RALEIGH, N.C. — At the beginning of the year, North Carolina State University’s Prestage Department of Poultry Science named Aaron Kiess its interim department head after the previous department head, Frank Siewerdt, stepped down.
Now, six months later, Kiess has been named the official head of department, effective July 1.
Before starting as the interim department head, Kiess joined the department as the Braswell Distinguished Professor in commercial layer management, physiology or nutrition in 2021 to address issues facing the layer industry in North Carolina, NC State said in a statement.
His research expertise consists of a wide range of topics from food safety to avian physiology, allowing him to serve the industry in any way possible. Prior to joining NC State, Kiess spent 13 years as a faculty member in the Department of Poultry Science at Mississippi State University, where he worked with poultry companies to address pre- and post-harvest food safety issues, NC State noted.
The Prestage Department is one of six poultry science departments in the country, but Kiess says that the department is uniquely positioned because of North Carolina’s extensive poultry industry, which includes turkeys, broilers and layers.
“Most of the poultry science departments at U.S. universities are focused on a specific poultry commodity, but in North Carolina, we have all three commercial commodity groups of poultry, all of which are strong and thriving,” Kiess said. “Having the opportunity as a department head to support all three areas is very unique. Not a lot of places can say they have that kind of impact.”
Some of the recent research projects Kiess has contributed to include working to identify genetic strains of chickens that are better adapted for a cage-free environment, studying the influence of genetic strain on fear and anxiety responses of laying hens housed in a cage-free environment, evaluating a probiotic to reduce Salmonella infection within a specific breed of layer hens, and more, NC State added.
With the future in mind, Kiess aims to use the department’s expertise to reinforce its impact on the state’s poultry industry and help develop the next generation of poultry leaders.
“I want to expand the presence of the Prestage Department of Poultry Science so that it is recognized as the global benchmark for integrated poultry science,” Kiess said. “Our vision is to bring all poultry species together within a unified research and educational framework, leveraging a single location to foster collaboration, innovation and excellence. By integrating our research, teaching and outreach efforts across species, we can better meet the evolving needs of the poultry industry and prepare the next generation of leaders in the field.”
“Dr. Kiess’ extensive institutional experience ensures he is administratively ready to support new and ongoing interdisciplinary research, Extension and academic initiatives across [the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences] from day one,” CALS Dean Garey Fox said. “Crucially, Dr. Kiess understands the delicate balance of strengthening our vital industry partnerships while championing the value of foundational and applied research. We are confident that he will build on the department’s momentum, ensuring and expanding its reach and impact in the years ahead.”
Kiess grew up on his family’s cattle farm, which sparked his interest in livestock production and animal science, leading him to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal and veterinary science and his Ph.D. in genetics and developmental biology.
With a passion for mentoring, Kiess is excited about helping poultry science students and faculty excel, NC State noted.
“I like being able to create an environment where others can be successful,” Kiess added.
