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DLACS Faculty

Craig Thatcher

Craig Douglas Thatcher, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate, ACVN

Professor
Clinical Nutrition
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
 
e-mail: cthatche@vt.edu
Capsule Biography (PDF)

Education

1982 Ph.D., Nutritional Physiology
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
1981 D.V.M., Veterinary Medicine
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
1976 M.S., Nutritional Physiology
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
1974 B.S., Animal Husbandry and Agriculture
Delaware Valley College of Science, Doylestown, PA

Board Certification

1989 Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Nutrition (by examination)

Research Interests

  • Trace Mineral Nutrition
  • Body Composition
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Obesity
  • Equine Laminitis
  • Equine Recurrent Airway Obstruction
  • NSF funded IGERT grant on Macromolecular Interfaces with Life Sciences (MILES)

Since obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in the United States in both humans and animals, Dr. Craig Thatcher and his colleagues in the Veterinary Nutrition Laboratory investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and chronic veterinary and human diseases, which is supported by a multidisciplinary National Science Foundation (NSF) Integrated Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) titled Macromolecular Interfaces with Life Sciences: Oxidative Processes (MILES; http://www.chem.vt.edu/milesigert/).

  1. Studying whether oxidative stress associated with companion animal (dog and cat) obesity and nutritional intervention strategies. Dr. Thatcher and his associates are studying the relationships between changes in oxidative stress and changes in the physiologic markers of obesity. Various intervention protocols known to reduce oxidative stress (weight reduction, antioxidant supplementation) and to increase oxidative stress (i.e., overfeeding) are tested to determine the impact on parameters of oxidative stress in obesity. The results are improving our understanding of obesity and its' co-morbidities in both humans and companion animals.
  2. Examining the relationship between obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and oxidative stress/inflammation in horses. There is little scientifically valid information on the prevalence of obesity in horses, nor a complete understanding of the relationships between obesity, insulin resistance, oxidative stress/inflammation and risk of diseases such as laminitis. Dr. Thatcher's research with a subpopulation of horses in Virginia will lay the foundation for the development of effective management tools for the treatment and prevention of obesity and its' co-morbidities in horses.
  3. Observing oxidative stress associated with an equine model of human asthma. Chronic airway inflammation and oxidative stress is a key feature of horses affected by recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and human patients suffering from asthma. RAO like asthma is a globally distributed disease characterized by wheezing, coughing and bronchial hyper-reactivity, which in many cases hinders the quality of life and level of performance of affected horses. An oxidant/antioxidant imbalance may play a role in the pathogenesis of RAO disease. RAO-associated oxidative stress may cause lipid membrane peroxidation, protein oxidation and DNA damage. Dr. Thatcher lab is conducting studies to better understand the relationship between systemic and pulmonary indices of oxidative stress in RAO-effected horses versus non-affected horses to understand its pathogenesis, and to improve management and treatment of this disease and possibly human asthma.

Professional Experience

1993-present Professor
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Blacksburg, Virginia
1992-2004 Department Head
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Blacksburg, Virginia
1990-1992 Section Chief of Production Management Medicine
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Blacksburg, Virginia
1986-1988 Section Chief of Production Management Medicine
Coordinator of Nutritional Support Service
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Blacksburg, Virginia
1987-1993 Associate Professor with Tenure
Production Management Medicine/Clinical Nutrition
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Blacksburg, Virginia
1983-1987 Assistant Professor
Production Management Medicine/Clinical Nutrition
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Blacksburg, Virginia
1981-1983 Associate Veterinarian in Mixed Animal Practice
Liberty Veterinary Clinic
Liberty, Pennsylvania
1980 Preceptorship student, Little's Veterinary Hospital, (AAHA)
Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Professional Memberships

  • American Veterinary Medical Association (National)
  • Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (State)
  • Virginia Veterinary Medical Association (State)
  • American Association of Bovine Practitioners
  • American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition
  • American College of Veterinary Nutrition
  • American Association of Veterinary Clinicians
  • Virginia Academy of Food Animal Practice
  • Comparative Nutrition Society

Professional Offices Held

  • American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Nutrition Committee, 1986-1987
  • American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Program Committee for 1986 National Convention
  • Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, Food Animal Committee, 1989-1994
  • Evaluator of Essay Question for the 1989 Certification Examination, ACVIM
  • Examination Committee, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, 1989-1995
  • Scientific Program Committee, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, 1989-1992, 1994
  • Scientific Program Committee, American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, 1989-1992
  • Strategic Planning Committee, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, 1992
  • Credentials Committee, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, 1993
  • Vice President, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, 1994
  • Canine-Feline Periodontal Fund Consultation Panel Member, University of Pennsylvania, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1993-1997
  • President-elect, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, 1995
  • President, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, 1996
  • Nominating Committee, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, 1995
  • Chairman, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, 1997
  • Secretary-Treasurer, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, 1997-present