On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the University of Tennessee’s Department of Animal Science held its annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet, hosted in collaboration with the UT Pre-Veterinary Association. The event celebrated the accomplishments of students and faculty across the department and highlighted their contributions to research, education, and service.
We are proud to share that three graduate students from the Precision Poultry Management Group—Jie Wu, Tanner Alan Thornton, and Manita Kafle—were selected as recipients of the esteemed Dr. Ollia E. and Wilma Goff Graduate Student Award. This award honors the legacy of Dr. Ollia E. Goff and is presented annually to trustworthy and dedicated graduate students in Animal Science, with preference given to those conducting poultry-related research.
Left to right: Jie Wu, Tanner Alan Thornton, Manita Kafle
In addition to our student recognitions, we are also pleased to share that Dr. Yang Zhao, faculty mentor of the Precision Poultry Management Group, was awarded the 2024–2025 Cohort of the Office of Research, Impact & Economic Development (ORIED)’s Expanding Horizons Program Award. This prestigious honor is presented to faculty who demonstrate exceptional potential in research leadership and are committed to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding the impact of their scholarly work.
Faculty and honorees at the 2025 UT Animal Science Scholarship and Awards Banquet. Dr. Yang Zhao (sixth from left).
Congratulations to all award recipients for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the field of animal science. We are proud to celebrate their dedication, excellence, and continued impact.
