The poultry science professor has been selected to receive the Godley-Snell Award for Excellence in Agricultural Research that is presented annually by Clemson's public service research office.
Artificial insemination is used to produce turkeys for the consumer market.
Thurston's research provided new insight into preserving the viability of turkey semen by enhancing the vitality of sperm cells. His studies identified an immune cell that affects semen quality and characterized an enzyme system that is unique in turkeys. He was also one of the first investigators to demonstrate the value of using fluorescent lights, instead of the more expensive incandescent bulbs, to stimulate semen production. Additional funding for this work comes from the National Institutes of Health, Clemson University innovation fund, the United States Department of Agriculture and from industry. Thurston holds a B.A. and M.S. from the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D from the University of Missouri.