explorer | DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Paradigm-shifting Science Developing Next Leaders Impacting Communities
Dear Fralin Life Sciences Institute Community, Amid a global pandemic, what the Fralin Life Sciences Institute at Virginia Tech offers to its faculty, staff, students, and to the world is more important than ever. We are committed to improving the human condition by supporting innovative environmental and life sciences research, education, and outreach. As three promising vaccines make their way to campus, I am hopeful about the future. I also want to recognize all the hard work and partnership of the researchers and leaders in our five buildings: Steger Hall, Fralin Hall, Integrated Life Sciences Building, Latham Hall, and Life Sciences I. There are many examples of how the Fralin Life Sciences Community has stepped up when needed. Our affiliated faculty quickly pivoted to create engaging, online courses, and our researchers responded to the need for rapid testing shortages and assessed shortages of critical 4
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equipment and supplies. The contributions of essential employees, who remained in our five buildings, and the care you all took for each other during these challenging times have made me proud to be part of our life sciences and Virginia Tech community. All members of the Fralin Life Sciences Institute community have taken individual responsibility to combat the coronavirus, collectively positioning the Institute to continue supporting its strategic priorities: conducting paradigm-shifting science, developing next leaders, and impacting communities. We are continuing to move the needle in the wicked problems spaces that threaten the environment and the human condition: infectious disease, evolving climate change, rising sea levels, air and water pollution, and decreasing biodiversity.