1/24/02

CURTIS TO DIRECT POULTRY 'PEAKS OF EXCELLENCE' PROGRAM AT AU

AUBURN -- Patricia Curtis, who joined the Auburn University Department of Poultry Science in January, has been selected to direct the Poultry Product Safety and Quality Program -- one of AU's Peaks of Excellence research initiatives.

Curtis replaces Don Conner as director, who was named interim head of the Department of Poultry Science.

She received her PhD at Texas A&M University and cames to AU from North Carolina State University where she held an extension appointment. Her area of research and expertise is in poultry and egg products and food safety.

AU's Poultry Product Safety and Quality Program is a uniquely designed, multi-disciplinary research initiative with the Department of Poultry Science at its core. Following a farm-to-fork philosophy, the program also has outreach and teaching components and the goal to develop the knowledge and technology needed for the production of wholesome, high quality poultry and egg products in a globally competitive manner.

The AUPPSQP is one of seven Peaks of Excellence research programs at Auburn.

Selection as a Peaks of Excellence Program is competitive. The program is designed to showcase multi-disciplinary research programs at Auburn, that are strong, capable of fast growth, and meet the research and development needs of the state, region and nation.

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CONTACT: CONTACT: Kloepper, 334/844-4411 and Curtis, 334/844-2679.