Dr. Robin White is recognized as the 2026 Distinguished Graduate: Science, Education, and Technology for her rigorous scholarship and significant practical contributions. She earned a PhD (2014) and BS (2010) in animal sciences from WSU and currently serves as Professor of Livestock Systems Management at Virginia Tech. Her research at the livestock–environment interface advances sustainable animal production systems in both academic and applied settings.
Over her career, Dr. White has mentored 18 graduate students (8 PhD, 10 MS) and 3 postdoctoral scholars, and has supported 17 undergraduate advisees and 32 undergraduate researchers. As an educator, she has developed and taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, including ruminant nutrition, equine studies, precision animal agriculture, and research-based learning. In addition to her teaching and mentoring, Dr. White has established collaborative research programs and secured $102.8 million in external funding ($6.26 million as principal investigator, $96.3 million as co-principal investigator). She has contributed 228 peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings, abstracts, and book chapters to the field. Her editorial responsibilities and commitment to peer review demonstrate her professional leadership and underscore her dedication to training future animal scientists.
“I have a lot of gratitude for everyone who shaped my time at WSU,” White reflected. In particular, she noted, “Without a doubt, Kris Johnson is at the top of that list for her remarkable ability to teach in ways that stay with you. I still revisit her lessons and understand them more deeply years later. Her commitment to rigor, integrity, and clarity set a standard I aim to follow. I’m grateful she held me to a high bar and pushed for better thinking, clearer communication, and stronger science. That influence continues to shape how I work independently. If I were half as effective as a mentor, my job would be a lot easier.”