Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young and Dr. Temple Grandin will headline the Atlanta summit; University of Saskatchewan researcher Domenica Medina receives the 2026 IPWA Student Award of Excellence

The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs (U.S.-RSPE) and the International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA) have announced the keynote speakers and student award winner who will be featured at the 2026 Poultry Sustainability & Welfare Summit, taking place September 21–23 at the Loews Atlanta Hotel. The biennial summit brings together leaders from across the poultry and egg value chain, academia, government, civil society and allied industries to examine emerging challenges and identify practical, science-based opportunities to advance poultry sustainability and welfare.

Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young will deliver the summit’s Sustainability Keynote. Jacobs-Young previously served as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics and as USDA’s Chief Scientist. Confirmed by the U.S. Senate, she led a research enterprise spanning five national science agencies and helped shape strategies addressing agricultural innovation, food and nutrition security, climate resilience and global scientific collaboration.

The Welfare Keynote Session will feature a recorded conversation sponsored by American Humane with Dr. Temple Grandin, professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University and one of the world’s most influential authorities on animal behavior, handling and welfare. Grandin’s pioneering research, facility designs and practical approaches to welfare assessment have contributed to significant improvements in the care and handling of farm animals around the world.

“Bringing together Dr. Jacobs-Young, Dr. Grandin and the next generation of poultry researchers reflects exactly what this summit is designed to accomplish,” said Andy Vance, executive director of U.S.-RSPE and IPWA. “Meaningful progress requires visionary leadership, credible science and practical collaboration across the full poultry value chain. These speakers will challenge attendees to consider both the progress already achieved and the opportunities still ahead of us.”

Domenica Medina named 2026 IPWA Student Award of Excellence winner

IPWA also announced that Domenica Medina, a researcher in the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources, has been selected as the winner of the 2026 IPWA Student Award of Excellence.

Medina received the award for her research:

“Illuminating Poultry Science: Light Wavelength Effects on the Production and Health of Nicholas Select Beak-Treated and Non-Beak-Treated Turkey Hens Reared to 11 Weeks.”

The IPWA Student Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding student research that advances poultry welfare knowledge, practices or outcomes. Submissions were evaluated for their relevance to poultry welfare, scientific merit, clarity, organization and presentation quality.

Medina will be recognized during the summit and will present her research as part of the student award program.

“Supporting emerging researchers is essential to the future of poultry welfare,” Vance said. “Domenica’s work demonstrates the value of examining management decisions through measurable bird health, welfare and production outcomes. We are pleased to recognize her achievement and provide a platform for her research at the summit.”

About the Summit

The 2026 Poultry Sustainability & Welfare Summit begins September 21 with an industry site visit and opening reception. Sustainability-focused programming will take place September 22, followed by poultry-welfare programming on September 23.

In addition to the keynote sessions and student research recognition, the program will include executive leadership discussions, scientific presentations, cross-sector panels, emerging technology sessions, interactive conversations and networking opportunities.

Attendees may earn up to 12 continuing education credit hours certified by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization. In-person registration is open to members and nonmembers, and a virtual attendance option is available to members.

For the complete program, registration information, hotel details and sponsorship opportunities, visit:

https://poultrywelfare.org/Membership/About_Membership_Join

About U.S.-RSPE

The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs is a multistakeholder organization working across the U.S. chicken, turkey and egg value chains to advance sustainability through collaboration, continuous improvement and credible measurement. U.S.-RSPE provides a neutral forum where poultry-sector stakeholders can identify shared priorities, develop practical resources and support measurable progress for people, planet and poultry.

About IPWA

The International Poultry Welfare Alliance is an independent, global, multistakeholder organization committed to continuously advancing poultry welfare. IPWA fosters open dialogue, shares practical resources and best practices, and supports science-based research and innovation that improve poultry welfare in socially, environmentally and economically viable ways.

Source: IPWA and US-RSPE press release