John Lee Pratt Graduate Fellowship Program

John Lee Pratt graduate fellowships offer M.S. and Ph.D. candidates in Animal Nutrition the opportunity to contribute to some of the exciting research now being pursued at Virginia Tech in the areas of food animal and equine nutrition.

The fellowships are made available through a bequest of John Lee Pratt for “promoting the study of animal nutrition, and to provide equipment and materials for experiments in feeding and the preparation of feeds for livestock and poultry and to publish and disseminate the practical results thereby obtained.”

A Pratt Fellow receives a stipend plus tuition. The stipend increases each year, and a step raise is given upon completion of the M.S. or of preliminary exams. Additionally, funds are provided to support the student's research program. The fellowship is awarded for 24 months of continuous enrollment for the M.S. and for 36 months of continuous enrollment for the Ph.D., provided progress toward the degree is satisfactory. The selection of fellows is based on potential for creative research as evidenced by past research experience, written and oral communications skills, academic achievement, and references.

Eligibility

Students pursing an M.S. or Ph.D. in animal nutrition in the following colleges are eligible:

  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • College of Natural Resources
  • Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

Application Procedures

Request application instructions from:

Dr. Sharron Quisenberry, Dean
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
104 Hutcheson Hall (0402)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-4152

To apply, send copies of:

  • Graduate school application
  • College transcripts
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score for foreign students
  • Vita
  • Letter describing research and career interests in animal nutrition
  • Copy of scientific article or other evidence of scholarly writing
  • Three letters of reference emphasizing potential as an M.S. or Ph.D. candidate.

*Application for the John Lee Pratt Fellowship does not constitute an application to the university to pursue graduate studies. Instructions for applying for admission to the Virginia Tech Graduate School are available online at www.grads.vt.edu, by telephoning (540) 231- 7581, or by writing to Virginia Tech Graduate School, Sandy Hall (0325), Blacksburg, VA 24061.

Programs in Animal Nutrition Research

  • Faculty members conduct nutrition research with beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine using modern biotechnology and conventional laboratory techniques in controlled animal facilities and in field production systems.
  • Research continues to reassess the energy, amino acid, mineral, and vitamin needs of modern growing, finishing, and reproducing ruminants. The influence of nutrition and several environmental factors on performance and immune response is being studied in ruminants and nonruminants.
  • Neural and hormonal control of food (energy and protein) and water intake, and factors affecting these, are being studied primarily in poultry. Nutrient management to reduce nutrient excretion by poultry and swine is being investigated with an emphasis on the reduction of phosphorous waste through the use of phytase to improve phytate phosphorous utilization.
  • Studies of gastrointestinal physiology, primarily with proteins, peptides, and amino acids, determine the impact of endogenous and exogenous factors on digestion, absorption, and transport. The biochemical role of minerals and vitamins in steroid-directed gene expression is being characterized.
  • Animal wastes, seafood processing residues, and other underutilized materials and by-products are being examined as potential sources of feeds for ruminants and nonruminants. The influence of the chemical form of the mineral in mineral utilization by pigs is being studied. Forage utilization for high and low production, as well as mineral metabolism in ruminants, is emphasized.
  • Growth and development, whole-body protein metabolism, and partitioning of nutrients as influenced by hormonal and nutritional factors are major areas of interest in ruminant studies. As the opportunities arise, new feed additives and other growth-promoting agents are being evaluated for most species.
  • Equine research efforts are directed toward the development of nutritional programs that maximize the use of forage and the effects of nutrition on exercise physiology. The use of high-protein corn for pigs and poultry is being evaluated. Hormonal control of liver and adipose metabolism, as well as calcium availability, is being investigated in lactating dairy cattle. In addition, energy partitioning is being studied for milk synthesis and metabolic response to various sources of dietary long-chain fatty acids.
  • Research is also being conducted to examine pasture-based dairy and beef cattle systems to optimize profitability, product quality, and animal health while minimizing environmental impact. Products derived from these animals, such as milk and beef, are being studied in humans to determine beneficial effects on oxidative status and immunity as they relate to disease prevention and management.
  • Vitamin and trace-mineral nutrition is being studied in a variety of animals to determine how these nutrients relate to production and animal health. The program focuses on the relationships between trace nutrients and cellular oxidative functions as they impact both immunocompetence and nutrient utilization. Development of optimal supplementation strategies based on understanding the mechanistic role of trace nutrients in production and disease prevention is an ongoing goal.

Prospective Students