Fellow

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Farm Foundation names Malone 2023 Agricultural Economics Fellow

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By John Lovett
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Trey Malone, an agricultural economist with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, has been named Farm Foundation’s 2023 Agricultural Economics Fellow.

FARM FOUNDATION FELLOW — Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station economist Trey Malone attends the Farm Foundation Roundation in Savannah, Georgia, on Jan. 11, 2023. (U of A System Division of Ag photo)

“The Farm Foundation Fellows program is a well-known and highly respected program that brings together some of the brightest minds in our profession to work and learn together on timely and important agricultural policy topics,” said John Anderson, head of the agricultural economics and agribusiness department. “With his broad interests and exceptional knowledge of policy issues and tools, Dr. Malone will be an outstanding addition to the Farm Foundation program. It will be great to have an Arkansas and Mid-South perspective on issues so well represented among this elite group of policy influencers.”

Farm Foundation’s Agricultural Economics Fellow program is a yearlong program for a faculty agricultural economist. Founded in 1933, Farm Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that works to find solutions to issues in agriculture, from farmer health and market development to sustainability and implementing new technologies in agriculture. The agricultural economics fellows program started in 2021.

The 2023 fellowship is focused on sustainable food systems and will provide an opportunity to work with diverse stakeholders on integrated systems approaches to building more sustainable food systems, with a special focus on agricultural production approaches.

As a Farm Foundation Agricultural Economics Fellow, Malone will work with diverse stakeholders to build more sustainable food systems. For example, he will meet with staff in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Chief Economist and participate in the Farm Foundation and USDA Economics Research Service Ag Scholars program on a recurring basis. He will also meet with other participants in Farm Foundation’s suite of next generation programs as time allows.

Malone’s research for the experiment station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, focuses on agribusiness entrepreneurship and resiliency in agri-food supply chains.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Malone to our Agricultural Economics Fellowship program,” said Martha King, vice president of programs and projects at Farm Foundation. “His perspectives on agribusiness and consumer behavior will be an invaluable resource and will serve as a unique springboard for collaboration.”

In addition to being mentored by staff in the USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist, Malone in turn will mentor participants in the Farm Foundation and USDA Economic Research Service Agricultural Scholars program, among other engagements.

Malone joined the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in 2022. In November he was awarded the 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Research Communication from the Food Distribution Research Society.

In addition to teaching courses through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, Malone serves as co-editor of the Agricultural & Resource Economics Review and managing editor of the International Food & Agribusiness Review.

He holds master’s and doctorate degrees in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor’s degree from Rockhurst University. 

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

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UAMS’ Fen Xia, M.D., Ph.D., Named Fellow of the American Society of Radiation Oncology

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By Marty Trieschmann

Fen Xia, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, has been named a Fellow of the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

Xia is among 27 distinguished cancer specialists in the United States to be inducted into ASTRO’s 2022 Class of Fellows, which includes physicians from Stanford, Yale, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the National Cancer Institute.

“We are so proud of Dr. Xia and her achievements,” said Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute director and UAMS vice chancellor. “She runs one of the best radiation oncology departments in the United States.”

https://news.uams.edu/2022/12/20/uams-fen-xia-m-d-ph-d-named-fellow-of-the-american-society-of-radiation-oncology/

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Poultry Science Department Head Honored as Fellow of the Poultry Science Association

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FELLOWSHIP — David Caldwell, department head of the poultry science department and director for the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, was awarded a Fellowship by the Poultry Science Association in July 2022. (Photo provided by Poultry Science Association)

SAN ANTONIO — Straight out of high school, David Caldwell didn’t envision a career in poultry science, yet he has been honored by the Poultry Science Association as a Fellow for his contributions to the field of poultry science and service to the organization.

The Texas native grew up in the small farming community of Taylor, where he was involved in FFA. Caldwell had broilers and layers but wasn’t convinced that poultry science was his future.

“I didn’t leave high school completely sold on poultry science,” said Caldwell, director of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and poultry science department head. “I actually began my undergraduate career as a wildlife biology major at Texas A&M University.”

In his second semester at Texas A&M, Caldwell discovered the job placement rate for his chosen major was not very high, so he decided to switch it up.

“I walked across campus to where the agriculture majors were housed, and that afternoon I became a poultry science major,” Caldwell said. “It stuck. I’ve been here ever since.”

After graduating with his B.S. in poultry science at Texas A&M in 1991, Caldwell pursued his graduate degrees.

“When I was working in the lab as an undergraduate and graduate student, I developed an appreciation and a keen interest in research,” Caldwell said. “That really drove me down the path toward academia and ultimately becoming a faculty member.”

He graduated from Texas A&M in 1997 with his M.S. and Ph.D. in veterinary microbiology. Right after graduation, Caldwell joined the faculty of the Department of Poultry Science at his alma mater.

“It was really nerve-wracking to join as an assistant professor, but I enjoyed the fit,” Caldwell said. “I enjoyed teaching, mentoring graduate students and conducting research that carried impact for our industry stakeholders.”

PSA a resource for success

The Poultry Science Association has played a large role in Caldwell’s professional development and career success. He joined the organization as a college student in 1991, and it has been a resource for him ever since.

“In 2008 I received what was then called the Land O’ Lakes/Purina Mills Teaching Award from the Poultry Science Association,” Caldwell said. “Teaching was always very important to my career. I’ll never forget being recognized with that award.”

Caldwell also served PSA as an at-large director between 2009 and 2012, was elected to the Executive Board in 2013 and served as president of the organization in 2015-2016. On top of all his accomplishments and service in PSA, Caldwell was inducted as a PSA Fellow at the 2022 Annual Meeting in July.

“The highest distinction that is given to a Poultry Science Association member is to be named a PSA Fellow,” said Karen Schwean-Lardner, 2022 Poultry Science Association president. “David Caldwell has contributed so much to this association, in his time given to serve on the Board of Directors, committee assignments and much more. He is also an outstanding scientist and is committed to student teaching throughout his career.”

Caldwell said he was surprised by the award.

“It wasn’t until I attended the PSA Annual Meeting in 1995 in Canada that I noticed Fellows being inducted,” Caldwell said. “I could see how much it meant to those individuals being inducted. It’s nothing I would have ever expected, but I am very honored. It means a great deal to me.”

“We are thrilled for Dr. Caldwell to be recognized by PSA. Dr. Caldwell has contributed enormously to the poultry industry during his career and has provided exemplary leadership to the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science,” said Jean-Francois Meullenet, associate vice president for agriculture for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and interim dean for the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor. Congratulations to him!”

Established in 1908, the Poultry Science Association is a professional organization consisting of approximately 2,000 educators, scientists, extension specialists, industry researchers, administrators, producers, and college students who are committed to advancing the poultry industry.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.