College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Graduate student team prevails at national GeoLeague Challenge

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The team of geography and forestry graduate students took home Virginia Tech's second consecutive title in the competition, sponsored by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.

Real estate degree program receives final approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The degree will transcend traditional college boundaries as a comprehensive, interdisciplinary academic program that will be a partnership amoung six colleges at the university. Student can enroll in the program for fall 2013.

High school biology students learn about the physics of flying by studying flight paths of animals and microbes

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech's David Schmale, associate professor in food safety and plant biosecurity, is teaching students at the Roanoke Valley Governor's School how to uncover the mysteries of man-made mechanical flight by studying animals and pathogens that fly.

Extraordinary Employee Helen Williams has served the citizens of Amherst County for 55 years

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Annual Garden Gala to be held June 8 at Hahn Horticulture Garden

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The gala helps support the Hahn Horticulture Garden's mission of education and outreach.

Nicolin Girmes-Grieco garners Certificate of Teaching Excellence award

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Nicolin Girmes-Grieco, an instructor in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, will receive the Certificate of Teaching Excellence award on May 18, 2013, during the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences commencement ceremony.

Students will use summer break to work on winning technological concepts that help deter human trafficking worldwide

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Three University Honors students -- Wes Williams, Nicholas Montgomery, and Kwamina Orleans-Pobee -- won first and second place in Campus Challenge run by USAID and partnering anti-trafficking agencies. The team developed two technological concepts to help deter human trafficking worldwide.

The HHMI-funded Scieneering program celebrates its first set of graduates

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The Scieneering program, funded by a prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Science Education Grant awarded in 2010, is celebrating its first cohort of graduates.

World-renowned insect geneticist to deliver lecture at Fralin Life Science Institute

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Insect geneticist Jean-Luc Imler will present a special lecture entitled "Antiviral immunity in 'Drosophila'" at 3:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, in the Fralin Life Science Institute auditorium. His research focuses on evolutionarily conserved aspects of immune response using fruit flies as a model organism.

Graduation countdown: As students complete exams, preparations for 2013 spring commencement ceremonies are underway

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech will provide live streaming video of both the Graduate School Commencement and University Commencement ceremonies off the university homepage.

New workshop offered for beginning beekeepers

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The 12-hour workshop in May covers all the basics for beekeeping start-ups

Work of two undergraduate students recognized at regional research symposium

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Jancarla Ocampo, a sophomore majoring in biological sciences, took first place in the poster competition. Alysha Simmons, a junior majoring in animal and poultry sciences and biological sciences, won second place in the oral competition.

Dairy science students place second in the dairy challenge competition

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

A team of Virginia Tech dairy science students placed second in the 12th annual North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge.

General education curriculum revision proposal for undergraduate students available for the university community to review and provide feedback

Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The "Proposal for an Integrated General Education Curriculum at Virginia Tech" emerged from a series of discussions held by faculty, students, and staff over the past three years, as there was a call for change to the current Curriculum for Liberal Education.

Dining Services increases sustainability efforts

Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

In 2012, dining collected and diverted more than 548 tons of compostable waste from the regional landfill -- that’s more than 1 million pounds of material composted in just one year.

Shelley Duke will receive Virginia Tech's highest honor

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The 2013 recipient of Virginia Tech's highest honor, the William H. Ruffner Medal, is Michele "Shelley" Duke of Middleburg, Va., who is being recognized for the substantial difference she has made to the university through her volunteer service and support.

Graduate profile: Future is bright for senior who made unexpected discoveries, completed two degrees

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Rebeca Salmeron, a senior double majoring in animal and poultry sciences and dairy science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will be among the students graduating Friday, May 17. Where she goes from here is anybody's guess, but one thing is certain -- her future is full of opportunities.

4-H and FFA members compete in 2013 State Stockman's and 4-H Quiz Bowl contests

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The Rockbridge County 4-H team won the senior division and will represent Virginia at the National 4-H Stockman's Contest at the North American Livestock Exposition.

Virginia Cooperative Extension agents receive 2013 Alumni Award for Outreach Excellence (team achievement)

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The award recognizes outstanding contributions by Virginia Tech faculty members who have extended the university's outreach mission throughout the commonwealth, the nation, and the world.

Students recognized for their commitment to civic engagement

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Two students were awarded $750 each from the new John E. Dooley Student Engagement Grant program to support community-based civic engagement projects.

Team of faculty and students advances to final round in Casey Trees Foundation competition

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

A multidiciplinary team made up of faculty and students from three colleges at Virginia Tech is among four teams in the final round that will present master plan designs to the Casey Tree Foundation.

Swiss science and technology counselor Christoph Ebell to deliver 2013 Graduate School Commencement address

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The Graduate School Commencement ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Cassell Coliseum. Approximately 1,000 Virginia Tech graduate students are expected to complete their degree requirements this spring and participate in the ceremony.

Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger to give 2013 University Commencement address May 17

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

University Commencement will begin at noon. More than 5,000 graduates will be honored at this ceremony. The ceremony will be streamed live on the university homepage.

Graduate Teaching Scholar Program moves into second year with a new class of students

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The program provides graduate students in their first or second year of a Ph.D. program the opportunity to hone teaching skills and become captains of the classroom as inspiring and well-rounded educators, mentors, and leaders.

