Erica Spackman receives the Young Scientist Award at the WVPA 2011

During the XVII World Veterinary Poultry Association Congress (WVPA) in Cancun, Mexico, Erica Spackman received the Young Scientist Award for her contributions to the field of poultry disease research.

Dr. Erica Spackman, Research Microbiologist at Southeast Poultry Research Lab, US Department of Agriculture (USDA), gave a lecture sponsored by the Houghton Trust about some trends and novel innovative technologies in viral diagnostics that could help to control poultry diseases in the future.

Her lecture was sponsored by the Houghton Trust, an organization in the UK established to promote the extension of knowledge in the field of avian pathology in all matters related to the diseases of birds. This organization sponsors the Houghton Trust Lecture at each international congress of the WVPA.

In 2009, Dr. Spackman was named as recipient of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on young professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.

"These extraordinarily gifted young scientists and engineers represent the best in our country," President Obama said. "With their talent, creativity, and dedication, I am confident that they will lead their fields in new breakthroughs and discoveries and help us use science and technology to lift up our nation and our world."