Alrubaye wins research and teaching awards

Adnan Alrubaye has been awarded the University of Arkansas Faculty Gold Medal and the Educator Award from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture for his exceptional dedication to teaching and student mentorship beyond the classroom. The Faculty Gold Medal is the university’s highest honor and is presented only once during a faculty member’s career at the State and National Awards reception. Alrubaye was honored at the NACTA 2025 conference for receiving the Educator Award.

Adnan Alrubaye

Alrubaye is an assistant professor of poultry science and the associate director of the graduate program in cell and molecular biology at the U of A. His research focuses on the etiology of bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis, or BCO, lameness in broiler chickens, a major animal welfare and economic challenge in the poultry industry. In addition to research, Alrubaye teaches one of the university’s largest courses, general microbiology, which has an average enrollment of over 450 students.

“Both awards remind me how powerful good teaching can be in shaping futures,” Alrubaye said in the U of A press release. “For me, teaching is not just about delivering knowledge — it's about inspiring curiosity, critical thinking and the confidence students need to lead in agriculture and science."

Throughout his career, Alrubaye has received numerous awards for teaching and research, including the U of A Imhoff Award for Outstanding Teaching and Student Mentorship, the Bumpers College Jack G. Justus Award for Teaching Excellence, the Hoyt H. Purvis Award for Service in International Education, the Imhoff Outstanding Research Publication Award and the Honors College Distinguished Faculty Teaching and Research Award.