NTF's Rybolt Receives Ph.D.
Washington, D.C. - May 11, 2006 - Michael Rybolt, the National Turkey Federation (NTF) manager of scientific and technical affairs, today received a Ph.D. in Veterinary Medical Science with emphasis on food safety from Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
"Michael's doctorate degree is in assessing foodborne pathogens on live poultry, which provides an additional strength to the regulatory and scientific work NTF performs on behalf of the turkey industry," said NTF President Alice Johnson.
Dr. Rybolt's research in the food safety laboratory at the college focused on pre-harvest Salmonella detection and risk assessment in the poultry industry. While an undergraduate at Mississippi State, Rybolt worked as a student research assistant in a poultry parasitology laboratory studying Eimeria spp. in both broilers and turkeys.
During his graduate studies, Rybolt presented numerous scientific presentations at various regional, national, and international conferences. He has been involved in research projects focusing on pre-harvest food safety risk factors, as well as examining the ability of several Salmonella isolation and identification methods including rapid techniques.
Rybolt is a member of the International Association of Food Protection, Gamma Sigma Delta and Alpha Theta Chi Collegiate Honor Societies.
The National Turkey Federation is the advocate for all segments of the U.S. turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities, which increase demand for its members' products and protect and enhance the ability to effectively and profitably provide wholesome, high quality, nutritious turkey products.
Chef2Chef News Desk