Dr Reza Barekatain appointed as Director of Poultry Research Foundation

by Mingan Choct

The University of Sydney has appointed Dr Reza Barekatain as an Associate Professor and the next Director of the Poultry Research Foundation (PRF) following an international search.

Dr Barekatain completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science in Iran before moving to Australia in 2009 to pursue a PhD in poultry nutrition at the University of New England (UNE). After earning his PhD, he spent a year at UNE as a postdoctoral fellow, working on two Poultry CRC-supported projects focused on early nutrition and ingredient evaluation in broiler chickens. In 2013, Reza joined the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) at the Roseworthy Campus of the University of Adelaide. There, he successfully led several nationally and internationally supported projects on poultry nutrition and intestinal health. In the past two years, as a Senior Scientist, he has been the Leader of SARDI Pigs and Poultry Group, managing a team of research scientists and technical staff with diverse backgrounds and expertise in monogastric animal research.

Reflecting on his research experience, Reza noted, “As I progressed through my career, I developed a strong passion for intestinal health and digestive physiology, particularly focusing on intestinal barrier function and its interaction with nutritional factors in poultry. My lab was among the first to study intestinal permeability in the context of reduced protein diets and synthetic amino acids in broiler chickens, as part of a project supported by AgriFutures Australia. This research attracted industry attention and led to several subsequent collaborative projects investigating intestinal barrier function in chickens to improve resilience to stress and enteric disease. This field remains a primary area of focus for me moving forward.”

The PRF is a unique research platform in Australia, where academia and industry collaborate to facilitate cutting-edge research that supports sustainable and profitable egg and meat production. Earlier in 2024, The University of Sydney began transitioning the PRF into a Research Centre within the University, aligning it with the aspirations outlined in the Sydney 2032 Strategy, which emphasizes research excellence and addressing the greatest challenges of our time. Dr. Barekatain’s expertise and leadership in research within Australian context make him an ideal addition to the PRF’s unique capabilities in poultry research.

Reflecting on his appointment, Reza said, “I am truly honored to be appointed as the Director of PRF, a position that has been held by some of the most prominent poultry scientists since PRF inception in 1958. I am particularly excited about the opportunities to expand scientific capabilities and collaborate with my outstanding colleagues at PRF, as well as with the poultry industry and other institutes in Australia and abroad to tackle the most pressing issues facing the industry.”

Dr. Barekatain will commence his role at the University of Sydney on 3 Mar 2025.