Dr. Chris Bailey sits talking to another individual
Chris Bailey, Ph.D., retired after more than four decades of research and teaching within the Texas A&M Department of Poultry Science. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

After more than four decades of pioneering research in animal nutrition and inspiring countless students, Chris Bailey, Ph.D., a professor in the Texas A&M Department of Poultry Science at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, retired at the end of 2024.

His career, which spans 42 years, profoundly impacted poultry science, shaping the future of global food security and sustainability. He has been associated with Texas A&M University as a student and faculty member for 53 years.

Reflecting on his tenure, Bailey remarked, “This job has been wonderful. I loved the people, the community and the Aggie Spirit. It was a great opportunity to work with great researchers, travel the world and teach the next generation.”

A legacy of innovation and global impact

Bailey’s research revolutionized poultry nutrition, and his teaching legacy continues to have a global ripple effect. Countless former students of Bailey’s are directly influencing the industry every day, carrying forward his commitment to innovation and excellence.

Viewing his field as a critical part of global food security, his early research explored the interplay between diet composition and nutrient absorption in poultry. That work ultimately laid the groundwork for later studies on optimizing feed formulations to enhance productivity and sustainability, including using probiotics and other cutting-edge nutrition studies to reduce the need for antibiotics.

Chris Bailey, Ph.D., (right) talks to a colleague.
Audrey McElroy gives Chris Bailey a wall clock at his retirement reception.
Chris Bailey, Ph.D., caught up with colleagues and former students and received a gift from Texas A&M Department of Poultry Science head Audrey McElroy, Ph.D., at his retirement reception. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Champion of global collaboration

Bailey’s career also took him around the world, including trips to Iraq, Africa, Kurdistan and other nations to teach and guide the application of poultry science to improve production and food security globally.

“Meeting so many people all over the world has been very rewarding, and you discover the vast majority have the same hopes, desires and dreams of family and peace as we do,” he said. “That’s the biggest lesson my career taught me.”

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