecal parameters and on cecal concentrations of enteric pathogens in poultry (Joint degree program with Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich)(Ph.D.)
• Gang, L. 1995. Gelatin of myofibrillar proteins isolated from chicken red and white muscles under antioxidative conditions (MSc)