October 2024 Inside the Institute Newsletter
A Message from Rob McCarley
Executive Director, The Fralin Life Sciences Institute
October has been a bustling month of folks connecting and illustrating the role and impact of powerful collaborations and partnerships, especially those aligned with Virginia Tech's Global Distinction efforts. Several key events and activities have placed the Fralin Life Science Institute’s research centers in the spotlight lately, including scientific conferences and our Fralin Friday series.
Kudos go out to the Global Change Center and the Translational Plant Sciences Center (TPSC) for hosting two recent Fralin Friday gatherings. These opportunities for learning more about community-focused research initiatives continue, as we look forward to the Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens (CeZAP) hosting the next gathering on November 22nd at 10 AM in the Steger Hall atrium.
On the topic of CeZAP, it is important to acknowledge the tremendous work of Professor Kylene Kehn-Hall and Sarah Gouger for helping put on CeZAP’s annual infectious disease symposium in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Virginia Branch of the American Society for Microbiology. This inaugural partnership event boasted a record attendance of 300, bringing together students, faculty, and professionals working in the infectious disease space from across the Commonwealth and beyond.
Please check out the recap symposium video produced by FLSI student videographer Maxwell Mandell. I also want to shine a light on a concept launched this month by Professor David Schmale and Jordan Bass of TPSC. Called Kōrero—this monthly recurring event—is Māori for "to talk," "to speak," or "to hold a discussion." David has been eager to integrate it into our Institute community since learning of its power to catalyze discussions and open new avenues, while studying as a Fulbright Scholar in New Zealand.
An important aspect of these events and activities that really resonates with me is honoring cultural differences and engendering new ideas and directions. One of our stories below, Community embedded ecologist helps bridge gap between researchers and locals, is a wonderful example of partnerships and Kōrero at work.
These collaborative engagement opportunities remind us to pause, listen, and participate in dialogue that broadens our knowledge base, deepens relationships, empowers communities, and celebrates diverse perspectives.
Let’s go Hokies, and let’s go FLSI!
