Professor Kannan Ganapathy, Head of the Poultry Infection, Immunity and Vaccinology Group, has been inducted into the World Veterinary Poultry Association (WVPA) Hall of Honour 2025, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to poultry veterinary science.
The induction took place during the 23rd WVPA Congress, held from 6–10 October 2025 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in Sarawak, Malaysia. Professor Ganapathy is the youngest ever recipient of this award, which celebrates exceptional poultry veterinarians and scientists worldwide who have advanced the field through innovation, research, and education.
Having dedicated over three decades to poultry science, Professor Ganapathy leads internationally recognised work in infectious diseases, vaccine development, and immunity in poultry. At the congress, he also delivered a Keynote Lecture titled ‘Infectious Bronchitis Virus: Updates and Efficacy of IBV saRNA Vaccine’, reflecting his group’s pioneering research into next-generation RNA-based vaccines.
Research group highlights
The Poultry Infection, Immunity and Vaccinology Group made significant contributions to the event, which welcomed more than 1,900 participants from over 70 countries under the theme ‘Sustainable Healthy Poultry for a Healthier World’.
Members presented a range of oral and poster presentations highlighting innovative diagnostic and preventive strategies for poultry respiratory pathogens:
- Sirorat Munyahongse – ‘Immune Responses and Protection Induced by saRNA Infectious Bronchitis Vaccine in Chickens’.
- Congriev Kumar Kabiraj – ‘Evaluation of Different Recombinant Proteins of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae by Indirect ELISA and Rapid Immunofiltration Assay (RIFA)’.
- Hani Alnakhli – Poster presentation: ‘Design of Protein-Subunit and Multi-Epitope Vaccines Against Mycoplasma gallisepticum’.
- Emily Herschell-Kelly (BBSRC StopEggDrop Research Associate) – Poster presentation: ‘A Prospective Study on Understanding the Interactions Between Farm Practices, Flock Coinfections and Immunity in UK Free-range Flocks’.
Professor Ganapathy said, “I am honoured to receive this global recognition. I am truly grateful to my family, my research teams, our university staff, and my colleagues and friends in the UK and internationally for their constant support and encouragement. The dedication and active participation of my postgraduate students and research associates continue to strengthen our global research efforts and contribute to improved poultry welfare, health, and production.”
