Class of 2025: Love for the environment inspires Chloe Taylor’s path
Driven by curiosity and purpose, Taylor found a globally minded mission — blending science, sustainability, and innovation at Virginia Tech.
Chloe Taylor stands in the Hahn Garden Pavilion and Horticulture Garden on Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus. Photo by Max Esterhuizen for Virginia Tech.
It was on the dusty dirt roads of Tanzania that Chloe Taylor found her path.
When she was 16, Taylor traveled for a high school service project from her hometown of Melbourne, Australia.
In Melbourne, environmental pollution was minimal. But in Tanzania, she saw rivers clogged with so much plastic waste that the water was barely visible beneath the layers of discarded soda bottles and packaging.
“It was heartbreaking, and I didn’t know how to help. I knew I liked chemistry and wanted to tackle the issue in some way,” Taylor said.
That moment set her on a path to Virginia Tech, where she followed in the footsteps of her mother, Joely Taylor ’95, who studied forestry and wildlife.
Nearing graduation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment, Chloe Taylor has been named the college’s outstanding senior and is also a recipient of the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi medallion.
Her passion for sustainability led her to the sustainable biomaterials program.
“As soon as I read about it, I knew that was where I needed to be,” Taylor said.
Her decision paid off.
Taylor quickly immersed herself in research, securing a summer internship through Virginia Tech’s REEL program, where she studied food security and plant genomics at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center. She loves research, which led her to reach out to faculty members in sustainable biomaterials, eventually landing her a research position in Associate Professor Young Kim’s lab.
There, she worked on chemical modifications biodegradable plastics from food waste, co-authoring a book chapter on polyhydroxyalkanoates and leading a study on improving the thermal stability of polylactic acid.
“Many students enter Ph.D. programs without prior experience using tools such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis, but I’ve already worked extensively with them,” she said.
A mentor makes a difference
Taylor credits her mentors at Virginia Tech for their support and guidance, particularly Kim, Jennifer Russell, and Joseph Loferski.
“Dr. Kim has been an incredible mentor, always willing to help with research, academics, career advice, or even personal matters,” Taylor said. “The faculty in my department have been sources of immense support. They see students’ potential and actively cultivate it.”
Russell, who has experience in both academia and industry, provided Taylor with invaluable insights about career paths and sustainability-focused research. Her structured and engaging courses helped shape Taylor’s understanding of the circular economy and how sustainable materials fit into broader systems.
Loferski, who recently retired, left a lasting impact on Taylor as one of the first professors she met in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. His enthusiasm for sustainable materials and personal engagement with students made a deep impression.
“Dr. Loferski’s passion for his field was contagious. He always took time to connect with students, whether in the classroom or a casual conversation. He made learning exciting and personal,” Taylor said.
An impactful journey
Beyond academics, Taylor has embraced the culture at Virginia Tech, from game-day traditions to the tight-knit community in her department. She said the experience of moving across the world for college was daunting but ultimately rewarding.
“I didn’t know a single person when I arrived and now it feels like home,” she said.
During her time at Virginia Tech, Taylor has been involved with Omega Phi Alpha, a service sorority, to serve the community.
“I wanted to give back to those in need whilst pursuing my studies and research,” Taylor said. “As part of the sorority, I spend time with a wonderful group of girls who share the same passion for giving back. We participate in a wide variety of service activities, but my favorites have included participating in The Big Event, our annual Philanthropy Week in which we raise money for the Autism Society of Central Virginia, and making period product packs to donate to the women's support resources in the area.”
As she prepares to graduate, Taylor is looking forward to a six-week backpacking trip across Europe before beginning her Ph.D. studies at North Carolina State University. Her goal remains the same as when she first saw those polluted rivers in Tanzania: to develop sustainable materials that reduce environmental waste and create a cleaner future.
“Getting these awards doesn’t change my motivation—I’ll always strive to do my best," Taylor said. "But it’s gratifying to see my work recognized, and I’m excited to continue making an impact.”