Eric Wong honored with emeritus status
Eric Wong, professor of animal science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of professor emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The emeritus title may be conferred on retired faculty members who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.
A member of the Virginia Tech community for more than 33 years, Wong made significant research contributions to poultry molecular biology focusing on the role of the intestine and yolk sac in nutrient uptake and host defense, which resulted in more than 250 peer-reviewed papers and abstracts. In addition, he served as a section editor and on the editorial board for the journal Poultry Science and served on numerous grant review panels including those for the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Binational Agriculture and Research Development Fund.
Wong held the John W. Hancock Professorship in Animal Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences from 2008-23. In the classroom, he taught a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of molecular biology, biotechnology, and poultry science. He was involved in the launch of the university’s molecular cell biology and biotechnology graduate program.
Throughout his career, Wong served as a mentor and advisor for numerous undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral research associates, and helped them develop successful careers in both academia and industry.
Wong received his bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. from the University of California at San Diego. He completed postdoctoral work at the University of Utah with Mario Capecchi, professor of human genetics and recipient of the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine.
