About
Dr. Pratt obtained his B.S. in Animal and Veterinary Science from West Virginia University and his M.S. at Clemson University where his research focused on reproductive management of beef cattle. Dr. Pratt received his Ph.D. in the Department of Animal Sciences from the University of Missouri was and awarded an NIH Individual National Research Service Award during his post-doc at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. His doctoral and post-doctoral work focused on cellular growth and differentiation. Prior to his faculty appointment in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Science, Dr. Pratt was employed in the biotech industry for 10 years and served as a principal scientist for a poultry transgenics company whose interests were to produce pharmaceutical peptides in poultry eggs, followed by Principle Scientist and Director of Research of pig and cattle cloning operations for a second company. During his stint in the biotechnology industry, Dr. Pratt also held an appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Science at the University of Georgia. Dr. Pratt returned to Clemson University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and has risen to the rank of Professor. His research focuses on molecular aspects and use of assisted reproductive technologies; and regulation of fetal growth and development.
For more information, see his college profile.
How their research is transforming health care
The lack of proper placental function, known as placental insufficiency, can negatively impact fetal growth and development, which in turn can increase the incidence of fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. The use of assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF, can cause or exacerbate the incidence of placental insufficiency. Pratt’s research in identifying molecules associated with reproductive dysfunction will aid in determining specific markers present in maternal circulation that will be diagnostic of placental insufficiency. Identification of marker molecules released by the placenta will allow for examination of the specific developmental mechanisms that cause of placental insufficiency.
Health Research Expertise Keywords
Faculty Scholar, Fetal growth, microRNA, assisted reproductive technologies, cell signaling, gene expression, extracellular vesicles
