ATLANTA – Dr. Henry Marks has been appointed research coordinator for the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). He succeeds Dr. Charles Beard, who continued in this role after his retirement as USPOULTRY vice president for research. Dr. Marks will administer the association's comprehensive research program that encompasses all aspects of poultry and egg production and processing. Approximately $23 million has been invested in research funding since the program was established by Association leaders in 1962.

Dr. Marks was a research geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (A.R.S.), head of the Poultry Science Department at the University of Georgia, and acting assistant dean of student affairs at the University of Georgia College of Agriculture. He is a past president of the Poultry Science Association and a former board member of both the World Poultry Science Association and editorial board of the Poultry Science Journal. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in poultry science from Virginia Tech and his Ph.D. in poultry genetics from the University of Maryland.


Dr. Marks will work with Dr. Beard on this year's research competition round, then assume the coordinator position. He will work with the association's Research Advisory Committee, receiving and evaluating research proposals and making recommendations to the board of directors for funding approval.

"We are pleased and fortunate to have Dr. Marks join us in this vital research role," said USPOULTRY chairman Steve Willardsen, Cargill Value Added Meats, Wichita, Kan. "He has a longstanding background as a poultry scientist, and has been widely recognized for his research work. We look forward to his contribution to our research efforts.”