AFIA Honors Animal Scientists with Nutrition Research Awards

July 23, 2020

Contact Lacie Dotterweich, Communications Coordinator

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) honored two individuals in the animal science field this week at the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS)–Canadian Society of Animal Science–Western Section ASAS virtual annual meeting and tradeshow. Martin Nyachoti, Ph.D., of the University of Manitoba (U of M), received the AFIA-ASAS Non-Ruminant Animal Nutrition Research Award, and Terry Engle, Ph.D., of Colorado State University (CSU), received the AFIA-ASAS Ruminant Animal Nutrition Research Award.

“Drs. Nyachoti and Engle have undoubtedly advanced the livestock industry, both with their research programs and by mentoring young industry leaders,” said Paul Davis, Ph.D., AFIA’s director of quality, animal food safety and education. “AFIA is honored to present them with these awards.”

Non-Ruminant Animal Nutrition Research Award

Nyachoti, professor and director of the T. K. Cheung Centre for Animal Science Research at U of M, is known for his internationally recognized research program emphasizing the nutritional characterization of feed ingredients and nutrition and gut health interactions to advance productivity, profitability and sustainability of the livestock industry. His research focuses on improved dietary energy and nutrient utilization, gut health and function, and environmental impact mitigation.

A professor of animal science, Nyachoti currently advises four masters and three Ph.D. students, directs one research associate and has advised an additional 37 graduate students, eight post-doctoral fellows and seven research associates since joining U of M in 2000.

He has authored or co-authored over 250 papers in peer-reviewed journals and earns more than 1,000 citations per year. He has made over 125 conference presentations and given 87 invited presentations in 16 countries. In 2013, Nyachoti received the Canadian Society of Animal Science Award for Excellence in Nutrition and Meat Sciences.

Ruminant Animal Nutrition Research Award

Engle is a professor in CSU’s Department of Animal Sciences. His research program focuses on the role of trace minerals in lipid metabolism and absorption and transport mechanisms associated with trace mineral homeostasis in ruminants.

He has graduated 22 masters and 10 Ph.D. students, is responsible for more than $8.1 million of funding as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator and has published over 130 peer review publications and several book chapters. He has given numerous invited presentations domestically and internationally and has served as a member of national, regional, college and departmental committees.

Engle puts the training and education of his graduate students first and graduates from his research program are working in academia and private sectors throughout animal agriculture.

Editorial note: To obtain a file of the photos, contact Lacie Dotterweich, AFIA's communications coordinator