Virginia Tech Appoints Trusted Advocate for Animal Research and Welfare
Katie LaVallee has been appointed interim university attending veterinarian and director of the Animal Resources and Care Division at Virginia Tech. Beginning December 1, LaVallee will oversee the well-being of animals used in research, testing, and teaching across the university, ensuring their care aligns with the highest ethical and scientific standards.
A Commitment to Animal Welfare and Scientific Excellence
“I’ve had the opportunity to interact with numerous investigators and research staff at Virginia Tech, which has helped me understand and appreciate the diversity of animal-based research and teaching activities conducted at our land-grant institution,” LaVallee said. “I’m very excited to continue working with researchers in this new capacity, helping them to utilize best practices when working with animals used in research and teaching, navigate the complexities of regulatory oversight, and support the success of their animal-based research programs.”
LaVallee’s role will involve overseeing a comprehensive animal care program that prioritizes the humane treatment and well-being of animals used in research and education. This includes ensuring proper housing, nutrition, veterinary care, and enrichment for all animals under the university’s care.
“We are delighted to have Katie lead the division that is responsible for ensuring the health, welfare, and humane use of animals in research and teaching,” said Dan Sui, Virginia Tech’s senior vice president and chief research and innovation officer. “She brings a wealth of experience from her time in academia and industry, and we look forward to working with her to advance our strategic plan for research that involves animals.”
As senior vice president, Sui is also the institutional official for animal welfare at Virginia Tech, underscoring the university’s commitment to ethical and responsible animal research.
From Laboratory to Leadership: A Journey in Animal Care
Prior to her arrival at Virginia Tech in 2023 as a senior research veterinarian, LaVallee gained extensive experience in laboratory animal medicine at prestigious institutions. Her impressive resumé includes roles as a laboratory animal veterinarian at Wake Forest School of Medicine/Atrium Health and the renowned Mayo Clinic.
She also served as the director of laboratory animal medicine at ReAlta Life Sciences, a clinical stage biotechnology company in Norfolk, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing scientific research while upholding the highest ethical standards for animal care.
“When I first visited Tech, I was immediately drawn to the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere of the community here. Everyone I interacted with was not only supportive but also genuinely enthusiastic about their work. It really stood out to me as a place where I could thrive, contribute, and grow alongside others. I thought it would be a place I’d like to call home,” LaVallee said.
LaVallee is also a diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and serves on several committees within organized veterinary medicine, highlighting her dedication to professional development and staying at the forefront of animal welfare science. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Missouri.
Partnering for Success: A Collaborative Approach to Animal Research
LaVallee’s leadership will extend beyond the Animal Resources and Care Division. She is eager tocollaborate with researchers across the Virginia Tech landscape to help them achieve individual success while contributing to the university’s collective research goals.
“Whether researchers are new to the university, starting new research programs, or expanding current programs into new areas, we’re here to ensure they can do the best science possible by supporting them with necessary knowledge and resources at every turn,” LaVallee said.
Her commitment to partnering with researchers reflects the university’s dedication to facilitating groundbreaking discoveries while prioritizing the ethical treatment of animals. LaVallee’s appointment reinforces Virginia Tech’s position as a leader in animal-based research, committed to both scientific advancement and compassionate animal care.
What specific initiatives or programs will Dr. LaVallee’s team implement to ensure the highest ethical and scientific standards in animal research at Virginia Tech?
## Virginia Tech Prioritizes Animal Welfare with New Appointment
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show, Dr. LaVallee. Congratulations on your new role as Interim University Attending Veterinarian and Director of the Animal Resources and Care Division here at Virginia Tech.
**Dr. LaVallee:** Thank you, it’s an honor to be here and take on this important responsibility.
**Interviewer:** Your background is impressive – from the Mayo Clinic to ReAlta Life Sciences. What drew you to this role at Virginia Tech?
**Dr. LaVallee:** My passion lies in ensuring the well-being of animals used in research and teaching. Virginia Tech’s commitment to ethical and responsible animal research, as exemplified by its emphasis on animal welfare reflected in this appointment [[1](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal-welfare)] truly resonated with me. I’m excited to contribute to an environment where scientific advancement goes hand-in-hand with the humane treatment of animals.
**Interviewer:** Can you tell us more about your role and what it entails?
**Dr. LaVallee:** As Director, I oversee the comprehensive animal care program at Virginia Tech. My team and I are responsible for all aspects of animal welfare, ensuring proper housing, nutrition, veterinary care, enrichment, and adherence to the highest ethical and scientific standards. We collaborate closely with researchers to ensure they understand and implement best practices when working with animals.
**Interviewer:** This appointment highlights Virginia Tech’s commitment to ethical animal research. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. LaVallee:** Absolutely. Virginia Tech takes animal welfare very seriously. Dr. Sui, our Senior Vice President and Chief Research and Innovation Officer, also serves as the institutional official for animal welfare, demonstrating the university’s commitment from the top down.
**Interviewer:** What message do you want to send to the public about Virginia Tech’s approach to animal research?
**Dr. LaVallee:** We understand the public’s concerns about animal welfare in research. We want to assure them that at Virginia Tech, we are dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards and prioritizing the humane treatment of all animals in our care. Transparency and open communication are crucial, and we are committed to keeping the public informed about our animal care practices.