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). Avian has supported the CPRC since 2012 and now for the first time a portion of the company’s $US 25,000 donation has been earmarked for the scholarship.
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 applications 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.
“I am 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,” Aviagen said.
“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.
