Anh Do, a doctoral student in the Cell and Molecular Biology Program in U of A's Graduate School and International Education, won first place in the poster competition at the Arkansas Association for Food Science Protection Conference held late last month.

Do won for his poster focusing on the optimal concentration and timing of administering selected feed additives to broiler chicken's diet to help mitigate and control broiler chickens lameness. Specifically, Do's research focused on how the feed additives can mitigate bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis, a main issue facing the poultry industry today with a tremendous negative impact on poultry welfare and economics.

"I was all amazed, excited and honored to have been selected to receive the award," Do said. "All of my peers who presented at the event did an excellent job as well."

Do moved to the United States in 2009 from Vietnam and became a naturalized citizen. The poster continues Do's research in the Cell and Molecular Biology Program focusing on the intervention and control of bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis through food additives, supplements and other therapeutic measures. He is also exploring the comparison between BCO-resistant and susceptible animals.

Do is conducting his doctoral research in assistant professor Adnan Alrubaye's research laboratory. Alrubaye, associate director of the graduate program in cell and molecular biology, conducts research for the U of A System Division of Agriculture through its research arm, the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.

"Anh's research is of great importance to the poultry industry here in the United States and worldwide," Alrubaye said. "BCO lameness causes hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue annually in the United States and many other countries worldwide because of bird condemnation at the marketing age. Lameness is one of the highest-priority animal welfare issues in the broiler industry."

Do earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from California State University-Fresno.