Taylor Chosen to Lead Davis College Division of Animal and
Nutritional Sciences
Robert L. Taylor, Jr. will join the West Virginia
A native of Virginia, he holds academic degrees
University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural from Carson-Newman College, Auburn University
Resources and Design as director of its Division of and Mississippi State University.
Animal and Nutritional Sciences.
The Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences
“Dr. Taylor will further propel the Division offers two undergraduate degrees in animal and
towards great opportunities to advance the nutritional sciences, a bachelor of science in
development of animal agriculture in West Virginia agriculture and a bachelor of science, a bachelor
and beyond, to bring new science and technology of science in human nutrition and foods, and a
to bear on the same, to broaden the scope of human bachelor of science in biochemistry, offered jointly
nutrition, food science and dietetics, to engage with with the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
stakeholders across the state, and make an impact Undergraduates can also pursue minors in equine
worldwide in all we do,” said Daniel Robison, dean management, food service production, and food
of the Davis College.
science and technology. The Division is home to
the Davis-Michael Scholars Program, a rigorous,
Taylor is currently a professor of animal science innovative program for undergraduates who plan
at the University of New Hampshire where his to pursue medical or veterinary school.
efforts have focused on poultry immunology and
genetics. He has provided oversight to research
At the graduate level, students can pursue
farms, led an array of local, regional and national master’s degrees in animal physiology, nutritional
level initiatives for the university and USDA, and and food sciences, and reproductive physiology.
been very active in professional societies, including Doctoral programs are available in agricultural
his current service as president of the USA Branch biochemistry, animal nutrition, animal physiology,
of the World Poultry Association.
animal production, food science, and reproductive
physiology. The Division is also home to WVU’s
“He is a terrific scientist, academic thinker and Graduate Dietetic Internship.
leader, and a strong proponent of the importance
of food and agriculture in our communities and
Faculty, staff and students can pursue teaching,
worldwide,” Robison said. “Dr. Taylor will assume research and service at the Animal Science Farm
the leadership of the division at a key juncture in in Morgantown, the Reymann Memorial Farm in
the life of the Davis College, as we complete our Wardensville, and the Reedsville Farm. WVU’s
new Agricultural Sciences Building, ramp up our Organic Research Farm in Morgantown also
farm and laboratory efforts, translate the science incorporates animal agriculture into its portfolio.
of food into better nutrition, and find new ways to
collaborate across the wide spectrum of disciplines
Research centers include the Rumen Fermentation
in the college and across the university. We are Profiling Laboratory, which examines feed quality
thrilled that he will be joining us.”
and digestibility for producers. The West Virginia
Small Ruminant Project provides research and
“The Division of Animal and Nutritional outreach for the state’s sheep and goat industries.
Sciences and the Davis College of Agriculture, The Veterinary Radiology Consultation Service
Natural Resources and Design are positioned helps animal care providers interpret images
to engage students and stakeholders through related to patient care.
teaching, research and outreach,” Taylor said. “I
am enthusiastic about the opportunities to build
the relationships needed to advance the land grant
mission at West Virginia University.”
24 West Virginia Farm