Pictured: Ampai Nangsuay, Anne Pennings, Eddy van Lierde. Anne was recognized at the 2024 Incubation and Fertility Research Group meeting in Türkiye.
EDINBURGH, Scotland. — Aviagen® is pleased to congratulate Anne Pennings, the recipient of the 2024 Nick French Prize, awarded at the 49th Incubation and Fertility Research Group (IFRG) meeting, held Oct. 3-4 in Antalya, Türkiye. Anne, a PhD candidate at Wageningen University and Researcher at HatchTech Incubation Technology in the Netherlands, earned recognition for her outstanding research presentation on “Morphological embryo development during warming of broiler eggs, from storage to incubation temperature.” Her work explores how different pre-warming profiles influence embryo development and incubation outcomes, showcasing her dedication to improving poultry science.
Collaborating for the future of the poultry sector
This annual award highlights the close collaboration between Aviagen and IFRG and their shared commitment to driving progress in the global poultry industry through cutting-edge research and innovation.
Honoring a passionate poultry leader
The Nick French Prize, established by Aviagen in 2019, honors Nick French, the company’s retired Global Head of Tech Transfer, and his passion for nurturing the next generation of poultry scientists. The award comes with €500 to support the recipient’s continued research and career development in poultry science. Each year, it is presented to a student under the age of 32 at the IFRG meeting, celebrating the industry’s future leaders.
“I’m honored to receive this award,” said Anne. “It was an incredible experience to participate in this year’s IFRG conference. Not only did I get to share my research, but I also had the privilege of chairing a session and connecting with passionate poultry professionals.”
Celebrating the future of the poultry sector
“We are proud to congratulate Anne on her exceptional research and achievements,” said IFRG President Ampai Nangsuay. “Her work, along with the contributions of all our presenters, reflects the bright future of our sector. Their commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation in incubation and fertility is truly inspiring.”
Eddy van Lierde, Aviagen’s Head of Global Incubation Services and a panelist at the IFRG meeting, also praised Anne’s research. “Temperature is a key factor in embryo development and future chick quality. Anne’s research addresses this crucial aspect, and we’re excited to see her continued contributions to improving bird health and welfare in the poultry sector.”