Medical student studies genetic risks of chemotherapy drugs

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:12:00 -0500

Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine student Dulguun Myagmarsuren received the Alpha Omega Alpha Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship for her work examining why some patients experience severe reactions to a chemotherapy drug widely used to treat several cancers.

Virginia Tech student named Goldwater Scholar

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:36:00 -0400

Rising senior Lacey Ngo has been awarded a 2025 Goldwater Scholarship, a federal merit award for undergraduate science, mathematics, and engineering students.

AI-backed saliva test shows promise for flagging chemotherapy risk, early results indicate

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC scientists developed a saliva-based artificial intelligence screening method that could flag patients at risk for dangerous side effects from a widely used chemotherapy drug.

Postdoctoral Excellence Awards celebrate promising scientific research

The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Postdoctoral Excellence Awards, established through the generosity of Mary Denton Roberts and David Lyerly, recognize exceptional research potential and professional development. The most recent recipients are Ignacio Aiello, Xiaobo Wu, and Mark Renton. The awards recognize the potential for impactful individual scientific contributions. Recipients are selected based on the likelihood that their research proposal will lead to novel contributions as well as their mentors' ability to enhance their professional development. Roberts taught microbiology and immunology at Radford University from 1980 to 2006. Lyerly is a co-founder and chief science officer of the Blacksburg-based medical diagnostics company TechLab Inc. He and colleague Tracy Wilkins founded the company in 1989, based on discoveries from their research on Clostridium difficile, the major cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea and colitis.

Translational biology, medicine, and health student pursues science close to home with new grant

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Mason Wheeler, a doctoral candidate in the Pfleger Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, earned a prestigious Ruth Kirschstein Predoctoral Fellowship from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health.

Virginia Tech students named 2024 Astronaut Scholars

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:45:00 -0400

College of Science students Chloe Nyhart and Stephen Argauer earned spots in the highly competitive 2024 class of Astronaut Scholars.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is widespread in wildlife, Virginia Tech scientists find

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Six of 23 common wildlife species showed signs of SARS-CoV-2 infections in an examination of animals in Virginia, as revealed by tracking the virus’s genetic code.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is widespread in wildlife, Virginia Tech scientists find

An animated simulation of how SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, adapts and mutates to survive in a new host, such as common wildlife.

Interdisciplinary team receives $5 million grant to explore COVID-19 virus ecology at the human-animal interface

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 08:43:00 -0400

Virginia Tech researchers will explore the risk of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, infections in wildlife communities and how those risks could affect humans.

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute researchers take on public health challenge of hepatitis C

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 10:09:00 -0400

The institute’s Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory will lead efforts to provide genomic sequencing to help decrease spread of the virus that can cause liver damage.

Carla Finkielstein named Roger H. Moore and Mojdeh Khatam-Moore Dean’s Faculty Fellow

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 15:42:00 -0400

A member of the Virginia Tech faculty since 2005, Finkielstein currently serves as the associate director of research of the Academy of Integrated Science in the College of Science and as interim co-director of the Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance.

Common challenge, different strategies: Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance gathers broad mix of researchers and clinicians

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 11:44:00 -0400

The second annual Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance retreat, hosted this year on the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus, brought together scientists and physicians on the leading edge of developing innovative therapy types, fresh biological targets, and new technologies to take on cancer.

Joining forces: Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance scientists to share ideas, innovations

Tue, 23 May 2023 09:55:00 -0400

For its second annual retreat, the Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance is broadening its reach and opportunities for collaboration and innovation. The 2023 event will take place May 24 and May 25 in Washington, D.C., at the Children’s National Research and Innovation Campus.

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute expands Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 09:43:00 -0400

More than 30 undergraduate and high school students worked behind the curtain of biomedical research this summer at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.

Cancer Research Alliance forges new collaborations, strengthens research programs at inaugural retreat

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 08:58:00 -0400

More than 100 cancer researchers from across Virginia Tech recently met at the first Cancer Research Alliance retreat hosted by the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.

Cancer Research Alliance forges new collaborations, strengthens research programs at inaugural retreat

More than 100 cancer researchers from across Virginia Tech met at the first Cancer Research Alliance retreat hosted by the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC on March 18.

