Deana Jones: Advancing Agricultural Innovation Through Technology Transfer

Agricultural research depends on strong partnerships, practical solutions, and technology transfer strategies that connect federal science with the producers and industries it serves. Dr. Deana Jones brings that perspective to her work as Director of the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s U.S. National Poultry Research Center, where she leads a broad portfolio spanning poultry food safety, product quality, feed safety, avian viral diseases, and related agricultural research. In this episode we discuss how technology transfer shows up in agricultural research, where collaboration often depends on trust, long-term relationships, and well-structured agreements. She shares how her team works with industry, universities, and other partners to move promising ideas forward while protecting the research, the collaborators, and the path to real-world use. We also talk about building technology transfer into the culture of a research center from the beginning, not as an afterthought. From encouraging scientists to involve OTT early to highlighting a newly approved in-shell peanut moisture meter, she offers a candid look at leadership, partnership, and the work it takes to turn federal research into practical agricultural solutions. In This Episode: [03:04] Dr. Deana Jones shares how growing up around agriculture, poultry farming, and 4-H shaped her path into science [04:02] Leading the U.S. National Poultry Research Center and championing research that delivers practical solutions [06:18] The center’s broad research portfolio, from poultry food safety and feed safety to avian viral diseases [07:42] How technology transfer works in agricultural research through agreements, partnerships, and real-world testing [09:07] The surprising scope of poultry science and the many disciplines involved in supporting the industry [12:21] Why trust, respect, and long-term relationships are essential when working with producers and industry partners [15:46] Becoming the person stakeholders think of when they have a problem, even when the answer is outside your own lab [17:13] Building a culture where scientists think about technology transfer early, not after the research is complete [19:32] Bringing OTT into research planning, equipment decisions, and partnership timelines from the beginning [21:48] A newly approved in-shell peanut moisture meter that gives farmers faster results and supports better grading decisions [25:37] Moving the peanut moisture technology from early field testing to licensing, collaboration, and USDA approval [29:58] What FLC’s Laboratory Director of the Year recognition means to Deana and the team behind the work [31:44] Emerging opportunities in poultry research, including artificial intelligence, diagnostics, and avian disease mitigation [34:07] How federal labs can shorten the path from discovery to practical solutions through stronger partnerships [35:29] Advice for early-career technology transfer professionals on showing up, learning the science, and building trust [38:42] Why agricultural innovation depends on broad, collaborative teams that look at the whole problem [40:11] Making the most of long-term agricultural research projects by gathering as much useful information as possible [42:07] Closing thoughts on Deana’s work, the FLC Learning Center, and resources for listeners Resources:  Federal Labs Consortium (https://federallabs.org/) Federal Labs Consortium - Facebook (  / federallabs  ) Dr. Deana Jones: Advancing Feed Safety (   • Dr. Deana Jones: Advancing Feed Safety  ) USDA Agricultural Research Service (https://www.ars.usda.gov/) Dr. Deana Jones - LinkedIn (  / deana-jones-a9a51074  )