Office Hours
An Honors Professor Reflects on His Office and Lab
By Adnan Alrubaye / Photos by Russell Cothren
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Maybe because Adnan Alrubaye, assistant professor and associate director of the Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, and his team of honors students are working to stop a common bacterial infection that damages its bones.
Alrubaye’s office is laden with awards: glass trophies, bronze medals, and plaques galore—many recognizing his outstanding teaching style. Yet despite these accolades in research and mentorship, he remains humble, viewing his students not as assistants but as collaborators whose fresh insights are vital to his work.
That spirit of mutual respect has not gone unnoticed: most poignantly, a group of honors students nominated Alrubaye to be recognized during the 20th anniversary of the Honors College.
“Dr. Alrubaye … always believed in me. He cares, and his students win, both professionally and personally,” wrote Stephanie Oyibo, Wesley Vaught and Mia Alshami in their nomination.
Read along as Alrubaye takes us to the hatchery and his office in the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science to see his research in action and learn about the environment he fosters as a faculty mentor to help his students soar.
One could say he’s ruffling feathers in the best way possible.
My love for chickens began when I was six years old, raising them for my family. That early experience grew into a deeper appreciation for their role in the food system, as chickens are one of the most important and reliable meat sources worldwide. We need to produce more healthy chickens to feed the growing world population, and that’s why I started engaging in broiler chicken research. Specifically, I focus on investigating and developing mitigation measures for Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis (BCO), a significant animal welfare and food safety issue. I have eight honors students working under my supervision, and they all conduct important research work at the farm and in the laboratory. Our research provides critical information about the progression and mitigation of BCO lameness in broiler chickens, helping provide healthier chickens to consumers and improving animal welfare. This work not only advances animal health but also shapes my everyday routine.
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I usually start my day at the poultry research farm to feed and care for my chickens. Afterwards, I transition to my office to write grants and manuscripts and to meet with my students. I have many tasks in between, including attending committee meetings and teaching. In addition to these responsibilities, I serve as the associate director for the Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, one of the largest doctoral programs on campus. I love all aspects of my job as it helps my students and the U of A, a place I’ve always called home.
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The chickens in my office represent different breeds used for meat and egg production, a small nod to the foundation of my work. They sit above some of my most significant awards: Outstanding Honors Faculty Mentor Award, the Jack G. Justus Award for Teaching Excellence and the Outstanding New Faculty Advisor of the Year Award.
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The cardboard cutout was a humorous gift from Faculty Affairs, given as a token of appreciation for teaching general microbiology, a course with more than 400 students. In February 2025, I was honored to receive the Honors College Curvahedra medal for my work teaching and mentoring honors students. Over the past four years, I’ve graduated ten honors students and look forward to mentoring many more in the years ahead.
Two of the most meaningful books on my shelf are “Molecular Biology of the Cell” by Bruce Alberts and “Microbiology: An Introduction” by Gerald Tortora. Both are excellent resources for microbiologists and molecular biologists, and they reflect the academic foundation I strive to pass on to my students.
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I keep an international corner in my office, which displays items I’ve brought back from different countries or received from students during their travels. This corner reflects the diverse journeys and backgrounds my students bring with them. Just as these mementos carry stories from around the world, my approach to mentorship is grounded in honoring each student’s unique path and offering the support they need along the way.
Students often face many challenges while pursuing their degrees, and I believe it’s essential to provide a safe, caring space where they feel supported and guided through their academic journey. Ultimately, my goal is for every student to feel included, valued, and cared for, whether they’re conducting research alongside me or taking one of my courses.