In memoriam: Delnia Amani, Ph.D. student, College of Engineering
Delnia Amani, a Ph.D. student in the College of Engineering, passed away after health-related complications on Aug. 27. She was 33.
A native of Iran, Amani was pursuing a doctoral degree in electrical engineering at the Virginia Tech Research Center — Arlington. Beyond her academic pursuits, she loved being part of the student community, joining social events, making friends, and enjoying her time at Virginia Tech.
Friends and faculty shared the following reflections:
“Delnia will be remembered for her deep love of learning and her unwavering positivity. During her time at Virginia Tech, she showed remarkable strength and hope, continuing to work toward her Ph.D. with determination and grace. Her resilience and optimism touched everyone around her and left a lasting impression on our community,” said Laura Villada, academic advisor and graduate student services manager for the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
“Delnia was always kind and engaged, attending all of our department events with a gentle presence. One memory that stands out is her courage in overcoming a fear of dogs. During finals week, when therapy dogs visited campus, she slowly approached them — and before long, she was sitting beside them, smiling. A few months later, she met my own dog and was so proud of herself for how far she had come. It was a beautiful reflection of her quiet strength and personal growth,” said Kathleen Enos, alumni relations manager for the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the greater Washington, D.C., area.
“Delnia was a passionate, energetic person. She brought joy to every group and gathering. On the professional side, she was a dedicated researcher. She was so happy to join the electrical engineering program at Virginia Tech and will always be remembered for living her life with joy, resilience, and generosity,” said Amir Fakhim Babaei, a Ph.D. student in computer engineering.
Virginia Tech realizes that the death of a friend, teammate, or student is difficult, and we are here to offer our support.
Members of the university community who seek support or assistance are encouraged to contact these resources:
- TimelyCare
- Cook Counseling Center at 540-231-6557
- Dean of Students Office at 540-231-3787. Referral to a campus cleric may be made through this office.
- Employee Assistance Program
- Anthem at 855-223-9277
- Aetna at 888-238-6232
- Kaiser Permanente at 866-517-7042
- Sentara Health Plans Vantage HMO at 800-899-8174
- Hokie Wellness at 540-231-2233 (students) or 540-231-8878 (employees)
- Housing Services at 540-231-6205
- Residential Well-being at 540-231-1139
- Civil Rights Compliance at 540-231-2010
- Women's Center at Virginia Tech at 540-231-7806
- University Ombuds Office at 540-231-3125
- Graduate Office of the Ombudsperson at 540-231-9573
