KTN supports animal scientists of the future in the UK and beyond

KTN is all about building a better and stronger innovation system and early career researchers play a vital role in this. By sponsoring these four tickets, KTN opened a door for young researchers who might not have been able to attend otherwise.

It is BSAS’s first Virtual Conference and the four day event will cover cutting edge research in animal science, agriculture, policy and trade, education and knowledge exchange. The conference will give our four winners a great insight into the world of animal science. The conference will also include a dedicated early career programme providing an international platform showcasing the exciting work of emerging scientists.

The winners come from across the globe and include two PhD students from the UK, one postgraduate student from Nigeria and one PhD student from Mexico.

Helping early career researchers adapt to the new normal 

To have a chance to win one of the four tickets, applicants had to submit a short video explaining how attending BSAS conference would help early career researchers adapt to the new normal.

For winner Holly Vickery, it’s all about getting a feeling of connection with the wider research community back. She’s also looking forward to getting some inspiration, news ideas and new contact. Holly is a Graduate Teaching Assistant and 3rd year PhD candidate in the Department of Animal Science, University of Reading. Her interests lay within the field of animal behaviour and her PhD aims to investigate the behaviour, productivity, and overall welfare of farmed goat kids.

“I’m thrilled to have won access to the BSAS conference, the line-up of speakers looks fantastic and I am looking forward to gaining lots of new information and hopefully a motivation boost”
Holly Vickery, UK 

For Chinwendu Lorrita Elvis Chikwem, an international student studying in Nottingham, the conference will be her first one in the UK, which is an invaluable opportunity. She’s also planning on making useful contacts, sharing her research and getting feedback. Lorrita is a 2nd year PhD student in animal science at the University of Nottingham. She has a particular interest in animal nutrition.

“It is highly motivating, especially in this challenging time. I am so grateful to BSAS and KTN for this wonderful opportunity.”
Chinwendu Lorrita Elvis Chikwem, UK 

For Jatutu Shalom Samson, it’s all about getting insight into the value of animal agriculture. Jatutu is a postgraduate student in Nigeria. He studies monogastric nutrition and management with an interest in ruminant nutrition in Nigeria.

‘It means everything to me, the feeling is indescribable, thank you for the opportunity.”
Jatutu Shalom Samson, Nigeria 

Mexico based Sara Valencia Salazar explains that thanks to the conference being virtual for the first time, it allows students from developing countries to attend. This will contribute to her academic training and enable her to share her research work with an international audience. Sara is a fourth year PhD student and her interest in animal science is focused on ruminant nutrition, methane mitigation strategies and sustainable livestock.

“Winning tickets to attend the BSAS virtual conference 2021 means an opportunity to give visibility to my work and interact with researchers in other regions of the world for future collaborations.”
Sara Valencia Salazar, Mexico 

KTN will run the “Science into practice” session at the BSAS Conference on Tuesday 13 April. The session will focus on real life examples of putting innovation into practice and discuss how companies are implementing projects during this unique period of change. It will be chaired by Lucy Mather, one of our AgriFood experts who focuses on Livestock and Aquaculture. Click here to find out more about the BSAS Virtual Conference, including the full programme.