FUNAAB Alumnus Wins 2026 U.S. National Dairy Science Award

The American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) has named Nigerian scholar and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) alumnus, Dr. Yusuf Adeniji, as the recipient of the 2026 National Milk Producers Federation Richard M. Hoyt Award.

The award, jointly supported by the National Milk Producers Federation Dairy Scholarship Fund, recognises outstanding research with practical application to key challenges in the United States dairy industry. Dr. Adeniji is expected to receive the honour on June 23, 2026, during the ADSA Annual Meeting scheduled for June 21–24 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Dr. Adeniji obtained his Bachelor of Agriculture degree in Animal Production and Health from FUNAAB’s College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM) in 2014. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Animal Nutrition from King Saud University in 2020, before completing his PhD in Animal Science at The Pennsylvania State University in 2025, where he specialised in dairy cattle nutrition and physiology under Prof. Kevin Harvatine.

His research focuses on fatty acid metabolism, nutrient partitioning, and the biological regulation of milk fat synthesis in dairy cows, with implications for improving dairy productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.

He currently serves as a postdoctoral scholar at The Pennsylvania State University, where he continues research aimed at addressing global food production and nutrition challenges through advanced dairy science.

The ADSA described the award as recognition of research that bridges academic excellence with real-world impact, noting that Dr. Adeniji’s contributions are highly relevant to contemporary challenges in dairy nutrition and production systems.

The American Dairy Science Association is an international body of scientists, educators, and industry professionals dedicated to advancing dairy science and promoting innovation across the global dairy value chain.