Diego A. Martinez, Ph.D., joined the Texas A&M Department of Poultry Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as an assistant professor of poultry nutrition on August 1.
Diego A. Martinez, Ph.D.Courtesy Texas A&M University
In this role, Martinez will develop research and teaching programs focused on poultry nutrition, nutrient utilization and biological responses, and quantitative approaches to address basic and applied questions in poultry production, with particular emphasis on broilers and broiler breeders.
His work combines academic research with more than two decades of experience spanning commercial poultry production, feed manufacturing, technical service, product development and industry consulting on a global scale.
Rethinking how energy is measured in poultry nutrition
One important application of Martinez’s quantitative approach to poultry nutrition is productive energy, an approach designed to better account for how birds utilize dietary energy for maintenance, growth and production. By examining these biological processes through experimental research and quantitative approaches, his work seeks to improve understanding of how nutrients are used and how that knowledge can inform more precise diet formulation.
Energy is one of the largest contributors to poultry feed costs, making accurate estimates important for both nutritional and economic decision-making. Martinez combines nutrition research with data analysis and quantitative modeling to better characterize nutritional responses and translate biological information into practical applications.
This work will advance productive energy systems that can support diet formulation, improve the ability to understand and predict bird performance and processing outcomes, and help evaluate the economic value of feed ingredients. He will also study amino acid requirements and other aspects of poultry nutrition that can contribute to more informed nutritional decisions.
Connecting research with industry needs
Martinez approaches poultry nutrition from two perspectives: how nutrients function within birds and how feeding decisions affect commercial production. His research combines experimental studies with quantitative approaches to characterize biological responses, evaluate nutritional strategies and develop ways to better understand and predict outcomes. At the same time, he considers how real-world production conditions, including environmental and management challenges, shape the nutritional decisions needed to support bird performance.
His perspective is informed by extensive experience in poultry industry, including work in broiler production, feed milling, technical sales, commercial management, research and development, and technical services. In these roles, he supported poultry producers and allied industry companies throughout the United States and Latin America. He also previously founded LIAN Development and Service, a Peru-based poultry nutrition consulting and contract research company.
Most recently, Martinez served as a program associate and researcher at the University of Arkansas Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, where he further expanded his research in poultry nutrition and energy metabolism, applying quantitative approaches to practical questions in poultry production.
Throughout his career, Martinez has contributed to more than 250 research projects, authored 30 journal articles and more than 100 conference papers, and reviewed more than 150 manuscripts for more than 20 scientific journals.
Preparing students to think beyond the classroom
Martinez brings an energetic, mentorship-driven approach to the classroom, emphasizing case studies, hands-on learning, data interpretation, and real-world problem-solving. Using examples from commercial operations, he helps students understand how nutrition intersects with production, processing and business management.
“I believe that a professor’s true legacy is reflected in the growth and success of their students,” Martinez said. “I strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel comfortable seeking guidance, exploring their interests, and developing their skills.”
At Texas A&M, Martinez plans to create undergraduate research opportunities that allow students to work with real research questions using different approaches, including experimental research, quantitative analysis, meta-analysis and modeling. The goal is not simply to teach a particular statistical technique, but to help students understand how researchers identify problems, evaluate information, analyze evidence, make decisions and communicate results.
These experiences can provide valuable skills for students interested in poultry production and industry, graduate education or professional programs, as well as those pursuing other career paths. Students may also have opportunities to present their work and engage with the broader poultry science and industry community, gaining experience communicating their findings and building professional connections.
A career built across research and production
Originally from Peru, Martinez earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, an Engineering Title in Animal Production Systems, a Master of Science in Nutrition and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition, all from La Molina National Agrarian University.
Martinez is a member of the Poultry Science Association and the World’s Poultry Science Association. In 2024, he was inducted into Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, an invitation-only international honor society.
Outside of work, Diego has enjoyed exploring the Brazos Valley with his wife and family. “Discovering the unique culture and traditions that make Texas A&M such a special place has been one of the highlights of my first few weeks in Aggieland,” he said.
