Graduate stands in academic regalia in front of Burruss Hall on the Virginia Tech campus.
Nicole Valliere-Kopetzky in her doctoral regalia on the lawn by Burruss Hall. Photo courtesy of Nicole Valliere-Kopetzky.

Name: Nicole Valliere-Kopetzky

College: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Degree: Ph.D. in animal and poultry sciences

Hometown: Mocksville, North Carolina

Why was Virginia Tech the right place for your graduate research?
Virginia Tech was a logical next step for me to continue my academic career after completing my master’s degree at NC State University under the advisement of Dr. Andrew Weaver.

Dr. Weaver completed his master’s degree with Dr. Scott Greiner at Virginia Tech. Throughout my work with Dr. Weaver, we regularly collaborated with Virginia Tech both through Dr. Greiner in the (now) School of Animal Sciences and the Southwest Virginia AREC in Glade Spring, where they managed a flock of sheep. Dr. Greiner had supported me throughout my master’s work, so I felt that I was in great hands coming to Virginia Tech. The facilities located at the Southwest Virginia AREC also allowed me to complete the feed efficiency research that I was interested in, and the team there has always been so inviting and hard-working.

What are your career goals after completing your degree?
I am thrilled to announce that I have accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Animal Science at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN, after graduation. I am incredibly excited to get to work with a motivated team and continue sharing my love for the industry with the next generation of animal science students.

How has graduate school changed the way you think as a scientist?
Graduate school has expanded my thinking in ways I never thought it would. Starting this journey, all graduate students are one-track-minded because we get so excited about our topic of interest. Along the way, you are able to expand your scope and realize that we have a lot to learn from one another, whether you share the same concentration and species interests or not. Collaboration and networking are key to being successful in this industry. Working with others from all sides of this industry has really expanded my horizons and allowed me to become a well-rounded academic.

How do you explain your research to someone outside your field?
I have been blessed over the course of my academic career to work directly with sheep producers across the Southeastern U.S. through extension outreach efforts. Therefore, I learned fairly quickly how to communicate science to producers in a meaningful way that applies to their sheep operations.

My general research interest is work that can directly impact producers and improve the sheep industry as a whole. Working with extension professionals throughout graduate school has allowed me to build connections with county agents and producers who have boots on the ground every day and hopefully gain more insight into what we need to be working on the academic side to improve production and profitability.

What’s a misconception people have about your area of study?
The sheep industry is sometimes overshadowed in the United States by other animal industries that are producing a more popular product for consumers. Lamb is not commonly brought up when someone asks, “What do you want for dinner?” Sheep producers across the nation are looking to change this. The applicable research being conducted not only here at Virginia Tech, but also collaboratively with countless other universities, aims to optimize sheep production and incentivize young producers to get involved in an industry that has a lot of growth potential in the coming years.

What kind of impact do you hope to have in animal sciences long-term?
My biggest goal moving forward is to inspire the next generation of animal scientists and pour my love of the industry into them, as was done for me. Without the numerous individuals who came before and showed me that it was possible to make a difference in the sheep industry, I would not have found my passion for teaching and extension. Therefore, I hope to give back as much as I can to future students and sheep producers alike.

What will you miss about Blacksburg or Virginia Tech ?
Blacksburg has been home for the past three years, and it will always have a special place in my heart. This is the town where I experienced so much growth both personally and professionally. And it is also where my husband and I shared our first home. I will miss the camaraderie that the Hokies bring to any event, Cabo Fish Taco, and especially my second home, the Southwest Virginia AREC.

Researcher stands in a pasture with a flock of sheep giving a thumbs-up.
Valliere-Kopetzky works with sheep at the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Glade Spring during her M.S. research with NC State and Virginia Tech. Photo courtesy of Nicole Valliere-Kopetzky.


Instructor demonstrates parasite identification using a microscope during a Virginia Tech Extension workshop, with a slide showing internal parasites of ruminants.
Valliere-Kopetzky leads a Fecal Egg Count and Parasite Management workshop for the Pulaski County 4-H Livestock Club. Photo courtesy of Nicole Valliere-Kopetzky.