John Chappell to direct Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program
Building on a decade of growth, the interdisciplinary research program prepares graduates for impactful careers in a dynamic biomedical landscape.
John Chappell, associate professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, has been appointed to direct Virginia Tech’s Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health (TBMH) Graduate Program, effective July 1.
Chappell will take over for Steven Poelzing, professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, who has led the program for eight years. Michael Friedlander, Virginia Tech’s vice president for health sciences and technology and executive director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, announced the appointment and praised Poelzing’s contributions.
“Dr. Poelzing has been instrumental in shaping the TBMH program into a nationally recognized leader in interdisciplinary biomedical research,” Friedlander said. “His legacy includes expanding the curriculum to foster a broader educational experience and significantly enhancing student success in securing prestigious fellowships and grants. We are deeply grateful for his dedication and visionary leadership.”
Poelzing, who is also a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics in the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, will continue to participate in the translational biology, medicine, and health program while turning his energy toward his research in the institute’s Center for Vascular and Heart Research.
The program has seen steady growth under Poelzing’s leadership. In the past year alone, the program grew to 170 applicants from 112 in 2023 and boasts a doctoral degree completion rate that exceeds national averages. To date, translational biology, medicine, and health students have secured approximately $2 million in competitive national grant funding. Program alumni have pursued prestigious postdoctoral positions and fellowships at the National Institutes of Health, Mayo Clinic, Harvard University, Yale, MIT, and more, as well as leadership roles in industry and scientific policy institutions.
“I am thrilled to take on this new role and build on the solid foundation that Dr. Poelzing and the TBMH team have established,” said Chappell, who is also an associate professor in the College of Engineering’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics. “My goal is to continue evolving the TBMH program to meet the changing landscape of biomedical research, ensuring our students are well-prepared for diverse career paths in academia, industry, and beyond. I look forward to working with our talented faculty and dedicated students to look ahead and drive innovation.”
Chappell brings extensive experience in student mentorship, recruitment, and program development. His commitment to student success and his deep understanding of the program’s interdisciplinary mission make him a natural fit to grow the program, according to Friedlander.
“Dr. Chappell’s passion for student training and his proven track record in leadership will be invaluable as we continue to develop and expand TBMH,” Friedlander said. “He listens to and advocates for students, and likewise they unanimously speak to his dedication and understanding. Overall, he has shown himself as a very effective ambassador for the program, and I am confident that under his guidance, TBMH will achieve new heights in biomedical research education.”
Chappell is known for fostering an inclusive and innovative learning environment. His vision includes expanding recruitment efforts to attract top-tier students and enhancing the program’s reputation for producing graduates who are not only skilled researchers but also leaders in the biomedical field.
He joined Virginia Tech in 2014 after completing a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He holds a doctoral degree and master’s degree in biomedical engineering and a bachelor’s degree electrical engineering from the University of Virginia.