Tour the state-of-the-art Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC Addition

Virginia Cooperative Extension agents to be trusted messengers for COVID-19 vaccine information

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 08:13:00 -0400

A group of Virginia Tech researchers, along with partners at Virginia State University, are working to deliver facts about the COVID-19 vaccine to the hesitant in rural Virginia via messengers they know and trust: Virginia Cooperative Extension agents.

Summer interns gain hands-on learning in Virginia Tech’s COVID-19 testing lab

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 10:20:00 -0400

During two five-week, hands-on sessions, the interns worked in the Molecular Diagnostics Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC and took classes led by Carla Finkielstein, the lab’s scientific director and an associate professor at the research institute.

Virginia Tech’s COVID-19 testing operation demonstrates the power and versatility of academic labs

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 13:31:00 -0400

In the early days of the pandemic, scientists at Virginia Tech created a COVID-19 testing laboratory and novel test for the virus from scratch. This novel protocol for transforming a research laboratory into a COVID-19 testing operation was described in a new article published July 20 in Nature Communications.

Virginia Tech COVID-19 lab passes 100,000-sample milestone

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 09:20:00 -0400

Since opening, the Molecular Diagnostics Lab has analyzed thousands of samples from Virginia Tech students and employees who were tested for the COVID-19 virus through the university’s testing centers. That’s in addition to testing done for regional health districts since April 20, 2020.

Carla Finkielstein honored with Ut Prosim Scholar Award

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 10:38:00 -0400

Finkielstein, an associate professor of biological sciences in the College of Science and an award-winning cancer researcher, anticipated the limitations of existing methods for testing the novel coronavirus and enlisted a team to develop an innovative method that would more accurately, reliably, and rapidly detect the virus and help mitigate its spread.

Meet Scientists Working at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute

From cancer cells to human behavior - learn about some of the fascinating, high-impact research that female faculty members at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute are working on.

Virginia Tech scientists, engineers to talk about steps to stop cancer in virtual public session

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 10:21:00 -0500

A year ago, Virginia Tech united its biomedical and technical expertise into a Cancer Research Alliance to take on the second leading cause of death in the United States. Now, scientists and engineers will talk about some leading-edge projects in breast cancer, brain cancer, and noninvasive cancer treatments in a public Zoom discussion at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

The race against cancer’s clock: New study shows chronic jet lag impairs immune response, accelerates tumor growth

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 14:00:00 -0400

A new study led by Carla Finkielstein, an associate professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, and Diego Golombek, a professor at the National University of Quilmes, reveals that chronic jet lag impedes the body’s immune system and also changes the tumor microenvironment, favoring tumor growth.

Scientists, engineers to discuss COVID-19 response in virtual HokieTalk on Wednesday

Sun, 27 Sep 2020 07:34:00 -0400

When the novel coronavirus hit the United States in January, Virginia Tech faculty recognized the nation was on the brink of a COVID-19 pandemic that would affect the university and the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. Hear the inside story about what happened during a virtual HokieTalk at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Inside Virginia Tech's COVID-19 analysis lab

Carla Finkielstein, the director of the Virginia Tech Molecular Analysis Laboratory at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, takes us on exclusive tour. With expanded testing crucial to controlling the pandemic in Virginia and the nation, Virginia Tech faculty, staff and graduate students went to work to answer the challenge. This lab was crucial to that response.

Virginia Tech COVID-19 lab ready to test thousands of student samples

“We are going to be super ready for the students,” said Carla Finkielstein, director of the Virginia Tech Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.

The researchers have already assembled 10,000 collection units that will be used to collect samples from students to analyze for coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.

“When this pandemic exploded and we were verge of deciding what to do next, the university had two options,” Finkielstein said. “One was to wait for someone to help us, and the other one was to put our collective heads and resources together and do something to serve our community. Our university chose to be proactive. We want to help take care of our students. We are bringing them back, and we are testing them. On top of that, working closely with the health departments, we are able to provide test analysis for many other people in the communities around us.”

Virginia Tech cancer researcher Carla Finkielstein to join Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 08:23:00 -0400

Finkielstein, a molecular biologist and an associate professor in the College of Science, will join the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC on July 1. Her laboratory, which studies how circadian rhythms are involved in breast cancer progression, will move to the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke.

