Innovate Animal Ag (IAA) has proudly announced the recipients of its 2026 Poultry & Aquaculture Innovation Scholarship, designed to support promising undergraduates eager to contribute to the poultry and aquaculture sectors.
The scholarship has been awarded to three outstanding recipients: Jaehyoung Park, Westen Vardeman, and Shayenn Votaw, each receiving US$4,000 to aid their educational pursuits.
Meet the Scholarship Recipients
Jaehyoung Park
Currently a sophomore at Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (‘28), Jaehyoung majors in Biological Sciences. He possesses a fervent passion for aquaculture, viewing it as a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for protein production. Jaehyoung actively maintains tilapia tanks and contributes to aquaculture research at the Won lab, gaining hands-on experience in real-world settings. His aspirations include pursuing a graduate degree focused on integrating technology into aquaculture.
Westen Vardeman
A third-year student at Texas A&M University, Westen is studying Poultry Science. Coming from a cow/calf operation in East Texas, he has gained valuable experiences through employment at Tyson Foods and conducting poultry nutritional research. In the summer of 2026, he plans to enhance his knowledge by traveling to Australia to work on a feedlot. Osten’s long-term goal is to earn a PhD in animal nutrition, with aspirations at either Texas Tech or Texas A&M.
Shayenn Votaw
Shayenn, enrolled at North Carolina State University, is pursuing a degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology, with a minor in Animal Science. Growing up on family-operated swine farms in southeastern North Carolina, she has developed a strong basis in animal agriculture. Her hands-on experience extends to research with the USDA-NIFA funded Proactive Pig Production (P3) project. Shayenn aims to focus her career on precision livestock farming, integrating advanced technologies to enhance animal welfare and production efficiency.
The IAA Poultry & Aquaculture Innovation Scholarship
The IAA Poultry & Aquaculture Innovation Scholarship fosters the development of aspiring leaders in agricultural technology and innovation. The scholarship recipients were selected based on criteria including academic excellence, practical experience in animal agriculture, and a demonstrated dedication to integrating new technologies within the industry.
Robert Yaman, CEO of Innovate Animal Ag, stated, “Innovation in animal agriculture doesn’t happen without the right people: those with the technical skills, the hands-on experience, and the drive to solve hard problems. Jaehyoung, Westen, and Shayenn each demonstrated that unique combination, and we’re delighted to support them on their journey towards becoming pioneers in animal agriculture innovation.”
