Maro Ibarburu, associate scientist with the Egg Industry Center, is the recipient of the Professional and Scientific Research Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. Ibarburu’s work includes compiling and providing critical egg industry statistical data and analysis, performing flock size and price projections, and modeling costs associated with different operation systems, regulations and opportunities for the egg industry. He publishes monthly reports reaching those in the industry in the U.S. and abroad. Ibarburu is the designated authority to provide a yearly U.S. report for the International Egg Commission.
Ibarburu adjusts his research as needed to provide timely science-based data and analyses for the U.S. egg industry as it experiences many and varied challenges, including the largest Salmonella Enteriditis recall in history (2010), the avian influenza outbreak (2015) and the COVID-19 pandemic that created huge shifts in shell egg and egg products demand. He provides this science-based information to the industry through written reports and presentations, and to consumers by communicating with the media.