Nov 19
Wightman Races Giant Acorn!
Professor Emeritus James P. Wightman has competed in the Giant Acorn Sprint 2009, a grueling 750 meter swim, 20 K bike ride, and 5 K run. As the oldest competitor at 74, Dr. Wightman clocked a worthy 2:06:36. Retired from his career in surface chemistry and adhesion science, Dr. Wightman remains active in many ways that continue to surprise and gratify his colleagues and students.
Oct 20
Chemist receives prestigious National Institutes of Health grant for innovative genetic drug research
A Virginia Tech chemist has been awarded a $2.3 million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct research that will aid in the development of new heart disease and cancer medicines that have fewer side effects.
Oct 15
Chemists Receive Grant for SAXS
Profs. Robert B. Moore and Herve Marand have received a $510,000 grant from NSF (plus $220,000 in matching support from VT) to purchase an instrument for small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). These techniques enable nanoscale morphological characterization of solid materials and liquid dispersions. Dr. Moore, Dr. Marand, and several science and engineering colleagues are exploring new materials for energy and bio-medical applications. The new equipment will complement existing capabilities of the VT Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory (NCFS).
Oct 9
Novel Polymer Delivers Genetic Medicine, Allows Tracking
Theresa M. Reineke, associate professor of chemistry in the College of Science, and colleagues in her lab at Virginia Tech and at the University of Cincinnati have developed a new molecule that can travel into cells, deliver genetic cargo, and packs a beacon so scientists can follow its movements in living systems.
Oct. 6
Reineke Wins NIH New Innovator Award
Prof. Theresa M. Reineke is one of 54 scholars nationwide to receive the 2009 NIH Director's New Innovator Award, which recognizes "investigators of exceptional creativity who propose bold and highly innovative new research approaches that have the potential to produce a major impact on broad, important problems in biomedical and behavioral research." Dr. Reineke and her research group will use the $2.3 million in funding to explore mechanisms of intracellular nucleic acid delivery using novel carbohydrate-containing polymers
Sep 25
Nano Drug Delivery Initiative Receives Grant
Professors Alan R. Esker and Richard D. Gandour have received $431,000 as part of a $1,512,000 grant from NSF for Cyber-Engineering Functional Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery. They are working with three cyber engineers--Professors Roland Faller (UC Davis), Amadeu Sum (Colorado School of Mines), and Markus Deserno (Carnegie Mellon)--who will simulate the design of the nanoparticles. Through a virtual feedback system, Esker's and Gandour's experiments will validate the simulations, which, in turn, will suggest new nanoparticle designs.
Jun 30
Turner Funded for Polymer Research
Prof. Richard Turner has received a $370,000 grant from NSF to investigate rigid polyelectrolytes and double-hydrophilic rod-coil block copolymers. The project evolved from Prof. Turner's earlier work demonstrating precise alternation and functional group control in stilbene-maleic anhydride copolymers. Long-range applications are envisioned in areas such as bioactive coatings.
May 15
Judy Riffle Received Schug Award
Prof. Judy S. Riffle has received the 2009 Schug Research Award. Alumnus E. Gary Cook established the award in honor of Prof. John Schug to recognize a departmental faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional creativity and productivity in research. Professor Riffle's research focuses on homo- and block copolymer synthesis, principally for drug delivery vehicles and advanced diagnostics.
Jul 1
Tim Long Named Associate Director at Fralin
Prof. Timothy Long has beennamed Associate Director for InterdisciplinaryResearch and Education at VirginiaTech’s Fralin Life Science Institute.Partnering with the Graduate School, VTC,VBI, VMRCVM, and OVPR, Dr. Long aims tostimulate educational and research collaborations in life scienceacross campus and to foster an externally visible community thatwill attract applicants to allied degree programs. His initial term ofservice is three years.
Mar 10
Wood Science Doctoral Student Sudip Chowdhury Awarded 2009 Eastman Summer Fellowship in Analytical Chemistry & Polymer Characterization
It is a pleasure to announce that Sudip Chowdhury, a PhDstudent in the Department of Wood Science and ForestProducts (under the direction of Prof. Chip Frazier) has beenawarded the 2009 Eastman Summer Fellowship in AnalyticalChemistry & Polymer Characterization.
Apr 22
Virginia Tech, YMCA wind and solar project gets off the ground in time for Earth Day
By now, Blacksburg residents and commuters who travel Main Street will have noted an egg beater-like apparatus on a pole in front of the YMCA. The raising of the pole for the mini wind-turbine on April 19 was a major milestone in what has turned out to be a year-long effort by Virginia Tech students, faculty members, and staff, and community volunteers to build a wind and solar demonstration site and education center at the YMCA center at 1000 North Main Street.
Aug 5
Wood-Based Composites Center advances program with National Science Foundation grant
The Wood-Based Composites Center in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment received a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant of $675,000 to create and support an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC).
May 13
Young Scientist Experience
The Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute presented the third Young Scientist’s Experience (YSE). This program was held in conjunction with the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) at Virginia Tech. The SURP program, funded by the National Science Foundation for past 20 years, enables undergraduates from across the country to conduct summer research at Virginia Tech. For the Young Scientist’s Experience, middle school students are teamed with SURP mentors to work in areas at the forefront of scientific research. With Virginia Tech faculty sponsors, teams assembled demonstrations to present during the 2008 Street Fair “Steppin’ Out” in downtown Blacksburg. Over 550 undergraduate students have been through the REU program. For more information on the YSE, contact Maggie Bump at mbobbitt@vt.edu.