Work with thought leaders and academic experts from Virginia Tech

Michael Hickner

Michigan State University
Education

Virginia Tech

PhD, Chemical Engineering / 2003

Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
Research Expertise
polymers : 3D printing : materials chemistry : energy : water
Colloid and Surface Chemistry
Biochemistry
Catalysis
Pollution
And 31 more
About
Michael Hickner is an accomplished researcher and educator with an extensive background in chemical engineering. He received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2003. For the past 15 years, Hickner has been a Rogerson Endowed Professor at Michigan State University, where he has conducted highly acclaimed research in the areas of sustainable energy technologies and nanomanufacturing. Previous to this appointment, Hickner was a Senior Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories, where he conducted post-doctoral research in the fields of materials science, nanotechnology, and catalysis. Given his diverse skill set and supportive leadership style, Michigan State students look to Hickner to provide them with the guidance, mentorship, and educational tools necessary to excel in the field of chemical engineering.

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Monica Motley, PhD, MSEd, MPH

Social and Behavioral Health Scientist specializing in health equity, organizational change, and community disparities
Education

Virginia Tech

Doctor of Philosophy , VA/Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

Blacksburg

Virginia Tech

Master of Public Health, Population Health Science

Blacksburg

Virginia Tech

Master of Science in Education , School of Education

Blacksburg
Experience

Virginia Tech

Adjunct Teaching Faculty / 2023 — Present

The Motley Consulting Group, LLC

CEO & Founder / 2017 — Present

Research Expertise
Public Health
Health Equity
STEMH Workforce Development
Social Determinants of Health
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
And 9 more
About
Dr. Monica Motley is a highly accomplished educator and public health professional with a diverse background in social justice, public health, and health equity. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, as well as a Master of Public Health degree in Population Health Science and a Master of Science in Education from the same university. Dr. Motley has a strong passion for research and has served as a faculty member at Virginia Tech for the past decade, where she has taught, served on graduate committees, and managed various complex research projects. She also works as a consultant via her own boutique firm, providing expert guidance to organizations and government agencies on various equity-related topics. In addition, Dr. Motley founded *The Motley Consulting Group, LLC in 2017*, a consulting firm that specializes in community disparities and health inequities. Through her company, she has helped numerous clients develop effective strategies and programs to address equity-based organizational change, health disparity assessment, and health resources. Dr. Motley's extensive education and experience make her a highly sought-after specialist in her field. She is dedicated to making a positive impact on the health and education of individuals and communities and continues to be a leader in her field through her work and advocacy efforts.

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Zhenyu Yao

Assistant Professor, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University
Education

Virginia Tech

Ph.D. in Economics, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics / May, 2022

Blacksburg
Research Expertise
Environmental economics
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Economics and Econometrics
About
Zhenyu Yao is an accomplished economist with a strong background in agricultural and applied economics. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Virginia Tech in 2022, where he specialized in the environmental economics and applied econometrics. During his time at Virginia Tech, Zhenyu conducted extensive research in the field of envrionmental economics, focusing on issues such as air and water quality. He also received training in advanced economic theory, econometrics, and data analysis, which has equipped him with strong analytical skills. After completing his Ph.D., Zhenyu joined Shenzhen MSU-BIT University as an Assistant Professor. In this role, he teaches courses in economics and conducts research on various topics, including environmental economics, and labor economics. Zhenyu has also published several papers in top academic journals and presented his research at various conferences. He is highly respected in the academic community and has received numerous awards and accolades for his work. In addition to his academic achievements, Zhenyu is also actively involved in community service and outreach programs. He is passionate about using his expertise to make a positive impact on society. In his free time, Zhenyu enjoys traveling, reading, and playing sports. He is also an avid advocate for sustainable living and is constantly exploring ways to reduce his carbon footprint.

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Sean OKeefe

Professor Food, Flavors and Lipid Chemistry
Experience

Virginia Tech

Professor / June, 2008 — Present

Research Expertise
Food chemistry
flavors
natural antioxidants
About
Broad experience in lipid chemistry, analysis food and flavor chemistry. Helped startup company formulate, produce and market pharma product.

