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Nov. 15, 2004 Volume 29, Issue 16 |
Poultry Science Association's highest honor goes to MSU professor
Poultry science professor J. Paul Thaxton recently is receiving a national professional organization's highest honor.
Thaxton is among three named a Fellow by the Poultry Science Association. The honor recognizes professional distinction and contributions to the field of poultry science.
An Oktibbeha County native, Thaxton earned a bachelor's degree in entomology from Mississippi State in 1964 and a master's in animal physiology from MSU in 1966. He received a doctorate in 1971 in poultry science from the University of Georgia.
In 1970, he joined the faculty at North Carolina State University, leaving in 1985 to enter the business world when he co-founded Embrex Inc. The company was the first commercial system to deliver vaccines and biologics to embryonating eggs. Returning to academia, he joined MSU in 1990 as a professor of poultry science.
Thaxton has written for more than 300 publications, owns 11 patents and has trained 32 graduate students. He is a member of Poultry Science Association, Southern Poultry Science Society, World Poultry Science Association, Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Society of Sigma Xi, and Gamma Sigma Delta.
Among his honors are the Poultry Science Association Research Award in 1974, the Research Award from the NCSU Chapter of Sigma Xi in 1976, Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence from the governor of North Carolina in 1987 and the Faculty Research Award from the Mississippi State Alumni Association in 2001.
The PSA is a professional organization made up of about 3,500 educators, scientists, extension specialists, administrators, and producers who are committed to advancing the poultry industry. Founded in 1908, the PSA has continued to rank as one of the top professional organizations in the field.