In memoriam: Ryan McMillan, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
Ryan McMillan, associate director of the Metabolism Core in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, passed away on Nov. 4.
A Virginia Tech faculty member since 2006, McMillan was instrumental in creating the Metabolic Phenotyping Core, now called the Metabolism Core, which offers sophisticated in vivo and in vitro experimental tools to internal and external investigators. He was also the lead researcher in the department on measures of metabolism across many species and types of cells or tissues.
“Ryan was a great scientist and educator,” said Stella Volpe, professor and head of the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise. “He always had a smile on his face and was kind to all those he met. Ryan touched many people in all he did to help them, both as a scientist and as a friend.”
McMillan joined Virginia Tech from the Pennington Biomedical Research Institute at Louisiana State University (LSU).
He earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Colorado Boulder, his master’s degree in exercise physiology from LSU, and his Ph.D. in muscle physiology and biochemistry from Virginia Tech.
“Ryan was a dear friend and an outstanding work colleague,” said Matt Hulver, former head of the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise. “The best way to describe Ryan is selfless. He and I worked side by side for 18 years, and I am forever grateful for his thought partnership, tireless work ethic, and intense desire to advance the work of others. But what I am most grateful for is how hard he worked to be a good friend.”
McMillan is survived by his mother, Barbie, and his brother, Brent.
A celebration of life will be held at the Integrated Life Sciences Building, room 1040, on Friday, Dec. 13, at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the HNFE General Scholarship Fund in memory of Ryan McMillan.
Virginia Tech realizes that the death of a friend, teammate, or student is difficult, and we are here to offer our support.
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