November 29, 2021

After 16 years of service and leadership at Virginia Tech, Matt Hulver is leaving next week for a tremendous opportunity to serve as the Vice President of Research at Arizona State University.

During Matt’s tenure as the Executive Director of The Fralin Life Sciences Institute (FLSI) he worked tirelessly to develop strategic direction for the new Institute after the merger of University resources from the former Fralin Life Science Institute and the Biocomplexity Institute. Over the last two years, he was instrumental in facilitating the charters of two new centers, The Center for Zoonotic, Emerging, and Arthropod-Borne Pathogens and The Center for Translational Plant Sciences. Formation of these new centers was part of a larger strategy to bring cohesiveness and visibility to one of Virginia Tech’s greatest strengths, the environmental-related sciences. Matt also effectively worked with his leadership team to support and develop cross-campus initiatives to make Virginia Tech a more diverse and inclusive community, including new partnerships with the Graduate School, the Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program, the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, and the Virginia Tech Recovery Community. Matt’s efforts improved operations of Virginia Tech Core Services, created new communities of collaboration in Steger Hall, provided support and infrastructure for a new NSF-funded center and multiple training grant programs, created several new live animal research facilities, and generated new collaborations with the Institute of Society, Culture, and Environment that benefit the entire University. Matt regularly worked cooperatively with academic units to recruit and retain outstanding faculty, and to acquire new state-of-the-science equipment to foster team science and innovative research.

In a short time, Matt’s accomplishments, vision, character, and thoughtful approach to leadership garnered the attention and respect of faculty, University leaders, and key external stakeholders around the Commonwealth. Matt, thank you for providing FLSI with a strong foundation and launch-point for a vibrant future! We will miss you, but your legacy will live on and we wish you well with your exciting new endeavors.

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