Xin Named Director of Egg Industry Center at Iowa State University

AMES, Iowa — Hongwei Xin, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, has been named director of the Egg Industry Center at Iowa State University. "Dr. Xin's strong understanding of the domestic and international poultry industry makes him an ideal person to lead the Egg Industry Center," said Dean Wendy Wintersteen of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "This knowledge and background allows him to bring various parties together to help address researchable issues of high priority for the egg industry." The Iowa Egg Council earlier this year made a $2 million gift commitment to establish the endowed egg industry program in Iowa State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Egg Industry Center was created to develop new ideas and technologies to address emerging needs of the egg industry. "By collaborating with scientists across the nation and the world, the Egg Industry Center will seek science-based answers to current and emerging issues facing the industry, such as expanding existing markets, exploring new uses for eggs, promoting animal health and welfare, developing more efficient and environmentally friendly production practices and enhancing nutrition for the benefit of consumers," Xin said. "I look forward to working with academic and industry constituents to accomplish the center's mission." Kevin Vinchattle, executive director of the Iowa Egg Council, said, "Dr. Xin has worked closely with the egg farmers within and outside of Iowa for a number of years. He understands the issues we face and is dedicated to finding answers. His collaborations with researchers nationally and internationally will bring a wide base of support to this effort." Xin joined Iowa State in 1993. He specializes in air quality issues related to animal-feeding operations with emphasis on measurement and mitigation of aerial emissions; impacts of environmental factors on production performance, behavior, and welfare of livestock and poultry; and livestock and poultry housing and environmental control. He earned a master's degree in agricultural engineering and a doctorate degree in engineering (bio-environmental engineering) from the University of Nebraska in 1985 and 1989, and his bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering from Shenyang Agricultural University, China in 1982. In 2007, he was honored by the Iowa Poultry Association with its Industry Person of the Year Award.