January 2025 Inside the Institute Newsletter

A Message from Rob McCarley
Executive Director, The Fralin Life Sciences Institute

Our performance in a wide range of activities and “where we stand” are measured in many ways, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The Institute is fortunate to be grounded in the hard work, commitment, and amazing accomplishments of students, personnel, and faculty as they lead us toward our vision of researching frontline topics at the interfaces of the life sciences and other disciplines. 

Those collective outcomes yield a stature that is impressive among our land-grant peers, which is continuously being elevated by the presence of giants who stand tall in their fields. 

While the untimely loss of such giants, like Professor John McDowell, or the uncertainty generated by unprecedented events of late impact us on a variety of fronts, it is truly satisfying to see the collective capabilities of the Institute and Virginia Tech morphing and growing through the actions and leadership of Institute affiliates.

Embodied in those efforts are Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community, which shape us all and inspire us to reach even greater heights. Fueled by those in the present and the past, we synergistically build on each other’s foundations as we pursue great things in life sciences research, education, and outreach.

Celebrating the accomplishments from affiliate pursuits is crucial to continued development of our underpinnings and is integral to our personal well-being. From the dirt on which we stand, to the drugs we need to combat disease, to the research expeditions and learning experiences that give us knowledge about creatures in uncharted waters and events in high elevations, to the exhibits that bring us joy and intrigue, the tall stature of FLSI affiliate researchers continues to grow to new levels.

The examples below are just that – a smattering of the many accomplishments that reflect the growing prominence of FLSI affiliates in the context of the breadth of experiences you bring, the challenges you overcome, and the “this is home” community that we are so committed to sustaining.

Let’s go Hokies, and let’s go FLSI!

Around the Institute and Affiliated Centers

Sticking to Healthy Changes with Samantha Harden

Fralin Life Sciences Institute Affiliated Faculty Samantha Harden joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to chat about the science behind developing and keeping healthy habits. Listen now >>> 

New Roles and Faces

Welcome Department of Entomology Professor Igor Sharakhov (left) and School of Plant and Environmental Sciences Professor Jim Westwood, to their new roles as principal scientists for Fralin Hall and Latham Hall, respectively. 

Gustavo Kashiwagi
GlycoMIP Research Scientist

I am a nikkei (Japanese descendant) born in a small town in Argentina. I earned my Chemistry and Ph.D. degrees from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. After completing my Ph.D., I received a postdoctoral fellowship to study the chemical ecology of Triatoma infestans, aimed to develop low-impact vector control strategies through the formulation of behavioral modifiers.

I am now thrilled to join the GlycoMIP team under the supervision of Dr. Richard Helm. I am eager to contribute my best to advancing GlycoMIP’s projects while embracing Virginia Tech’s spirit of Ut Prosim. As an Argentine, I am passionate about soccer 🏆, but I also enjoy making friends through table tennis, biking, and grafting fruit trees.

Around the Research Facilities