Meagan Craven has been recognised at this year’s Science and Innovation Awards in Canberra for her trailblazing research that could help shield laying hens from salmonella.
Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud announced Dr Craven as the winner of the Minister’s Award for 2020 at tonight’s ABARES Outlook dinner.
“Dr Craven is leading important research that could reduce the growth of multiple strains of Salmonella enteritidis, or SE, in the guts of laying hens,” Minister Littleproud said.
“SE is a pathogen in humans and can cause serious illness.
“Judges agreed it’s an innovative and ambitious project addressing a growing problem for the poultry sector, with research outcomes that may be transferable to other sectors.
“I’m delighted to announce Dr Craven as the winner of the Minister’s Award for 2020.
“The Science and Innovation Awards are a great example of harnessing the new ideas and new approaches from our younger members of the sector.
“The range of projects presented, and the creative approaches to looking at industry issues, reminds me yet again of what a privilege it is to be Minister of such a diverse sector.
“It was a difficult challenge to select one of the extended research projects submitted by the winners tonight to receive the Minister’s Award and additional grant funding.
“I congratulate all winners and nominees. It is fantastic to see so many young people who have a passion for our agriculture sector.”
For more details about Dr Meagan Craven’s project ‘Development of a culture system that simulates the gut microbiome for identifying effective novel antimicrobials’, visit
