October has been a time of new beginnings for the research institute. It included the official grand opening of the new Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC Addition and the first in-person meeting of our advisory board in nearly two years! Both events were symbolic and substantive in their meaning for the success and contributions of the research institute.

The grand opening provided important symbolism for what the new building means for our community, Virginia Tech, Carilion Clinic, the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world. This was articulated by the dignitaries who spoke at the event, including Virginia Tech's President Tim Sands, Carilion Clinic's President and CEO Nancy Agee, the City of Roanoke's Vice-Mayor Trish White-Boyd, Speaker of the House of Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn, and director of NINDS, Walter Koroshetz. A special bonus was the inspiring speech shared by Virginia Tech graduate student, Rachana Somaiya. I was honored to provide comments from the institute perspective, as well. The attendance of nearly 200 community members and leaders, friends of the institute, and colleagues was equally inspiring as we are all part of this journey of discovery.

The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute advisory board was able to have an in-person meeting in the new building, with appropriate public health policies in place, allowing for the sort of interactive give-and-take conversations that we all have missed. However, we were also able to accommodate the virtual participation of several board members. In addition, we welcomed four new board members: Mary Baron, Ginger Ashton, Adrianna Hogan, and Bob Hogan. The energy, innovation, and support provided by the board members were palpable.

Another exciting part of the advisory board meeting was the opportunity for the members to hear from two of our faculty members – Carla Finkielstein and Jia-Ray Yu. Each in their own unique styles engaged the board in the vision of their research programs – Carla with the translation and implementation of the increasing body of scientific evidence for integrating chronotherapy into the clinic, particularly in cancer care. Jia-Ray shared his pioneering approach to developing new tools to modify the action of molecular “writers, readers and erasers,” to treat the underlying epigenetic changes that occur in cancer, including the most deadly form of pediatric brain cancer.

It is a good time to reflect on the progress we have made during the pandemic. While there is still some resistance to good public health practices, we are making progress and beginning to head in the right direction. I am proud that the scientific enterprise continues to contribute to that progress, including development and implementation of accurate testing, the development and of a new effective and safe vaccination technology, and the implementation of validated public health guidelines.