Two West Virginia University graduate students earned top honors for their research during a recent poultry conference.

Alina Corey and Angela Lamp, both nutritional and food science students in the WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, joined scientists from around the world last week (Jan. 29-31) in Atlanta, Ga., for the International Poultry Exposition.

With more than 25,000 attendees from more than 100 countries, the expo highlighted the latest technology, equipment and services used in the production and processing of poultry, meat and feed products.

While there, the two students participated in the International Poultry Scientific Forum.

Sponsored by the Southern Poultry Science Society, the Southern Conference on Avian Diseases, and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, the forum provides professionals and students the opportunity to present their research to industry leaders, academic professionals and other young scientists.

Corey, a native of Wheeling, W.Va., won the Graduate Student Paper Award in the Metabolism and Nutrition Section for her research titled “The effect of calcium lignosulfonate, mixer-added fat, and feed form on feed manufacture and 23-42d broiler performance.”

Her work detailed the economic impact of using calcium lignosulfonate – a byproduct from the production of wood pulp – on feed manufacture and broiler performance, information that is crucial during a time of record high ingredient costs and increasing demand for affordable poultry products.

Lamp of Weirton, W.Va., won the Graduate Student Poster Award in the Metabolism and Nutrition Section for her research titled “Feed manufacture technique affects heat transfer to feed that may influence nutritional value.”

Through her research, Lamp demonstrated that techniques commonly used to improve the physical form of feed may be detrimental to nutrient availability due to excessive heat production during processing. Her findings will help poultry nutritionists on a quest to improve both feed form and nutritional availability.

“Similar to most research laboratories, my lab competes with other labs for funding, attracting high quality students, and publication of excellent research,” said Joe Moritz, associate professor of poultry science and Extension specialist. “This culture of competition has motivated these young scientists to work hard and distinguish themselves as extraordinary. I’m very proud of their efforts and accomplishments.”

In addition to presenting their research on a national stage, the students each received a certificate of excellence and a $500 check.

-WVU-

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