2024 Early Career Research Award winners announced

For the first time, the 2024 Early Career Research Award (ECRA) will benefit two researchers, Drs. Ataharul Chowdhury and Sam Workenhe.

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The Early Career Research Award is designed to acknowledge the value of livestock research being conducted by young researchers on behalf of the livestock industry, said Deborah Whale, Grand River Agricultural Society’s first vice president and project review committee member. “It is a combined initiative by both LRIC and industry working together to encourage research results that will not only benefit production, animal health, and nutrition, but will also be disseminated widely to anyone who will use the results.”

“They represent the very best of those doing excellent research on behalf of the Canadian livestock sector,” said Whale. “Where constant improvement is the norm and indeed is necessary to maintain sustainability and competitiveness.”

The third annual ECRA, announced at the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation’s (LRIC) annual symposium in Elora June 20, saw a $40,000 increase in funding to $110,000 thanks to the ongoing financial support from LRIC, Grand River Agricultural Society, Western Fair Association, Ontario Agricultural College and the Ontario Veterinary College. 

Dr. Chowdhury’s $70,000 will advance his research on the emerging role of generative AI in Getting Research into Practice (GRIP) and the awareness, collaboration and knowledge mobilization of innovative ideas related to livestock, agri-food and climate change misinformation. Chowdhury will present the outcomes of his livestock research information in actionable platform formats, including videos, plain language summaries, blogs and other forms of social communication.

Dr. Workenhe, who previously received an ECRA in 2022, will continue genomic tool research to study the connection between the Avian Flu’s host interactions and reoccurring outbreaks in poultry and other livestock species. The data generated will inform the development of effective treatments against infection, reduction of economic impact and prevention of potential human health impacts.