May 2023 Inside the Institute Newsletter

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

While attending commencement at another ACC university recently for one of my children, I was reminded of the excitement in the air of late at Virginia Tech with end-of-semester activities, award events, and graduation ceremonies. Of course, none of these exciting affairs would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our students, faculty, research personnel, and staff. 

On my drive back to Blacksburg Sunday night, my mind ran through the many achievements of the life science community that the university and the Fralin Life Sciences Institute serve. It is awe inspiring to see faculty be inducted into the National Academy of Sciences and be recognized as outstanding AP Faculty, students receive national and university awards, and young minds be transformed by impactful outreach activities.  

At the core of these successes is the community’s continuous desire to learn about life sciences at the interfaces of diverse disciplines, which was exemplified at our first annual research resources open house in April. While at first blush things seem to have entered a quieter time around the Institute, there are plenty of venues in the coming months to engage with innovative activities pertaining to novel research, education, and outreach.  

For a taste of achievements and upcoming opportunities of interest, please see the Around the Institute and Around the Centers stories below. As always, it is a joy to be a part of a group of committed folks focused on building the capabilities that will allow Virginia Tech to navigate to frontier research destinations.  

Let’s go Hokies, and let’s go FLSI!