University of Alberta graduate student Thiago Noetzold has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the Aviagen^® Poultry Genetics Scholarship. Aviagen is a longstanding contributor to the Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC), and each year designates a portion of its donation to this scholarship aimed at encouraging future poultry leaders.

Working to strengthen bird welfare, sustainable poultry production

Noetzold is pursuing PhD in Animal Science at the University of Alberta’s Poultry Research Center, Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science department, where he also serves as a Teaching Assistant. A native of Brazil, he holds a Master of Science in Animal Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Medicine from FAI University Centre in Brazil. Based on his master’s research, two of his manuscripts were published in Poultry Science journal.

A panel of Aviagen geneticists selected Noetzold for this scholarship based on the quality of his doctoral research and its potential to benefit the poultry breeding industry. For his PhD, Noetzold is working on an Aviagen-sponsored project using precision feeding technology to find the optimal nutrient balance and growth curve trajectory, with a goal of maximizing biological performance of broiler breeder hens.

“While collaborating closely with Thiago on this project, I am impressed by the excellence of his research skills, as well as his enthusiasm for discovery leading to continuous improvement for our industry,” commented Dr. Bryan Fancher, Aviagen Group Vice President of Global Technical Operations.

“My goal is to promote sustainable poultry production and increase bird health and welfare by helping birds to become more feed efficient,” explained Noetzold. “I am grateful to Aviagen for this scholarship, which will help me further my research and fulfil my passion to work toward continual advancements in precision agriculture to enrich our ability to help feed the world with sustainable and healthy chicken meat.”

Scott Gillingham, Canadian regional business consultant for Aviagen, added, “The sustainability of our industry depends on the creativity and talent of passionate, bright young minds like Thiago. Aviagen is committed to supporting our emerging leaders whose innovation and intelligence will serve to transform the future of our industry. Thiago shares Aviagen’s vision to strengthen social, economic and environmental sustainability through ongoing advancement in bird efficiency and welfare. We congratulate Thiago and wish him all the best for a rewarding career in poultry, and we look forward to the outstanding contributions that he is sure to make.”

“For the past decade, Aviagen and the CPRC have cooperated on research that is vital to the future of the industry in Canada. By teaming up with universities to support students like Thiago, we are helping to sustain the industry and strengthen the ability to feed our communities and those around the world with healthy chicken meat,” concluded Dr. Bruce Roberts, Executive Director of the CPRC.