COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Kolton Witherspoon, Texas A&M College graduate pupil ’23, all the time knew he needed to be part of the agriculture business.
Witherspoon, who studied with the TAMU Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences Division of Poultry Science for his undergraduate diploma, has since returned to pursue graduate research with the affiliate division head for undergraduate schooling, Dr. Giri Athrey.
A former Poultry Science Membership officer, Witherspoon was named one of many school’s senior advantage award winners. The senior advantage awards are the best award given to undergraduates within the school.
“I’ve all the time felt one thing pulling me towards animal agriculture,” Witherspoon mentioned. “I additionally all the time needed to assist individuals, even from a younger age, and I felt the easiest way for me to do that was via working with animals.”
Witherspoon’s formidable perspective in the direction of finding out avian genetics developed over time, and this summer time it led to an abroad internship with Aviagen Genetics in Scotland.
He lately sat down with TAMU AgriLife to debate his expertise throughout the internship, his educational journey and recommendation for present college students.
The next is a Q&A with Witherspoon:
· Why did you select to review poultry science at Texas A&M?
I selected to attend Texas A&M College as a result of status of the veterinary program. I made a decision to pursue poultry science with a technical emphasis as a pre-veterinary route as a result of excessive variety of veterinary stipulations out there within the diploma plan. Nonetheless, from the second I entered the division, I knew I needed to be part of the poultry business indirectly.
I felt God introduced me to the faculty to be part of one thing larger. My plan was to be a poultry veterinarian till I discovered my true ardour for genetics. Lengthy story brief, I really feel like God instilled in me a need to assist individuals to one of the best of my talents. That impressed me to work to get to a spot the place serving to others was potential inside the poultry science division.
That path led me to genetics, and I now have the chance to search out options to make sure the world has a sustainable protein supply. The truth that I benefit from the problem and ingenuity of the genetics area makes it that a lot sweeter.
· Inform us about your internship with Aviagen Genetics and the way your educational experiences helped put together you for it.
I discovered quite a bit about my cultural origins and the workings of an organization the place I felt I might probably work. Scotland is a wonderful place with a extremely welcoming ambiance.
I used to be surprised by how a lot individuals needed Collin, an intern from Auburn, Ala., and me to expertise the whole lot and got here up with so many concepts for us whereas in several components of Scotland. The networking alternatives had been astounding, and I really feel like I made some life-long friendships.
Workwise, I used to be astounded by how effectively my education on the college ready me for this broad internship. I used to be capable of view most sides of their operations within the UK, and already being educated of operations and the interior workings of the business allowed me to ask extra questions in regards to the firm and its administration.
From my perspective this summer time, I might see how very important persons are to an organization’s efficiency. I by no means thought I’d study this a lot about individuals and easy methods to encourage a staff with varied backgrounds towards an identical purpose. The curriculum inside the division that I acquired allowed me to know the strategies of adequately managing poultry, making certain the security of birds from hatch to desk.
My biomedical sciences and genetics coursework additionally allowed me to know the corporate’s workings higher. One in every of my favourite highlights was our alternative to go to Aviagen’s bacteriology, virology and genomics labs.
I really felt ready and educated speaking with individuals in these departments, and I loved choosing their brains. Seeing Aviagen’s measures in offering a secure life for his or her birds and the way they supply disease-free chickens for his or her prospects to lift was comforting.
In my view, agriculture is actually blessed to have the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences and its capability to organize individuals for the roles that influence the safety of our world.
· What made you wish to return to review avian genetics?
As a highschool pupil, I had attended the division’s camp for potential college students. On the Poultry Institute for Youth, I first encountered Dr. Giri Athrey and was intrigued by his presentation.
As my curiosity within the avian medical area grew, I grew to become extra thinking about probably becoming a member of his lab group. My freshman yr was after I made a slight shift to attempt to change into a poultry veterinarian, although there was nonetheless a sense I used to be being pushed in a unique path.
Round my junior yr, I talked with my now major investigator in my grasp’s program, Dr. Athrey, about my wanting to affix his lab as an undergrad. We talked about my present pursuits and future plans. I advised him about my rising ardour for the genetics facet of poultry.
He patiently listened via my spiel about eager to change into a vet, and he mentioned one thing that I consider typically because the second God used as a wake-up name to what was proper in entrance of me. He mentioned, “You do know you should not have to change into a veterinarian to do genetics, proper?”
All the pieces clicked then. My path grew to become clear. The identical day, I made a decision to work towards a doctorate in genetics, and I felt Dr. Athrey was the one who might make this occur.
· What are your targets for the long run upon getting accomplished your research right here?
I take pleasure in discovering options to issues that may influence poultry and have potential implications for different species and even human well being.
I really feel that Dr. Athrey’s lab group is the proper place to discover this. There’s potential for the work being achieved via my Ph.D. challenge to result in a profession.
Individually, I benefit from the intricacies of lab work and seeing the outcomes of my work. I’m not afraid to get my fingers soiled, so I can see myself in a genetics or microbiology analysis and development-type setting in poultry. Someday, I hope to return to academia to affect the subsequent era of poultry scientists and agriculturalists.
· What recommendation would you give present poultry science college students thinking about an identical profession?
Individuals want to search out pleasure in what they do. I really feel that’s very important for everybody. Being in a job or work atmosphere that you just don’t like will be taxing.
Genetics isn’t for everybody, identical to welding on a deep-sea oil rig isn’t for everyone. Working and following that feeling will take you to locations you’ve by no means dreamed you could possibly go — and the place you are supposed to be.
In the event you discover your assist system, you possibly can elevate your self to the place you are supposed to be. I used to be fortunate to search out one thing I take pleasure in. Sure, it’s traumatic, and I’ve a busy schedule, however I take pleasure in working with lab gear, completely different biotechnologies and dealing towards making a distinction for the world and the individuals in it.
The best factor I can be grateful for with my upbringing in a non-agricultural background is the character and work ethic my household and Christ instilled in me. Your initiative and character are what individuals see and might get behind when the time for a payoff does come round. I attempt to carry pleasure with me daily.
The Division of Poultry Science is wonderful for creating each these beliefs of discovering pleasure and delight in your work, together with “constructing your model” within the minds of their college students.
· What do you love to do when you find yourself not busy with graduate research?
I take pleasure in spending high quality time with my family and friends doing varied actions. I grew up fishing, taking part in baseball and soccer, so I take pleasure in these in my off time. I additionally take pleasure in climbing, particularly after my internship expertise.
Being an Aggie, I take pleasure in supporting Texas A&M athletics after I can. It’s good to savor the issues I take pleasure in when I’ve free time.