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Raymond Weil

Professor of Soil Science at the University of Maryland
Education

Virginia Tech

Research Expertise
soil science
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Pollution
Waste Management and Disposal
Water Science and Technology
And 19 more

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Tamoghna Roy

ML@DeepSig | Applied Research | Deep Learning
Education

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Ph.D., Electrical Engineering / December, 2017

Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

M.S., Electrical Engineering / December, 2014

Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America

Jadavpur University

B.E., Electrical Engineering / June, 2009

Kolkata
Research Expertise
Machine Learning
Statistical Signal Processing
Deep Learning
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Signal Processing

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Dr. Mariana Gelambi

PhD scientist with published research experience in Biology
Education

Virginia Tech

Ph.D., Biological Sciences / May, 2024 (anticipated)

Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America

Universidad de Los Andes

Licenciatura, Biological Sciences / June, 2017

Mérida
Experience

Virginia tech

Teaching and research assistant / August, 2019 — May, 2024

Research Expertise
ecology
evolution
chemical ecology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Nature and Landscape Conservation

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Ahsanuzzaman

Economist with expertise in analysis using advanced econometric techniques, in program evaluation in labor, health, environment, and development
Education

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

PhD, Agricultural and Applied Economics / October, 2014

Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

M.Sc., Economics and Finance / August, 2008

Edwardsville, Illinois, United States of America

University of Dhaka

B.S.S., Department of Economics

Dhaka
Research Expertise
Applied Microeconomics
Behavioral Economics
Program Evaluation
Environmental and Resource Economics
Health Economics

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Marie-Pierre Laborie

Professor in Biomaterials Science
Education

Virginia Tech

PhD

Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America

MSc, Wood Science and Technology

Epinal

Habilitation to direct research (HDR), Polymer Processing

Grenoble
Research Expertise
Wood-based biopolymers & Biomaterials
Adhesion
3D printing
Wood Viscoelasticity
Fuel Technology
And 37 more
About
Marie-Pierre Laborie is full professor at the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Freiburg, where she leads the chair of Forest Biomaterials.   She obtained her PhD in Forest Products at Virginia Tech in 2002 and then joined the Department of Civil and Environment Engineering at Washington State Universiy as assistant Professor, where she received promotion to associate professor and tenure. She received her habilitation in Polymer Processing and Engineering from Grenoble Polytechnic Institute in 2009 and subsequently joined the University of Freiburg.  Since 2013, she is an elected Fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science.  She is the author of ca 90 peer-reviewed publications and co-inventor of several patents in the field of value-adding wood polymers in novel polymer materials and applications; Her team’ research work has been recognized with multiple awards including the German High Tech Champion Award 2013 for tannin-based foams and the Thinking Award 2020 for 3D printing with wood polymers.

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Gregory Miller, Ph.D.

Ph.D. Polymer Scientist with experience in polyester, phenolic, PVOH, and post-harvest industries
Education

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

PhD, Macromolecular Science and Engineering

Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America

The University of Southern Mississippi

Bachelor's of Science, Polymer Science and High Performance Materials / May, 2012

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States of America
About
Ph.D. polymer scientist with over seven years of industry experience in fields ranging from composites and resins, water-soluble polymer applications, as well as various post-harvest produce preservation technologies.

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Jeremy Spaulding

Managing Partner and Due Diligence Lead, Evolve Impact
Education

Virginia Tech

MS, Industrial and Systems Engineering / May, 2003

Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America

Virginia Tech

BS, Crop and Soil Environmental Science / June, 1998

Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
Research Expertise
Industrial Engineering
Human Factors Engineering
Commercialization
Entrepreneurial Leadership
Fuel Technology
And 19 more

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Morsi Mahmoud

Expert in Materials Science with a long experiance in Research and Teaching.
Education

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Ph.D, Materials Science and Engineering / May, 2007

Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
Research Expertise
Microwave Processing of Materials
Glass-ceramics
Structure-property relationship
Bio-ceramics

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Maitland Bowen

PhD Candidate in astrophysical instrumentation at the University of Colorado Boulder Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Experience

University of Colorado Boulder Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

PhD Candidate / August, 2021 — Present

Lead graduate student on Supernova Remnants and Proxies for Re-Ionization Testbed Experiment (SPRITE) Cubesat

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Mechanical Engineering Student Co-op / May, 2020 — December, 2020

University of Michigan

Student Research Assistant / May, 2017 — December, 2019

Virginia Tech

Summer Research Fellow / May, 2019 — August, 2019

Research Expertise
optics
instrumentation
ultraviolet astronomy
spectroscopy
Embryology
And 3 more

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Woo-Ram Lee

Senior Quantum Algorithm Scientist, Murray Associates of Utica
Experience

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Research Associate / March, 2020 — Present

University of Alabama

Postdoctoral Research Scholar / March, 2016 — March, 2020

Research Expertise
Quantum Computing
Many-Body Physics
Condensed Matter
Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Condensed Matter Physics
And 8 more

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Bunyakiat Petri

Education

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Doctoral Degree, Science and Technology Studies (STS)

Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America

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