Senior Profile: Ryan Pralle
Name: Ryan Pralle
Hometown: Humbird, WI
High School: Osseo-Fairchild High School
Class Size: 88
Farm: Selz-Pralle Dairy
Major: Dairy Science
Why did you decide to attend UW-Madison?
The prestige and leadership of UW-Madison as a leader in agricultural research and extension made it the obvious choice for me. My entire life the words “how” and “why” have given me an eagerness to understand underlying mechanisms of physiological processes and how they are used to construct effective management strategies.
What has been your most memorable college experience?
This past summer I was awarded a grant, the Farrington Award, which allowed me to execute a research project under the supervision of Heather White, Ph.D. The subject of my research is the role of the protein PNPLA3 in whole cow energy balance during the transition period. It has been an exciting experience that has allowed me to grow not only as a professional, but as a dairy academic.
What has been your favorite course?
Dairy Science 305: Lactation physiology has been one of my favorite classes. The course integrated my knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, and management into creating the “white gold” we get from the dairy cow.
What are your future career goals?
My current ambition is to continue my education in graduate school and pursue a career in academia. It is my dream to discover and disseminate knowledge to students and producers.