The Biography Project

Founding Members who attended the 2007 annual convention in Washington, D.C.
Top row-Left to Right: Charles F. Hall, Hiram N. Lasher, Arnold S. "Rosy" Rosenwald
Second row-Left to Right: Saul Narotsky, Julius Fabricant, Stephen B. Hitcher

The project consists mostly of autobiographies and biographies of people involved in avian medicine and/or the AAAP. In addition to the biographies, there are other sources available providing information on people who have contributed to the avian medicine and the AAAP. Information and links to these sources are provided below. When searching for information on a particular person, please consult all the sections in this website.

Biographies are important

It is through the lives of people that history is realized. Thus, a biography (or autobiography) documents a slice of history as seen or experienced by an individual. We learn from history and it is incumbent on us, the living, to make sure that history is preserved for the benefit and edification of succeeding generations.

Biographies do much more than document the life of a person. They also reveal important information about the people who influenced, or were influenced by, the subject person. Biographies document events and iconic moments of historical interest to avian medicine and the roles of specific persons in those events. Thus, biographies may not only influence, motivate, encourage and teach younger generations, but are a source of inspiration and admiration also. A biography will increase in value over the years, and are often highly valued by the families and colleagues of the subject person. Therefore, we encourage you to share your life’s professional experiences and wisdom with your colleagues, both young and old, by writing your biography.

AAAP Biographies

In 1996, the AAAP launched an effort to document the lives of members and others through a solicitation of biographical (or autobiographical) information. Submitted materials, which included a curriculum vitae with publications, a photo, and a “reflective statement,” were to be deposited in the AAAP Archives at Iowa State University. The History of Avian Medicine Committee was responsible for this activity.

A growing number of AAAP members thus contributed autobiographies. Several biographies were written by History Committee members helping people in completing the writing or describing the history of deceased persons. Since 2007, the biography collection is posted on the AAAP website and new biographies are frequently added. The web biographies provide easy access to historical information and serve as models for those wishing to prepare their own materials. To access the biographies go to AAAP Biographies and Autobiographies.

Information for Prospective Authors

What is the biography project?

The purpose of the project is to preserve biographical information on persons who have contributed to poultry medicine for succeeding generations of scientists and historians interested in poultry medicine.

Who should submit a biography?

Any person who has made significant contributions to poultry medicine or the AAAP is encouraged to submit his or her autobiography. In addition, biographies All submissions will be accepted. Self-contributions are encouraged, especially from persons at or beyond retirement age.

What should I submit for a biography?

A curriculum vita, including critical dates, education, employment, special assignments or contributions, and a list of publications (no reprints).
A photo, preferably a professional portrait photo (3"x5" or 5"x7").
A reflective statement

What is a reflective statement?

To every career there is a professional and a personal side. The reflection is meant to include the personal side of the story, not the answer to 'what was done' but 'why was it done'. It is an opportunity to record your motivation to enter into the poultry health field, to record your side of things, how things actually happened, your gratitude to mentors, colleagues, postdocs and graduate students or stimulating collaborations with fellow scientists, or words of wisdom for those who follow you. We will help you with editing for grammar or style, (if you want) but the content is up to you. To provide some ideas about a reflective statement go to Writing a reflective statement.

How to submit a biography.

A member of the History of Avian Medicine Committee will be assigned to help assist you or answer questions about your autobiography or the biography of a colleague.

What happens to a biography once it is submitted?

Completed biographies are published on the AAAP website and the originals are sent to the AAAP archives at Iowa State University (ISU). A copy of each biography is kept with the AAAP's history committee.

Citation of biographies

Biographies can be cited in refereed journals. The citation format for electronic documents such as biographies is determined by the journal. Please consult the appropriate guidelines for authors. For Avian Diseases, the preferred citation format is as follows:

Witter RL. Hiram Nelson Lasher (1920–2012). In: American Association of Avian Pathologists Biographies of Professionals in Poultry Health; [accessed 2021 Apr 12]. http://aaap.memberclicks.net/biographies; 2007.

Submission

To submit a completed biography either send it to the person assisting you with the project or directly to:

Dr. Gabriel Senties-Cue

Other Biography Sources

AAAP Hall of Honor

The American Association of Avian Pathologists Hall of Honor is a member designation that recognizes AAAP members who have demonstrated significant contributions to the advancement of poultry health and contributions to the AAAP. The first 27 members were inducted in 2016. The biographies of inductees in the AAAP Hall of Honor can be accessed by going to AAAP Hall of Honor Biographies.

WVPA Hall of Honour

The World Veterinary Poultry Association (WVPA) initiated the WVPA Hall of Honour in 2013 to recognize poultry veterinarians and health scientists who made an outstanding contribution in the furtherance of poultry veterinary science. The biographies of inductees in the WVPA Hall of Honour can be accessed by going to WVPA Hall of Honour Biographies.

Merial Biographies

Merial Select launched in 2005 a publication series entitled Merial Selections. Each issue featured a section where one or more prominent persons in the poultry industry were featured. Initially, the section was designated as the Integrator/Innovator section and featured persons prominent in the poultry production industry. Subsequently, the section was termed the Leaders and Legends section featuring persons prominent in the areas of poultry disease and poultry science.

Merial Select (name changed to Merial in 2010) selected the persons to be featured. The Merial Selections series ran for 7 years (2005-2011). The information was obtained by a face-to-face interview, which in some cases was videotaped. The text was written by a professional science writer and the video was condensed into a 5-10 minute clip. The biographical information contained therein is unique and not generally available in library collections. By permission from Merial and Watt Publishing, the 28 biographical articles of this magazine series as well as nine available video clips are reproduced here. This information is not generally available elsewhere and adds substantially to the AAAP biography collection. Go to Merial Biographies for the biographies and to Merial Video Clips for the video clips.

JAVMA biographies

In addition, the following biographies (or personal reflections) have been published by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA):

Rosenwald, A.S. Fifty years with feathered food animals. JAVMA 195:1490-6. 1989. PDF 999 kb

Bullis, K.L. Dedication to avian studies. JAVMA 199:864-7. 1991. PDF 3.5 kb

Hitchner, S.B. Blending business and research in avian medicine. JAVMA 198:1526-30. 1991. PDF 4 kb

Shor, L. Variety, the spice of industrial veterinary medicine. JAVMA. 203:1529-31. 1993. PDF 2.3 kb

DeLay, P. Far removed from the Iowa "cow war". JAVMA 210:620-2. 1997. PDF 2.1 kb

The American Association of Avian Pathologists has been granted permission to reproduce these articles, originally published by the American Veterinary Medical Association. To further reproduce the article, in print or electronically, please contact the copyright coordinator at [email protected].