Dr David Caldwell
Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo

Dr Caldwell has been a poultry science department faculty member for more than 15 years, with both research and teaching roles, with an emphasis on industry outreach, according to the official announcement by Dr Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences, College Station.

“Dr. Caldwell is also an accomplished teacher of both undergraduate and graduate courses,” Hussey said.

“He is an active leader in numerous poultry professional associations, including service as a member of the board of directors of the Poultry Science Association, president elect of the Southern Poultry Science Association and member of the publishing committee for the Poultry Science Association. We are pleased to have him serve as leader of our poultry programs statewide.”

Part of Dr Caldwell’s research efforts have focused on poultry intestinal immunity and disease resistance, applied aspects of food safety microbiology and avian coccidiosis.

“As principal investigator or co-principal investigator, we have received approximately $2.5 million in research funding over the past 15 years, of which $1.4 million was directed to my laboratory,” Caldwell stated.

These research efforts supported eight doctoral and 14 master’s degree students. In addition, Caldwell has served on the graduate advisory committee of another 55 students in his time with the department.

“Teaching has always been a particularly gratifying aspect of my job because of my interactions with so many bright and gifted undergraduate and graduate students,” Caldwell said.

Dr Caldwell noted that the Texas broiler and egg industries contribute approximately $3.9 billion to the state economy.

Dr Caldwell received his bachelor’s degree in poultry science, master’s degree in veterinary microbiology in 1994, and his doctorate in veterinary microbiology in 1997, all from Texas A&M University.