November 2024 Inside the Institute Newsletter

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

The month of November tends to be a busy one on the Virginia Tech campus, with many important announcements being made, proposal and course due dates being met, and this year, some unexpected challenges presented, which portend uncertainty. 

During these times, it is crucial to reflect on long-term goals and disseminate outcomes that continuously move us closer to those North stars, while being thankful for everything folks are giving to help us get there, in the context of everyone’s individual challenges — personal and professional. 

After reading this newsletter, I am confident you will find the great impact and value of FLSI affiliate accomplishments on the life sciences communities around the world. Your constant hard work and commitment, as evidenced in the FLSI FY 2024 summary graphic, help catalyze Virginia Tech's overall efforts to attain Global Distinction, with outcomes from those efforts presented by Senior Vice President Dan Sui at this week’s Board of Visitor’s meeting.

I can think of no better encapsulation of what it takes to help the FLSI and the university toward that goal than the photograph below of Center for Ecological Forecasting members while leading an international collaborative workshop in Australia at the time of this writing. 

Similarly, in breaking news, Julie Allen, biological sciences professor in the College of Science, and her team were just informed they won the global XPRIZE Challenge competition.

These and the accomplishments and recognitions discussed below—ranging from observation of aerosols containing plastic particles, gaining new insights into microbial resistance, receiving kudos for helping better inform us about contentious environmental issues, effectively communicating to the public environmental impacts on aquatic life—are just a smattering of what our FLSI community is all about. Furthering that community and its importance in the coming days is a Fralin Friday hosted by the Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens (CeZAP) in Steger Hall November 22 at 10 am. Please come and learn about this important FLSI center and how its affiliates are impacting Virginia Tech on numerous fronts. 

As we think about the upcoming holidays, I want to recognize the efforts of everyone in the Institute and thank them for their commitment as we come together to catalyze, collaborate, and communicate some of the most important and cutting-edge research and scholarship, and educational and engagement opportunities at the interfaces of the life sciences and other disciplines. 

We have much to be thankful for in the Institute in the context of the many obstacles our community members have overcome on their pathways to success. I anticipate many external FLSI stakeholders will deeply appreciate these important outcomes and likely give back through partnerships and potential gifts in the coming months. 

Let’s go Hokies, and let’s go FLSI!