Supporting aspiring researchers and leaders in the chicken meat industry

Empowering and nurturing the next generation of leaders in the chicken meat industry, the prestigious Gary Sansom Scholarship program offers financial assistance and industry support to students eager to make their mark in the field, providing them with the resources they need to forge a promising career.

Funded by the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program and supported by industry, the scholarship aims to attract new talent to the industry and develop leadership skills and capabilities among the research community.

Named in honour of Gary Sansom, a respected figure in the chicken meat industry and former AgriFutures Chicken Meat Advisory Panel Chair, the scholarship embodies his vision for the industry. Gary was a strong advocate for programs that encouraged new people to work in the chicken meat industry, and he championed communication and training initiatives across the field.

AgriFutures Australia Senior Manager Levied Industries – Chicken Meat, Amanda Olthof believes that investing in the next generation of leaders is crucial for the success of the chicken meat industry.

“The success of the industry hinges on the dedication and passion of its people,” she said.

“By investing in the next generation of leaders, we can bridge the gap between industry demands and available talent, ensuring a bright and prosperous future for the industry.”

Scholarship recipients receive up to $35,000 in funding to support their research. Additionally, they are assigned an industry mentor to provide guidance and support for their studies and career pathways, and they have the opportunity to attend poultry industry events, to network and learn from industry experts.

Exploring the relationship between sleep cycles and embryo development

Caleb Wellard, a PhD student at Deakin University and the 2023 recipient of the Gary Sansom Scholarship, is making groundbreaking discoveries in the field of poultry research. His research is unravelling the intricate relationship between cyclic light patterns during incubation and the development of vital circadian rhythms in broiler embryos.

“An important part of my research is trying to reduce the hatch window of chicks,” Caleb said.

“Typically, broiler eggs are incubated and hatched in darkness, which considerably extends the hatch window.”

“Embryos from other egg-laying animals are known to time their hatching in relation to cyclic light patterns. If birds have this ability, we may be able to increase the synchronicity of hatching and reduce the amount of time chicks may have to wait for access to feed and water.”

But the industry application doesn’t stop there. Caleb is also investigating the potential effects of light during incubation on gene expression and metabolism in the egg, as well as post-hatch growth. The conditions during incubation play a significant role in shaping the development of chicks, with long-lasting consequences after they hatch. By introducing cyclic light patterns to replicate natural light cycles, it may be possible to enhance embryonic development and produce healthier and happier chicks.

“While we’re still in the process of analysing the data, our preliminary findings suggest that cyclic light patterns have an impact on chick development in the egg, but they may not affect post-hatch growth,” Caleb explained.

Scholarship provides invaluable opportunities and support

Having experienced the benefits of the scholarship firsthand, Caleb strongly encourages others to apply. Through this program, he has had the opportunity to attend industry conferences, connect with experts in the field, and expand his professional network within the chicken meat industry.

Initially uncertain about how to navigate his career path in the industry, Caleb found that the scholarship provided the ideal avenue to receive guidance and support, allowing him to forge meaningful connections and open doors.

“I will be forever grateful to AgriFutures and my industry mentors for their support and opportunities that have been presented to me through the scholarship program,” Caleb said.

“It has been fantastic to be able to attend different events, meet new people and learn about other people’s research.”

“I’ve had so many stimulating conversations about my research, that have allowed me to reflect on how I can enhance its industry relevance. The opportunities presented have been invaluable and enabled me to experience and interact with people across the poultry industry that I may not have otherwise had the chance to meet and learn from.”

The next scholarship round will open in November 2024.

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