The award is named for Dr Charles Beard, former director of the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory and former vice president of research at USPoultry.

The USPoultry Foundation Research Advisory Committee selected Dr Guy for this prestigious award based on his exceptional work on infectious proventriculitis of broilers, a disease which causes inflammation and swelling of the proventriculus (stomach), resulting in poor growth and difficulties in processing. During the course of his research, Dr Guy discovered the disease was caused by a new virus, which he characterised and named. Dr Guy has progressed in his research toward developing a vaccine for the disease.

"It is a distinct honour to receive the Dr Charles Beard Award. Dr Beard has had a distinguished career of service to the US and world poultry industries, and he is an exceptionally nice person. I am thrilled to have my name associated with his," commented Dr Guy.

"Dr Guy's research is a great example of how USPoultry research funds can be directed to understanding and solving an important problem for the poultry industry. The quality of Dr Guy's research is outstanding, and it is very fitting to see his work recognised by the Dr Charles Beard Research Excellence Award," remarked Dr Glisson, director of research programs for USPoultry.

Dr Guy received his DVM degree from the University of Tennessee in 1980 and a PhD in virology from the University of Tennessee in 1984. He joined the faculty of North Carolina State University in 1984. He is a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists and a diplomat of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians. His research program has focused on important viral diseases of chickens and turkeys.

The goal of the new Dr Charles Beard Research Excellence Award is to recognise outstanding completed research projects, funded by USPoultry or the USPoultry Foundation, which have made a significant positive impact on the poultry industry. As the first recipient of the award, Dr Guy received a $1,500 cash prize, as well as transportation and two nights' accommodations to the International Production & Processing Expo.

The award was presented to him during the International Poultry Scientific Forum meeting by Dr Beard and Dr John Smith of Fieldale Farms Corporation, and chairman of the Foundation Research Advisory Committee.