Study shows human-wildlife microbe exchange and multidrug resistance in wildlife in protected areas in Africa

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The research team found that multidrug resistance among banded mongoose at the Botswana study site was higher in animals that live in a protected area than in village areas.

Dianne Bourne receives 2013 President's Award for Excellence

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Dianne Bourne is recognized for having made many significant contributions that are not customary for laboratory personnel.

Cicada 'invasion' bugs some, excites others

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Soon the East Coast will experience infestations of small beings with blood-orange bulging eyes and bodies that can generate noise as thunderous as roaring motorcycle engines. But fear not. According to the manager of Virginia Cooperative Extension's Insect Identification Laboratory, the bugs are harmless (mostly).

Three-person interdisciplinary team receives 2013 XCaliber Award

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The team's innovative cyber game challenges students in genetic and economic principles.

Golab stops in Blacksburg, Kids Tech University to host family science program April 27

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Sponsored by the Kids' Tech University program, the Golab visit is part of a broader U.S. tour that showcases the latest in scientific instrumentation.

Trailblazing environmental sciences major celebrates milestone

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

"This is a major for students who are passionate about science and realize the value of such an education," said Tom Thompson, head of the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences.

Student athletic trainers keep Hokie athletes moving

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

"Many of our students go on to be doctors, physician assistants, physical therapists, and professional athletic trainers, and they say that their experience here was invaluable," said Renee Selberg-Eaton, the undergraduate program director for the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise.

Shasta R. Sowers named 2013 Outstanding Graduating Senior in College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Shasta Sowers' undergraduate activities have taken her Asia and Central America.

New Extension e-books on groundcovers, boxwoods, and food storage guidelines are now available

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Cooperative Extension has three new free e-books available for download.

11th annual Undergraduate Research Conference to be held April 19

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Almost 100 students will present their research and creative scholarship at the 11th annual Undergraduate Research Conference on Friday, April 19. Family, friends, those affiliated with the university, and the greater community are welcome to attend.

Photos: Sycamore clone to be planted on Henderson Lawn

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech's sycamore is still standing by way of its clone, and the DNA is in it

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

On April 22, at 11:30 a.m., Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger will preside over a town-gown celebration on Henderson Lawn with Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam to plant a clone of the sycamore tree that once stood there.

Students develop skills and build relationships through summer undergraduate research programs

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The scholar's program is 10 weeks long, during the summer and ends with a multidisciplinary symposium where students present posters and abstracts. In 2013, six students will be funded and the symposium will be held on July 31.

Research team creates potential food source from non-food plants

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

This new development opens the door to the potential that food could be created from any plant, reducing the need for crops to be grown on valuable land that requires fertilizers, pesticides, and large amounts of water.

Karen DeBord continues career in Extension with new position

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

In this position, Karen DeBord will provide Extension agents with research-based information about family and human development topics that agents can pass on to members of the communities they serve. DeBord's research covers topics like helping children deal with stress and choosing a child care provider.

One of a kind: Glassblower's work keeps research moving

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Scientists at Virginia Tech have a competitive research advantage from an unlikely source -- a glassblower. Tom Wertalik, a master glassblower with the Department of Chemistry, can create scientific glass in-house, which saves not only money, but also time, allowing research to continue and for experimental modifications to be made quickly.

Researchers find Salmonella to be more resilient than originally thought

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech scientists have provided new evidence that biofilms -- bacteria that adhere to surfaces and build protective coatings -- are at work in the survival of the human pathogen Salmonella.

Undergraduate student represents university as its first Presidential Fellow

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Austin Larrowe is Virginia Tech's first Presidential Fellow through the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. He is researching how international agriculture education may be a tool for national security.

University awarded $1.59 million to pursue agricultural research in developing countries

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech has won a total of $1.59 million for three federal contracts to continue agricultural research in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Nepal. The awards represent a vote of confidence in development work that has been ongoing since 1993.

George E. Russell, Winston and Marilyn Samuels named to College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 2013 Hall of Fame

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

"We are stronger today because of the work they have done on behalf of the university and the college," said Alan Grant, dean of the college.

Breakthrough in hydrogen fuel production could revolutionize alternative energy market

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

"Our new process could help end our dependence on fossil fuels," said Y.H. Percival Zhang, an associate professor of biological systems engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering. "Hydrogen is one of the most important biofuels of the future."

John L. Koontz receives College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Recent Alumni Award

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

A principle investigator and chemist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in Bedford Park, Ill., John L. Koontz earned his bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctoral degrees food science and technology.

Video: Students visit Nepal to examine intersection of culture and agriculture

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

"You learn a lot in a classroom about the way the world works," said Julia Gillespie of Ashburn, Va., a junior majoring in environmental science. "But there's nothing quite like getting out into the world and experiencing it firsthand."

Graduate School names outstanding master's, doctoral degree students for each college

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Annually, the Graduate School selects a student from each college who exemplifies graduate education at Virginia Tech.

Laura Gambrel, Justin Lemkul receive 2013 Outstanding Dissertation Award

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Two awards are given each year; one in science and engineering, the other in humanities and social sciences. The awards are based on originality of the idea, contributions to the field, presentation of the ideas, and the quality of writing.

Financial planning program wins kudos from students, alumni, and industry professionals

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The undergraduate program, which educates financial planners and prepares them for Certified Financial Planner certification, is listed among the top 25 programs in Financial Planning magazine and cited as one of the top two programs in Financial Advisor magazine.