Dear friends and colleagues,
As we enter a fall season with continuing uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and challenges on the environmental and world political fronts, here at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, we continue to stay focused on our core missions of discovery, innovation, and translation in the biomedical and health sciences.
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve with increasing impact of variants throughout the world, our dedicated Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory team led by Carla Finkielstein continues PCR testing and whole genome sequencing for the region and the university, while also having developed new approaches to help our health officials rapidly address the identification of variants and emerging new mutations in the virus. Although the pandemic is ongoing, we have extremely high vaccination levels in our research community and are well-prepared for safe, in-person experiences, in addition to virtual ones.
Meanwhile all of our researchers are working hard on their projects and publishing high impact peer-reviewed articles, submitting (and receiving) a record number of grants and contracts, including awards for their commercialization activities, as we also onboard multiple new teams of investigators.
Our students continue to win highly competitive national awards and funding for their careers and we are all working together to incorporate our considerable planning into actions that enhance diversity and inclusion at all levels throughout our enterprise.
With speakers covering topics ranging from addiction, autism, and obesity to 3D silicon brains and the world’s fastest, deepest penetrating camera, the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute is about to launch the 10th season of its Pioneers in Biomedical Research Seminar Series on Friday, Sept. 3.
Meanwhile, we are honored to welcome Dr. Otis Brawley, a globally recognized expert in cancer prevention and control with special emphasis on health disparities, for the first presentation in the 2021-22 season’s Maury Strauss Distinguished Public Lecture Series on Thursday, Sept. 9.
In addition to preparing to host lectures and events here locally, we recently organized a trans-Atlantic Precision Neuroscience Symposium, bringing together 37 researchers from 16 research institutions in Virginia, Washington, D.C., Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Switzerland. Together, leaders in the field shared project concepts to catalyze new, leading-edge collaborations that strengthen translational brain research programs with particular emphasis on a personalized and precision medicine approach to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Please continue to be vigilant utilizing best public health practices and stay well!
In the spirit of Ut Prosim,
Michael J. Friedlander, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology, Virginia Tech
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From pasture to patient: Scientists distill cow’s milk into nano-capsules for drug delivery
Researchers led by Rob Gourdie developed a new, scalable method to purify exosomes, nano-sized drug delivery capsules harvested from cow’s milk. Read More
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New faculty member to advance addiction, pain research with focused ultrasound
As a postdoctoral associate at the research institute in 2014, Wynn Legon co-authored a pivotal study about modulating human brain activity using focused ultrasound. In September, Legon will return to the institute as an assistant professor. Read More
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Nobel laureate, NIH leaders to present 2021-22 Maury Strauss public lectures
The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC announced the lineup for its 12th annual Maury Strauss Distinguished Public Lecture Series – an initiative that has exposed the public to more than 90 globally renowned science thought leaders and health care innovators over the years. Read More
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Tenth season of Fralin Biomedical Research Institute’s Pioneers in Biomedical Research Seminar Series launches Sept. 3
The 2021-22 series, which runs through April, features 26 experts from the frontiers of cardiovascular science, cancer research, neuroscience, biomedical imaging and health behaviors. Read More
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TBMH graduate student awarded NIH grant to study diagnosis and treatment of genetic heart disease
Grace Blair, a graduate research assistant in the Poelzing Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, will use the award to study Brugada syndrome, which is responsible for an estimated 20 percent of sudden cardiac death cases. Read More
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Leader in eliminating disparities in cancer survival to deliver season’s first Maury Strauss lecture
Otis Brawley, M.D., Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Oncology at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University, will present the first Maury Strauss Distinguished Public Lecture of the season on Sept. 9. Dr. Brawley will discuss the importance of high-quality health care, good cancer screening, and prevention. Read More
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New scientists bring American Heart Association-funded research to the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute
Two scientists who joined the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC this summer each bring with them innovative research projects funded by the American Heart Association. Read More
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Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows present neurobiology and advanced imaging findings
This summer, the research institute hosted 20 undergraduate students in two competitive, 10-week, paid research fellowship programs that explore neurobiology and cutting-edge imaging technology to visualize living systems. Read More
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TBMH doctoral student crowned first-ever Miss Virginia Volunteer
Breana Turner, a first-year student in the Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health (TBMH) Graduate Program at Virginia Tech, has made history as the first-ever Miss Virginia Volunteer. Read More
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Making transformative discoveries to build a healthier future for all
Virginia Tech and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute are providing rapid COVID-19 sample analysis to help control the pandemic in support of our local community, the Commonwealth, and frontline responders. Private support is critical to continue these efforts. Here are some ways that you can support the research institute right now, in light of COVID-19:
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