This post is part of the Science Tuesday feature series on the USDA blog. Check back each week as we showcase stories and news from USDA’s rich science and research portfolio.
When Hyun Lillehoj began her career as a scientist some 30 years ago, she never imagined that someday she’d receive a “thank you” in person from the President of the United States.
But that’s exactly what happened this past winter when Lillehoj was honored by President Barack Obama as winner of a Presidential Rank Award, one of several presented recently to honorees from various government agencies.
During her career with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Lillehoj has become an international authority on cutting-edge approaches to keeping farm animals healthy, particularly chickens. Many of her studies have targeted parasites and bacteria that cause costly avian diseases like coccidiosis or certain gastrointestinal diseases that affect both humans and poultry.
Importantly, much of her research focuses on reducing the need for antibiotics or other veterinary drugs to control these and other diseases. Her investigations helped not only the world’s poultry producers but also consumers everywhere who enjoy the culinary versatility of chicken and appreciate its nutritional value.
In studies at the ARS Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, in Beltsville, Maryland, Lillehoj has discovered DNA sequences that can serve as markers, or predictors, and that these predictors may be indicative of gene-based resistance to disease in chickens. She has helped establish databases to make this information readily available to scientists, poultry breeders and others.
In other research, Lillehoj has explored the effectiveness of herbal extracts and plant oils in helping poultry fight disease. The work has led to development of innovative veterinary products that have reduced the use of antibiotics.
This and other research has led to 11 patents and nearly 400 scientific articles. But that’s not all.
As a mentor to more than 120 young scientists from around the world, Lillehoj has shared her expertise and her enthusiasm for scientific discovery.
Most of us may take it for granted that poultry, such as chicken, will always be available at our local supermarket, as well as on the menu at our favorite restaurants. Behind-the-scenes work of animal-health scientists such as Lillehoj helps ensure that we won’t be disappointed.
Lillehoj was also inducted into ARS’s Science Hall of Fame in 2014.