Virginia Tech researchers develop new COVID-19 tests to combat backlogs, shortages

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 07:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech scientists have developed a new COVID-19 test and secured federal and state approvals to immediately begin processing samples at on-campus labs in Blacksburg and Roanoke.

Graduate student receives first Mitzi L. Frank Memorial Scholarship to support cancer research

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 08:37:00 -0500

The inaugural Mitzi L. Frank Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Jesse Janoski, a first-year graduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences, who is researching cancer and circadian rhythms.

Virginia Tech undergraduate biochemistry and biological sciences student wins Sigma Xi research grant

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 12:35:00 -0500

The grant awarded to Esther Wisdom, a junior in the Honors College, is one of 17 of the approved proposals submitted by undergraduate students. Overall, 12 percent of the grant applications were approved for funding.

Timing is everything: New discoveries in circadian rhythms provide insight into cancer treatment

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 09:49:00 -0500

Researchers, including Carla Finkielstein, are now discovering that molecules usually implicated in protecting us from cancer initiation and progression are directly involved in regulating the function of our daily circadian rhythms.

Virginia Tech launches crowdfunding campaign to fight breast cancer’s overwhelming impact in Appalachia

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Volunteers for the breast cancer fundraising campaign include students and faculty from the Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech College of Science, Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute, and the Center for Gerontology.

Carla Finkielstein receives 2015 Alumni Award for Outreach Excellence

Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech professor receives cancer-research funding

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Biologist Carla Finkielstein receives Minority Scholar Award

Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

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Tags

Medical student studies genetic risks of chemotherapy drugs

Virginia Tech student named Goldwater Scholar

AI-backed saliva test shows promise for flagging chemotherapy risk, early results indicate

Postdoctoral Excellence Awards celebrate promising scientific research

Translational biology, medicine, and health student pursues science close to home with new grant

Virginia Tech students named 2024 Astronaut Scholars

The virus that causes COVID-19 is widespread in wildlife, Virginia Tech scientists find

The virus that causes COVID-19 is widespread in wildlife, Virginia Tech scientists find

Interdisciplinary team receives $5 million grant to explore COVID-19 virus ecology at the human-animal interface

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute researchers take on public health challenge of hepatitis C

Carla Finkielstein named Roger H. Moore and Mojdeh Khatam-Moore Dean’s Faculty Fellow

Common challenge, different strategies: Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance gathers broad mix of researchers and clinicians

Joining forces: Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance scientists to share ideas, innovations

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute expands Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program

Cancer Research Alliance forges new collaborations, strengthens research programs at inaugural retreat

Cancer Research Alliance forges new collaborations, strengthens research programs at inaugural retreat

Tour the state-of-the-art Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC Addition

Virginia Cooperative Extension agents to be trusted messengers for COVID-19 vaccine information

Summer interns gain hands-on learning in Virginia Tech’s COVID-19 testing lab

Virginia Tech’s COVID-19 testing operation demonstrates the power and versatility of academic labs

Virginia Tech COVID-19 lab passes 100,000-sample milestone

Carla Finkielstein honored with Ut Prosim Scholar Award

Meet Scientists Working at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute

Virginia Tech scientists, engineers to talk about steps to stop cancer in virtual public session

The race against cancer’s clock: New study shows chronic jet lag impairs immune response, accelerates tumor growth

Scientists, engineers to discuss COVID-19 response in virtual HokieTalk on Wednesday

Inside Virginia Tech's COVID-19 analysis lab

Virginia Tech COVID-19 lab ready to test thousands of student samples

Virginia Tech cancer researcher Carla Finkielstein to join Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC

Virginia Tech researchers develop new COVID-19 tests to combat backlogs, shortages

Graduate student receives first Mitzi L. Frank Memorial Scholarship to support cancer research

Virginia Tech undergraduate biochemistry and biological sciences student wins Sigma Xi research grant

Timing is everything: New discoveries in circadian rhythms provide insight into cancer treatment

Virginia Tech launches crowdfunding campaign to fight breast cancer’s overwhelming impact in Appalachia

Carla Finkielstein receives 2015 Alumni Award for Outreach Excellence

Virginia Tech professor receives cancer-research funding

Biologist Carla Finkielstein receives Minority Scholar Award