2024 Highlights | Focus on Research
December 2024
Over the last year, Virginia Tech has demonstrated its commitment to excellence in research, scholarship, and creative activities. We celebrated more than 80 faculty members for their prestigious scholarly achievements, including six faculty who were named to Clarivate’s Highly Cited list, and a record seven Hokies were elected to the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.
Last month we were honored to be one of five organizations (out of more than 12,000 eligible) to receive the 2023 Jack Donnelly Award for Excellence in Counterintelligence, which is further enhanced by our role in developing innovative technologies and talent to help to make the nation more secure.
According to the National Science Foundation’s latest Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey, Virginia Tech was responsible for almost half of the growth in federally sponsored research expenditures in Virginia’s institutions of higher education in fiscal year 2023. The university accounted for 47 percent of Virginia institutions’ collective growth in federally sponsored research expenditures, and revealed Virginia Tech to be the commonwealth’s only R1 university whose ranking for federal funding increased, rising from number 67 to number 62.
The university’s research growth is rooted in its motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), its collaborative spirit, and the diversity of expertise that spans disciplines, programs, and colleges. I am grateful to be a part of the Virginia Tech community who work together to address emerging challenges that seek to improve the human condition and create a better world for all.
Regards,
Dan Sui
Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation
By the Numbers
Nine colleges, seven research institutes, and hundreds of centers and laboratories contribute to Virginia Tech's research enterprise.
Sponsored Research Expenditures
For fiscal year 2023, Virginia Tech reported a record $419 million in extramural research expenditures surpassing the university’s strategic plan goal of $410 million two years earlier than planned.
Top Virginia Tech Research News in 2024
A look back at the most-read research stories of the year.
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Virginia Tech Faculty Accolades and Highlights
Virginia Tech faculty are being selected as fellows and members of prestigious societies.
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Early Career Awards
Virginia Tech early career faculty are winning competitively funded research awards.
Moving on Up
Virginia Tech research excellence makes an impact.
Notable Media Mentions
Virginia Tech researchers share their expertise with the public through engagement with local, regional, national, and global media.
From January through November, Virginia Tech earned 4,328 significant metropolitan, top-tier national and international references, reaching millions of people across the globe.
New York Times - The East Coast Is Sinking
- Manoochehr Shirzaei, College of Science
New York Times - W.H.O. Broadens Definition of Airborne Diseases
– Linsey Marr, College of Engineering
New York Times - How Bad Are Ultraprocessed Foods, Really?
– Brenda Davy, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Wall Street Journal - Child Care, Rent, Insurance: Where Inflation Hits Hardest Now
– David Bieri, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
Wall Street Journal - It Took an Army of Internet Sleuths to Find ‘Celebrity Number Six’
– Kurt Luther, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
NPR - There are about 3 U.S. train derailments per day. They aren't usually major disasters
–Mehdi Amadian, College of Engineering
NPR - Driven to distraction: New rules recommend states steer clear of highway sign humor
– Trip Shealy, College Engineering
NPR - Concrete structures meant to protect Baltimore bridge appear unchanged for decades
– Roberto Leon, Colege of Engineering
NBC News - Which artificial sweetener is the safest choice?
– Valisa Hedrick, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
NBC News - Multiple concussions like Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s increase chances of long-term health issues
– Steve Rowson, Virginia Tech Helmet Lab
BBC - Ella Atkins on Boeing Starliner Delay
– Ella Atkins, College of Engineering
ABC News - Even a losing presidential campaign can have benefits
– Caitlin Jewitt, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
ABC News - How Taylor Swift's endorsement could shape the 2024 election
– Megan Duncan, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
CBS News - New COVID variant XEC now in half of states. Here's what to know.
– Carla Finkielstein, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
CNN - Over 500 million years ago, weird complex creatures emerged on Earth. Scientists now think they know why
– Shuhaui Xiao, College of Science
CNN - ‘This disorder has almost killed me’: His addiction to ultraprocessed food began as a child
– Alexandra DiFeliceantonio, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
The Atlantic - The New Calculus of Summer Workouts
– Linsey Marr, College of Engineering
Making an Impact - Locally, Regionally, and Globally
Virginia Tech’s impact as a global land grant university is evident through its efforts to advance sustainability throughout its community, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and around the world.
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Preparing Graduates for a Purpose-Driven Career
Virginia Tech offers research opportunities at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels, preparing them for the workforce.
Most Popular "Curious Conversations" Research Podcasts
Free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life.
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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.