October 2023 | Focus on Research
October 2023
Virginia Tech's Linsey Marr named 2023 MacArthur Fellow
Linsey Marr has been named a 2023 MacArthur Fellow, a highly prestigious award commonly called a “genius grant.” Marr hopes to use the money to support research and projects that would be hard to fund through traditional channels. “I'm also looking for an experience that will rock my world, get me out of my comfort zone, and jolt my creativity,” she said.
Research Experts in the Media
NPR - This MacArthur 'genius' knew the initial theory of COVID transmission was flawed
"You know, I worked on this problem that was really not recognized in any particular discipline. And so I felt like an outlier when I presented at conferences. Nobody else was talking about anything like this. … I'm sure people were wondering, what are you doing and why are you working on this? But to me it was a really interesting question that I was convinced would be important. And so now it turned out to be very important – sooner than I thought.”
- Linsey Marr, the Charles P. Lunsford Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech and National Academy of Engineering member.
Associated Press (also picked up by ABC News, NBC News, WTOP and others) - Meet this year’s MacArthur ‘genius grant’ recipients, including a hula master and the poet laureate
The Independent - Who are the 2023 MacArthur 'genius grant' fellows?
Boston Globe - Four Mass. residents were awarded MacArthur ‘genius’ grants
Cardinal News - Virginia Tech’s Marr wins ‘genius grant’ for COVID-19 research
Three Virginia Tech researchers inducted into National Academies
Marr was one of three Virginia Tech researchers to receive academia's highest honor this year — induction into the National Academies. Robert J. Bodnar, University Distinguished Professor of Geochemistry and Shuhai Xiao, a renowned paleobiologist and geobiologist, were also inducted.
Podcast
Assistant Professor Meagan Brem joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” podcast to discuss the intersection of alcohol use and intimate partner violence, highlighting the importance of understanding the causal relationship between the two. She debunked common myths, identified current knowledge gaps, and shared insights from ongoing studies.
Impact and Recognition
Virginia Tech faculty are winning competitively funded research awards and being selected as fellows and members of prestigious societies. They are highly cited by their peers, educating the brightest minds, and collaborating across disciplines, industry, and government to make the world a better place for all.
Virginia Tech’s FOCUS ON RESEARCH newsletter explores how student and faculty researchers are addressing emerging challenges that seek to improve the human condition and create a better world for all.