September 2024 Inside the Institute Newsletter
A Message from Rob McCarley
Executive Director, The Fralin Life Sciences Institute
No doubt, it has been a good few weeks for the Hokie Nation! There has been notable fervor to secure Metallica tickets for the group’s epic event at Lane Stadium next May. I can only imagine the anticipation leading up to this signature moment.
On the subject of anticipation, I know many of you are completing major milestones—whether it is defending your Ph.D., submitting critical grant applications, taking challenging exams, or making crucial presentations. Know that this moment is the culmination of your hard work, resilience, and commitment. The anticipation you’re feeling is natural, a reflection of the immense effort you have invested in your journey so far.
Last week, the Fralin Life Sciences Institute Stakeholder Board met for its annual meeting. It was an opportunity to share distinct outcomes and distinctive impacts, but it also gave members a chance to share creative thoughts about high-reward opportunities for elevating institutional influence and reputation as we work together to attain Virginia Tech Global Distinction.
Key to that is recognizing the role postdoctoral associates play in that path, as well as the excellent programs Virginia Tech has to support their mission. It was great to help recently celebrate National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week, while also reflecting on our sustained investment in the university's Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship program. I want to acknowledge the tremendous work of Dr. Chris Smith and that of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for hosting several events to highlight and recognize the excellence our postdoctoral scholars bring to bear.
On behalf of the 350+ faculty, 140 postdoctoral associates, and 775 graduate and 755 undergraduate students affiliated with the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, I want to thank the 270 or so postdoctoral associates at Virginia Tech for their commitment to excellence and professional development. You are the future of our world, and your contributions to Virginia Tech and beyond are incredibly important.
Let’s go Hokies, and let’s go FLSI!
Around the Institute and Affiliated Centers
Curbing the Threat of Invasive Species
Director of the Invasive Species Collaborative Jacob Barney recently joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about invasive species, their impact on native species, and the challenges of managing them.
Around the Research Facilities
The Genomics Sequencing Center (GSC) has updated its Illumina NextSeq Sequencer to a 2000 unit. This improves data output capabilities, turnaround time, and decreases cost. This also allows for use of new illumina Xleap chemistry.
This system gives GSC the flexibility for a fast turnaround for smaller projects. With tunable output and high-data quality, it provides flexibility for whole-genome, transcriptome, and targeted resequencing. NextSeq 2000 can generate up to 1.8 Billion sequencing reads (single reads) on a P4 flow cell.
Learn more about NextSeq Specifications.
New Faces
Andy Baltzegar, Director
Research Services Infrastructure
Welcome to the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Andy, who most recently served as the director of the North Carolina State Genomic Sciences Laboratory.
In this role, he worked with university administration and key stakeholders to grow the laboratory user base, obtain state-of-the-art NGS equipment, and bring enhanced genotyping capabilities for the NC State Plant Sciences Initiative.