The Fralin Life Sciences Institute collaborates with faculty and students across the university to grow high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary projects, provides unique research facilities/services and infrastructure, and catalyzes new programs and opportunities at the interfaces of life and molecular sciences.
Real-world undergraduate research experiences
The First-Year Fralin Undergraduate Research Fellowship program engages and supports first-year/new-to-research undergraduates in meaningful research experiences, connecting them with faculty mentors early in their academic journey. With the number of applicants increasing to almost 300% from the first to second year of the program, and 64% of students indicating they plan to continue pursuing research, there is a need to expand the program across Virginia Tech.
Equipping early-career development with the right tools
Investment in early-career researcher development takes the form of travel awards, professional development, and use of research facilities/services. The Institute partners with the Virginia Tech Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship program to prepare postdocs for the next step in their careers, with fellows receiving two years of support with nationally competitive salaries and benefits.
Research resilience initiatives
The Institute’s underlying tenet of being resilient and adaptive is crucial in the current research funding environment. Through support of prioritized funding, the Fralin Life Sciences Institute works with faculty who have lost federal funding, so they can open new horizons and apply their skills in new areas to solve pressing life and molecular sciences challenges.
| Rank | State | Gifts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VA | 33 |
| 2 | PA | 2 |
| 3 | VT | 1 |
| Rank | Answer | Donors |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026 | 1,228 |
| 2 | 2027 | 1,151 |
| 3 | 2028 | 944 |
| 4 | 2029 | 674 |
