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| General information
on admission, housing, the Blacksburg community, the University, and
graduate studies in Dairy Science is in the Graduate Catalog available
from the Graduate School. Students interested in pursuing graduate studies
in Dairy Science or in the Interdepartmental Genetics Ph.D. program
(statistical and molecular genetics) are encouraged to communicate directly
with the faculty member of interest concerning a potential program of
study, application for admission, and/or financial support.
Students are strongly encouraged to apply online at www.grads.vt.edu. Applying online streamlines the application process and reduces processing time. Test scores and transcripts should be sent directly to the Graduate School. Reference letters and another official transcript should be sent directly to the academic department. There are about 20 graduate students in the Dairy Science Department. These are distributed in genetics, reproduction, nutrition, management, and lactation. All graduate students have the opportunity to gain classroom teaching experience and to participate in extension education programs in addition to their involvement in research programs. A non-thesis option is offered within the MS degree program in Dairy Science. Financial AidThe Department awards several Graduate Research Assistantships to qualified students each year. Information regarding assistantship eligibility and a stipend table with assistantship rates may be found at the Graduate School web page at http://www.grads.vt.edu/financial/assistantships/index.html. The Dairy Science Department funds beginning M.S. students at step 8, and beginning Ph.D. students at step 10. Assistantships are renewed annually for students demonstrating satisfactory progress. Research FacilitiesThe Department resides in Litton Reaves Hall, a modern, well equipped, office building. In addition to offices, it includes extensive laboratory and classroom facilities designed to support dairy research, teaching, and extension programs. Computing facilities are available in the building, at various campus locations, and at the University Computing Center (IBM SP2, SGI Origin 2000, Supercomputer access). The Department maintains a research and teaching herd of 150 milking cows (Holsteins and Jerseys) in a dairy center less than one mile from the office building. Faculty Research ProgramsGENETICS Dr. Bennet G. Cassell, Professor of Dairy Science and Extension Specialist for Dairy Genetics and Dairy Herd Improvement records. Impact of crossbreeding on lifetime economic merit with specific emphasis on health, fitness, reproduction, and survival. Relationships of persistency of lactation with incidence of diseases. Studies of lifetime economic merit with application to optimal breeding goals and mating systems. REPRODUCTION Dr. Frank C. Gwazdauskas, David R. & Margaret Lincicome Professor of Dairy Science. Transgenic animals. Superovulation, embryo culture, and transfer. Production of transgenic mice, pigs, goats, and cattle. Factors influencing gene incorporation in the early embryo. Expression of mammary gland derived products. Embryo manipulation. NUTRITION AND FEEDING Dr. Benjamin A. Corl, Assistant Professor of Dairy Science. Nutritional biochemistry and metabolism of growing and lactating cattle. Control of milk and body fat synthesis. Understanding control of milk fatty acid composition and developing strategies to enhance it. Dr. Mark D. Hanigan, Associate Professor of Dairy Science. Nutritional physiology and metabolic modeling. Current research is focused on the regulation of major nutrient metabolism with emphasis on nitrogen efficiency. The objective of the work is to reduce the environmental impact of dairy production. Molecular, mass balance, and isotopic techniques are used to probe cellular, tissue, and whole animal metabolism. Mathematical modeling is used to integrate the derived information. The resulting models can be used to derive nutrient requirements for field application. Dr. Katharine Knowlton, Associate Professor of Dairy Science. Ruminant Nutrition and Nutrient Management. Nutritional and management approaches to minimizing nutrient pollution of ground and surface water by dairy farms. Phosphorus metabolism of ruminants. Controlling odor emission from dairy and livestock farms. Factors affecting fiber digestibility of corn silage, warm season grasses, and small grain silage. Ruminant starch digestion and glucose metabolism. LACTATION Dr. R. Michael Akers, Horace E. and Elizabeth F. Alphin Professor of Dairy Science. Hormonal and growth factor regulation of mammary development. Study of mammary tissue derived growth factors, transgenic animals, and extracellular matrix components. Dr. Isis K. Mullarky, Assistant Professor of Dairy Science. Mucosal immunology and infectious disease. In vivo and in vitro models to study host responses during infection at the whole animal and molecular levels. Current research is focused on determining how Staphylococcus aureus alters the coagulation cascade and immune responses in the mammary gland. Dr. Christina Petersson-Wolfe, Assistant Professor of Dairy Science and Extension Specialist for Milking Management and Milk Quality. Milk quality and the prevention of mastitis. Research involving the etiology of Enterococcus spp; understanding survival and transmission of organism; examining infectivity of organism; mechanisms involved in control of disease including antimicrobial treatment. MANAGEMENT Dr. Michael McGilliard, Professor of Dairy Science. Research involving dairy records, economics, computers, and statistics. Relationships among management strategies, production records, financial records, and profit in the dairy herd. Techniques of making decisions. Modeling and simulation. Use of microcomputers in management. Design and analysis of experiments. Dr. Robert E. James, Professor of Dairy Science. Management projects with the research herd and cooperator herds in Virginia. Feeding and management systems applied to calf and young stock raising. Prediction of ration intake in heifers. Evaluation of bypass protein sources and heifer growth. Management of the pre-partum dairy cow. OTHER TEACHING AND EXTENSION faculty and staff members contribute significantly to graduate programs as experienced consultants. They include: Mr. Shane Brannock, Director, Virginia Tech Dairy Complex. Coordinator and manager of research, teaching, and extension activities at the Dairy Cattle Center. Mr. David R. Winston, Lecturer in Dairy Science and Extension Dairy Scientist, 4-H Youth. Coordinator of state dairy youth program. Youngstock management practices for dairy producers and professional dairy heifer growers. STUDENTS INTERESTED IN PURSUING GRADUATE STUDIES IN DAIRY SCIENCE AT VIRGINIA TECH SHOULD CORRESPOND DIRECTLY WITH A FACULTY MEMBER LISTED ABOVE OR WRITE TO: Dr. Michael
Akers, Department Head |
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Last updated: 06.08.07 |