From UGA to USDA to USYD: Deepak’s Journey Toward Safe and Sustainable Poultry and Food Production

by Benjamin Geist

Deepak Subedi is a PhD student at the Poultry Research Foundation (PRF), The University of Sydney (USYD). He completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH) from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, in 2020. His research journey began during his undergraduate studies, where he conducted a case-control study to identify risk factors associated with low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). This work was later published in a peer-reviewed journal, marking the foundation of his academic career.

Following graduation, Deepak worked as a poultry veterinarian in Nepal for two years. During this period, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine field activities, providing him with an opportunity to strengthen his research profile. He utilised this time to write review articles and conduct cross-sectional studies, resulting in multiple publications on animal and zoonotic diseases, including rabies, lumpy skin disease, COVID-19, mastitis, avian influenza, anthrax, and African swine fever.

In 2022, Deepak moved to the United States to pursue a Master of Science in Poultry Science at the University of Georgia (UGA). His graduate research focused on meat safety and food microbiology, with hands-on laboratory experience working on major foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Clostridium. His MS thesis, titled “Effect of Chlorine Dioxide Treated Water on the Prevalence and Concentration of Salmonella and Campylobacter in Broilers,” highlights his academic work in poultry science.

After completing his MS degree, Deepak joined the Eastern Regional Research Center of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-ARS) in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, as a Research Fellow. There, he worked on a fresh produce safety project entitled “Survival of Pathogens on Work-in-Process Fresh-Cut Produce Ingredients,” further broadening his expertise in food safety beyond poultry systems. After 11 months at USDA-ARS, he commenced his PhD at the PRF, USYD, in October 2025.

Currently, Deepak is conducting a literature review evaluating how dietary protein influences the health, welfare, and meat quality of broiler chickens. As a veterinarian, he is particularly interested in understanding how variation in poultry diet influences gut health, welfare, and overall productivity, while ensuring food safety across the production chain. To date, Deepak has authored over 45 peer-reviewed publications, accumulated 1,000+ citations (h-index: 16), and reviewed more than 80 manuscripts for scientific journals. He aspires to pursue a career in academia, where he aims to conduct research and train the next generation of scientists and professionals in sustainable animal production, with a strong emphasis on animal nutrition, health, welfare, and food safety.