Congratulations to Dr James Adams!
The BEMB Trust is delighted that James completed his PhD in 2025 and passed with flying colours. James worked on a project entitled "Control of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) by non-antibiotic compounds inducing trained immunity of chicken macrophages" at the University of Surrey under the supervision of Professor Roberto La Ragione, Professor Shahriar Behboudi and Dr Jai Mehat. 

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​James' PhD project aimed to develop novel non-antibiotic management strategies for APEC, through the targeting of immunological memory. While effective at protecting against infection, approaches such as trained immunity have been linked with inflammation and immunopathology, potentially leading to animal health and welfare issues in poultry and reduced productivity (Funes et al., 2022). Therefore, it was important to develop approaches with the potential to mitigate inflammatory responses. This is what James went on to investigate, using the short chain fatty acid sodium butyrate as it has been previously demonstrated to enhance chicken macrophage antimicrobial activity, while also limiting inflammation within the chicken gut  (Panda et al., 2009; Sunkara et al., 2011; Ahsan et al., 2016). You can read a more detailed summary of James' work here.
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BEMB Trust sponsoring two new PhD projects from October 2024 to October 2028
​Following a call for new projects during 2023 which resulted in many high quality applications, the Trust decided to sponsor two new four year projects which started in October 2024 and October 2025. 
The first project, which started in 2024 is led by Dr Sarah Keep at the Pirbright Institute entitled "Rational development of the next generation of vaccines for Infectious Bronchitis Virus". Mr James Kirk was appointed to undertake this PhD study.

The second is a project led by Prof. Nicholas Evans at the University of Liverpool entitled "Development of nanoparticle-adjuvant and antigen-matching autogenous vaccine for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and comparative evaluation against other MG live and inactivated vaccines."
Mr Samuel Hughes has been appointed to undertake this PhD study which commenced in October 2025.
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Charlotte Cole awarded BEMB sponsored Nuffield Scholarship for 2025
Charlotte, who is currently working as a vet with the St David's Poultry Team in the North East of England, has been awarded a Nuffield Scholarship sponsored by the BEMB Trust during 2025. 
Over the next 18 months, Charlotte will be exploring a research study looking into 'Preparing Pullets for the Future of the UK Egg Industry'. She hopes to travel to the USA, Thailand, Australia, The Netherlands, Austria and various locations across the UK.  
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​Recently completed BEMB Sponsored PhD research project theses can be downloaded from the list below for anyone interested or for research purposes

1. Investigations into the molecular basis of chemically mediated interactions between the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae and the domesticated chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus by Dr Richard Lloyd-Mills. Thesis download here. 

2. Investigation into the Role of the Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) Envelope Protein in Viral Replication and Pathogenicity by Dr Isobel Webb. Thesis download here.

3. Understanding population, genetic and antigenic diversity of the poultry red mite to improve prospects for successful vaccine development by Dr Eleanor Karp-Tatham.  Thesis download here.

4. Control of Avian Intestinal Spirochaetosis (AIS) by Lactobacillus probiotics: understanding the mechanism of action of the binding of LAB to Brachyspira spp. for improved control by Dr Jade Passey.  Thesis download here.

​5. Control of poultry red mite: expression and administration of vaccine antigens to poultry in the protozoan parasite Eimeria tenella by Dr James Pritchard.  Thesis download here.