Dr. Blatchford is an Associate Specialist in Cooperative Extension: Small to Industry Scale Poultry. He researches husbandry, behavior, and welfare of small to large scale poultry operations; effects of housing design and management techniques on laying hens and broilers; development of on-farm assessment tools. He is also involved in the Animal Biology Graduate Group and the Avian Sciences Graduate Group.

How did you decide to study animal science, specifically poultry production?

I grew up in a very urban area near Boston, MA, and did not know anything about agriculture. I did, however, have backyard chickens growing up, and always wanted to work with animals. As an undergrad, I learned more about animal behavior and became very interested in captive management. After graduating, I worked in conservation through captive management of endangered avian species, including reintroduction projects of Whooping Cranes and Siberian Cranes. I ended up coming back to school for an MS degree, and worked in a lab that primarily worked with poultry. It was then that I was exposed to agriculture and commercial poultry production. Learning that you could work with poultry for a career had me hooked, and here I am today.

What drove you to pursue a masters and PHD, and how did those degrees shape your career path?

After getting my BA, I spent a couple of years interning at various conservation organizations, including the International Crane Foundation and the Wildlife Conservation Society. I was on the track to becoming a zoo keeper, but wanted to do more research, so I decided to get an MS degree. Once in grad school, I discovered how much I love research, and that I could work with chickens! So I stayed to do a PhD. My grad school time changed the trajectory of my career path (I think for the better!).

Besides being a professor, what are some outside hobbies that you enjoy right now?

I really like spending time outdoors and hiking. I have two children that I love to teach about the natural world and especially birds!

Can you share some of your experiences as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in academia? 

Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community can be difficult in academia. Many under-represented groups are tracked by academia, but not typically the LBGTQ+. That has made it feel isolating and invisible at times. However, I think that academia is overall a supportive and safe environment. Universities are much better at providing support for students now, and provide opportunities for networking and social support. As a faculty member, I have faced discrimination, but I have used those experiences to become a driver of change, and increase visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in the sciences, particularly in Animal Sciences as that is my department.

What advice would you give to an LGBTQ+ student pursuing a career in teaching and/or research?

My advice, although it sounds cliché, is to be your true self. Find a support system, and be brave. I have found that many situations I was nervous about turned out to be great, and the support system I had helped me to overcome the anxiety. If you can find a mentor, especially a faculty member, that is great. Don’t be afraid to approach us, I think most faculty are happy to have conversations.

What is the best piece of advice anyone has given you?

As a senior undergrad, I was talking to a faculty mentor about grad school, and how I wasn’t sure about going. They told me, “If you don’t know, don’t go.” I took their advice, and went out into the world to discover what my passion truly is. And I found it! Our life paths are rarely straight lines, including career paths, and it is important to do something with your life that you are passionate about.