The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has bolstered the poultry industry throughout its history, including contributions by a women pioneer. The late UMES professor of poultry science Jeannine Harter-Dennis (1949-2026) was a dedicated researcher and educator. Harter-Dennis conducted groundbreaking research that benefited the region’s broiler industry and taught countless students who have gone on to have successful careers in the field.
“Dr. Harter-Dennis was my advisor and mentor while I was in graduate school at UMES. I have so many good memories working with her, from traveling to professional meetings to weigh days during research projects,” said Dr. Jennifer Timmons, who is now following Harter-Dennis’ footsteps at UMES. “I would not be where I am today without her guidance and support of my career.”
Harter-Dennis helped steer her former student Chrislyn Wood Nicholson (UMES Class of 2000) into the onehealth focus of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (Michigan State University) and Master of Public Health in epidemiology and biostatistics (Penn State). The dual degree combination recognizes that clinical animal care is connected to human and environmental health.
“I will always be grateful for strong professors at UMES like Dr. Harter-Dennis who poured her knowledge into us as animal science/pre-veterinary students. She immersed us in her passion for animal science,” Nicholson said.
The alumna also worked with both Harter-Dennis and Timmons in the poultry nutrition lab, where she “learned so much about the research process having the additional experience working with the chicks on the poultry farm.”
Nicholson has worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services for 22 years. For the past four years, she has been an epidemiologist with the agency in Pennsylvania and along the East Coast, where she provides science-based information for avian influenza response with the Joint Incident Management Team and poultry production education to farmers on flock surveillance for HPAI detection and biosecurity mitigation.
“Dr. Harter-Dennis was my first close-up experience with animal science when I arrived at UMES. She helped confirm the veterinary medicine path I wanted to pursue. She touched so many students’ lives, not just through her knowledge but through her genuine care for both people and animals. Her impact will never be forgotten,” said Kimberly Braxton, associate professor, pre-veterinary advisor and campus veterinarian.
Another former student, Anthony Pokoo-Aikins, said: “She challenged me to pursue excellence and instilled in me the confidence to grow as a scientist and a professional. Dr. Harter-Dennis’ encouragement and support played a major role in shaping my career in poultry science and left a lasting impact on my life,” he said. Pokoo-Aikins earned a master’s degree in animal/poultry science (2008-2011) and a doctorate in food science and technology (2011-2016) from UMES.
For the past six years, Pokoo-Aikins has worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. He is a research biologist at its U.S. National Poultry Research Center in Athens, Georgia.
His classmate and fellow protegee of the poultry educator, Samuel Mwangi, is now an assistant professor of poultry health and flock management at North Carolina State University. Mwangi earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from UMES.
“Many of the values and high standards that guide my research and professional service today were strengthened under Dr. Harter-Dennis’ mentorship. I will always be grateful for the opportunities she gave me, the confidence she inspired in me, and the lessons that continue to influence my career,” Mwangi said.
Dr. Jennifer Timmons contributed to this article.
