NC State Poultry Health Management Expert Recipient of National Research Award

The following post is from news release excerpts from the U.S.  Poultry & Egg Association and the U.S. Poultry Foundation.

Dr. James Guy, professor of poultry health management in the Department of Population Health and Pathobiology at NC State University’s  College of Veterinary Medicine,  is the initial recipient of the Dr. Charles Beard Research Excellence Award.

Dr. Beard, the former director of the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory and former vice president of research at U.S. Poultry, presented the namesake award to Dr. Guy at a meeting of the International Poultry Scientific Forum during the Jan. 29-31 International Production & Processing Expo.

The goal of the new Beard Research Excellence Award is “to recognize outstanding completed research projects, funded by U.S. Poultry or the U.S. Poultry Foundation, which have made a significant positive impact on the poultry industry.”

The U.S. Poultry Foundation Research Advisory Committee selected Dr. Guy for the prestigious annual 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 characterized as an adenovirus-like virus (AdLV). The researcher has progressed in his investigation toward developing a vaccine for the disease.

The disease occurs commonly in broiler chickens and is associated with proventricular fragility, impaired growth (‘runting’), poor feed conversion, and impaired feed digestion. Additionally, the disease is responsible for increased processing costs due to greater numbers of reprocessed carcasses, downgrades and condemnations.

“It is a distinct honor to receive this award,” says Dr. Guy. “Dr. Beard has had a distinguished career of service to the U.S. and world poultry industries, and he is an exceptionally nice person. I am thrilled to have my name associated with his.”

Dr. John Glisson, director of research for U.S. Poultry, noted how the CVM professor’s investigation is an example of how  association 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,” says Glisson,  “and it is very fitting to see his work recognized by the Charles Beard Research Excellence Award.”

Dr. Guy received his DVM degree and a PhD in virology from the University of Tennessee in 1980 and 1984 respectively. He joined the NC State CVM faculty  in 1984. Guy is a diplomat of both the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists and the American College of Poultry Veterinarians. In addition to proventriculitis in broiler chickens, his CVM research program has focused on important viral diseases of chickens and turkeys.

Dr. Beard served on the U.S. Poultry  Foundation’s Research Advisory Committee for more than 15 years. In 1993, he joined the US Poultry & Egg Association staff as vice president of research and guided the research program for the next 17 years.

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is an “all-feather” organization representing the complete spectrum of today’s poultry industry, with a focus on progressively serving member companies through research, education, communication, and technical assistance. Founded in 1947, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is based in Tucker, GA.