Kennedy holding a broiler chicken.
Author: Kennedy Hicks | Major: Biochemistry | Semester: Spring 2025
Hi, my name is Kennedy Hicks, and I’m a Biochemistry major with minors in Child Services and Medical Humanities. My research focused on evaluating whether adding a special form of vitamin D—1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-glycosides—to chicken feed could help reduce the incidence of BCO (Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis), a leading cause of lameness in the poultry industry. This condition arises when bacteria cross the gut or respiratory barriers and enter the bloodstream. I investigated how key barrier-forming proteins responded to this supplement over time, using RNA extraction and gene expression analysis. Our findings suggest that this dietary intervention may enhance animal health and reduce the need for antibiotics in commercial poultry farming.
I didn’t set out to study chickens—I was simply a student with a strong interest in health. During my sophomore year, I took a microbiology course with Dr. Adnan Alrubaye (Dr. Al) and appreciated his engaging teaching style. He showed genuine interest in his students’ success and helped me thrive in a biology class at a time when I was seriously considering changing my major due to struggles in earlier science courses. Before the class ended, he offered to be my thesis advisor and invited me to join his research lab. He warned me that working with chickens would be messy and demanding, but I was ready to take on the challenge.
At first, I was nervous. I had never worked with chickens before and wasn’t sure how I’d handle early mornings or feathers. But I adjusted quickly and grew to love the environment, from the incredible team of graduate and undergraduate students to the abundance of hands-on learning opportunities. I learned how to raise chickens, collect tissue samples, perform RNA extractions, and use qPCR to measure gene expression. More than just technical skills, I gained a deep appreciation for the patience and persistence that research demands.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning how to analyze molecular data. It’s one thing to run an experiment—it’s another to make sense of the numbers. Thankfully, I had an incredible mentor, Dr. Andi Asnayanti, a graduate student who guided me through data analysis, helped me refine my writing, and constantly encouraged me to ask questions. Dr. Al supported me every step of the way, giving me the freedom to explore my ideas while offering the right amount of guidance when I needed it most.
This experience wasn’t just about the science—it was about the community. I met people who were genuinely invested in helping me succeed. Whether it was a graduate student offering advice or an undergrad cheering me on, there was always someone in my corner. I didn’t travel for this project, but every day in the lab felt like its own journey—from prepping syringe needles to defending my thesis.
This project deepened my love for applied science and reaffirmed my desire to pursue a career in healthcare. After graduation, I plan to take a gap year and work as a pharmacy technician while applying to pharmacy school, where I hope to specialize in pediatrics. The skills I’ve gained—problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking—will stay with me no matter where my path leads. Research taught me how to be comfortable with uncertainty, how to persevere when things don’t go as planned, and how to celebrate every small victory.
And who knows? Maybe my future will still involve chickens—just from a public health angle rather than a coop.