College of Science welcomes five new members to Hall of Distinction
The College of Science this spring added five new members into its Hall of Distinction.
Hall of Distinction members represent an array of professionals, including scientists, doctors, policymakers, and business leaders.
“Former Hokies such as our Hall of Distinction inductees this year have demonstrated dedication and impact that have helped shape the college and advance our mission to educate future science leaders,” said Kevin Pitts, dean of the College of Science. “Their contributions strengthen Virginia Tech’s legacy and inspire the next generation.”
The Hall of Distinction honors alumni and friends of the College who have achieved excellence in their professional careers and have demonstrated remarkable service and philanthropy to civic groups and the university.
This year’s inductees are: Ray A. Gaskins of Farmville, Virginia; Ross W. Greene of Freeport, Maine; Mitchell Koppelman of Sanibel Island, Florida, and Seaside Park, New Jersey; Isabel P. Montañez of Davis, California; and Marcus D. Wilson of Newark, Delaware.
About Ray A. Gaskins
Gaskins earned both his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and doctorate in statistics from Virginia Tech. As a graduate student, he had the rare privilege of working under I.J. Good, a University Distinguished Professor and former British codebreaker at Bletchley Park during World War II. This mentorship not only shaped his academic career but also led to unforgettable experiences — such as dining with legendary people such as science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke and mathematical physicist Sir Roger Penrose.
Gaskins' academic career at Hampden-Sydney College spanned 27 years, where he made history as the first Ph.D. in the math department. His influence reached far beyond the classroom — he pioneered a defensive strategy program for the football team, a precursor to the data analytics we now recognize in sports. He also modernized the college’s computing infrastructure and collaborated on a training simulator for Virginia Power’s North Anna Nuclear Power Plant in response to the Three Mile Island incident.
A proud Hokie and devoted philanthropist, Gaskins supports Virginia Tech’s students, faculty, and programs in advancing the university’s mission of education and research. He is a member of the Ut Prosim Society, Legacy Society, 1872 Society, Pylon Society, Cornerstone Alumni, and the Hokie Club.
About Ross W. Greene
Greene earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Virginia Tech in 1989 after completing his bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Florida. His time at Virginia Tech was marked not only by rigorous training, but also by formative experiences working with local elementary schools in Shawsville and Ellett. He also developed lifelong relationships with faculty in the Department of Psychology, which he considers among his most cherished memories.
Greene went on to serve on the faculty at Harvard Medical School for over 20 years before founding Lives in the Balance, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for children with concerning behaviors and their families. He currently holds adjunct professorships in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech and the Faculty of Science at the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia.
The creator of Collaborative and Proactive Solutions, an innovative, evidence-based approach for helping children with challenging behaviors and their families, Greene has shaped the way educators and clinicians support these individuals. He is the author of several influential books, including "The Explosive Child," "Lost at School," "Lost & Found," and "Raising Human Beings," and served as executive producer of "The Kids We Lose," an award-winning documentary released in 2018. To support future research and application of the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions approach, he established a graduate fellowship in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech.
About Mitchell Koppelman
Koppelman earned his doctorate in chemistry from Virginia Tech in 1976, specializing in mineral surface chemistry. His passion for science began at Stony Brook University, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to the field, holding several mineral-related patents and publishing over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.
With more than 36 years of experience in the industrial minerals industry, Koppelman held key leadership roles at Minerals Technologies Inc., a global leader in calcium carbonate, bentonite, and refractory products. In retirement, he continues to consult and remains engaged in causes important to him, including serving on the Board of Trustees for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, where he was recently elected chairman.
Koppelman’s connection to Virginia Tech runs deep. He is a longtime member of the College of Science Roundtable Advisory Board and the Department of Chemistry Advisory Council. He is also a member of Virginia Tech’s Ut Prosim Society and 1872 Society. Together with his wife, he established the Kelly Seibert and Tani Koppelman Family Scholarship in memory of their daughters.
About Isabel P. Montañez
Montañez earned her doctorate in geosciences from Virginia Tech in 1990 after completing her bachelor’s degree at Bryn Mawr College. Her time in Blacksburg was shaped by the unwavering support of faculty in the Department of Geological Sciences, at a time when women were still rare in the field. She recalls professors spending hours mentoring her one-on-one, guiding her research, and providing encouragement. That environment gave her the confidence to push forward in a field where fewer than 4 percent of geoscientists were women at the time.
After earning her doctorate, she began her academic career at the University of California, Riverside, before joining the University of California, Davis, in 1998. Today, she serves as the Chancellor’s Leadership Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Director of the UC Davis Institute of the Environment.
A leading expert in sedimentary geochemistry and paleoclimatology, Montañez has received numerous national and international honors, including election to the National Academy of Sciences and fellowships in prestigious organizations such as the American Geophysical Union, the Geochemical Society, the European Association of Geochemistry, and the Geological Society of America. She remains deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists, just as she was mentored during her time at Virginia Tech.
About Marcus D. Wilson
Wilson earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Virginia Tech in 1985. He went on to complete his Doctor of Pharmacy at the Medical College of Virginia and a family medicine residency at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Wilson began his career at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, where he established a clinical practice site to train pharmacy students in direct patient care. His program earned national recognition for managing hypertension and hyperlipidemia. During this time, he and his colleagues pioneered the use of electronic healthcare data to improve patient outcomes.
In 1996, he co-founded HealthCore, advancing real-world research through electronic health care data. After its acquisition by WellPoint Health Networks, now Elevance Health, in 2003, HealthCore became a global leader in real-world evidence under his leadership, publishing more than 2,000 studies.
Today, Wilson remains active in health care through board service and consulting. His dedication to Virginia Tech has never wavered — he is a longtime member of the College of Science Dean’s Roundtable and a proud member of Virginia Tech’s 1872 Society and Ut Prosim Society. Together with his wife, he established the Marcus and Diana Wilson Athletic Scholarship, helping future Hokies pursue their academic and athletic dreams.
