Adnan Alrubaye, assistant professor of poultry science in U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and associate director of the graduate program in cell and molecular biology, was a featured presenter at the 2025 Emerald Coast Veterinary Conference's Poultry Session.

His presentation was "Etiology, Pathogenesis and Advances in the Mitigation of Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis (BCO) in Broiler Chickens."

"I was honored to be invited to speak at this conference," Alrubaye said. "Addressing BCO lameness in broiler chickens is essential to advancing both animal welfare and food safety, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to share current research and strategies with leading veterinary professionals. BCO remains one of the most pressing welfare and production challenges in the poultry industry."

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO), his research area, is a significant cause of lameness in broiler chickens, leading to substantial economic losses and welfare concerns in poultry production. BCO is characterized by bacterial infection in the growth plates of long bones, particularly the femur and tibia, resulting in necrosis and impaired mobility.

"My presentation focused on the latest findings in its etiology and pathogenesis, as well as promising mitigation approaches that can make a real impact at the farm level," Alrubaye said. "Conferences like this one provide an invaluable platform for scientific collaboration. By sharing data and discussing emerging solutions, we move closer to controlling BCO and improving outcomes for producers and birds alike. Continued research and education are critical to overcoming animal health challenges such as BCO. I appreciate the Emerald Coast Veterinary Conference for recognizing the importance of this issue and creating a space for meaningful exchange among professionals."

The conference was held in May at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida. The ECVC is a continuing education event for veterinarians, technicians and other industry personnel.

Alrubaye teaches classes in Bumpers College's Department of Poultry Science and in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Alrubaye was born and raised in the South region of Iraq and completed his bachelor's degree in veterinary medicine from the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, in 2000. He earned master's degrees in medical microbiology from the College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, and in science education along with a doctoral degree in cell and molecular biology from the U of A.

---

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.