Katie LaVallee to lead Animal Resources and Care Division
As interim university attending veterinarian and director of the Animal Resources and Care Division, LaVallee is responsible for overseeing the care and use of animals used in research, testing, and teaching across Virginia Tech.
Katie LaVallee has been appointed interim university attending veterinarian and director of the Animal Resources and Care Division.
Effective Dec. 1, LaVallee is responsible for overseeing the care and use of animals used in research, testing, and teaching across Virginia Tech.
“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,” said LaVallee, who joined Virginia Tech as a senior research veterinarian in 2023. “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.”
In her new role, LaVallee is charged with ensuring the highest standards of well-being and care of animals across the university through a combination of oversight, direction, and support. She also will assist the continued growth of leading research and education programs at 11 Agriculture Research Extension Centers across the commonwealth.
“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,” 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.
Prior to her arrival in Blacksburg, LaVallee worked as a laboratory animal veterinarian at academic institutions including Wake Forest School of Medicine/Atrium Health and Mayo Clinic. She also served as the director of laboratory animal medicine at ReAlta Life Sciences, a clinical stage biotechnology company in Norfolk.
“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. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Missouri.
She said she’s very excited to partner with researchers across the Virginia Tech landscape to help them achieve individual success and the university reach its collective goal.
“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.
