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EngelPalooza 2022

The HokieBird stands in the middle of a student presenter pointing towards their scientific research poster while two students pay close attention.

On Wednesday, October 12, 2022, The Department of Biochemistry hosted its fourth annual student research showcase: EngelPalooza! 

This year, the event was held outside on Fralin Lawn from 10:30AM-2:30 PM and we want to thank everyone who joined and made this such a great event! 170 people attended this year's EngelPalooza!

We started off the morning with a keynote presentation from biochemistry alumna, Dr. Vidhya Sivakumaran ('10). Her presentation covered her time at Virginia Tech and how her career has evolved over the years in ways she didn't expect. Before concluding her presentation, Sivakumaran bestowed her wisdom onto our students. 

Throughout the late morning and early evening, we had 23 undergraduate presenters and 14 graduate presenters share their expertise with fellow scientists in our department, people within the Virginia Tech scientific community, and beyond! Research topics throughout the showcase covered computational chemistry and molecular dynamics, pathogenesis and vector-borne disease, drug discovery, flavin redox chemistry, glycomaterial characterization, insect-plant interactions, and molecular plant physiology.

We also have two live science demonstrations of Oxford Nanopore Sequencng and Virtual Reality Molecular Modeling and a visit from the HokieBird himself!

Additionally, we had six information tables covering various topics and opportunities in our department including, ASBMB Degree Certification, Undergraduate Biochemistry Club, How to Get Inolved in Undergraduate Research, Study Abroad Opportunities, Biochemistry Graduate Student Association (BcGSA), and Peer Mentor Program.

EngelPalooza is made possible by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence program. Special thanks to the Biochemistry Department, as well as the department's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, for their continued support and involvement. 

Undergraduate Presenters

  • Hannah Cannon
  • Maria Dorodnitsyna
  • Christa Greatorex-Potter
  • David Harris
  • Meghana Kamineni
  • Alysa Lanier
  • Riley Leathem
  • Mikaela LoBosco
  • Marion LoPresti
  • Emily Mechnick
  • Gabriel Mendelson
  • James Mullet
  • Kathryn Paasch
  • Madison Payne
  • Kiara Randhawa
  • Dylan Reil
  • Tantima Sattayaphanichkul
  • Shirin Sayani
  • Ryan Schurr
  • Sarah Seay
  • Overton Temple
  • Samantha Tollefson
  • Eric Truong

Graduate Presenters

  • Thuc-Anh Dinh
  • Bekah Fogarty
  • Maegan Gabby
  • Laura Gil Pineda
  • Christian Heryakusuma
  • Bela Khairunisa
  • Jiapeng Liu
  • Mecaila McClune
  • Haley Michel
  • Joanna Reinhold
  • Spenser Stone
  • Forde Upshur
  • Ash VanWinkle
Full EngelPalooza Schedule with presenters, posters, and abstracts

Photos from event

Two students hold up various scientific props and smile towards the camera. The student on the left is holding a small vial with liquid inside while the student on the right is holding a UPLC column. A student stands next to their scientific research poster outside under a tent in a symposium. A student stands next to their scientific research poster outside under a tent in a symposium. Two students stand next to their scientific research poster outside under a tent in a symposium. A student stands next to their scientific research poster outside under a tent in a symposium. A student stands next to their scientific research poster outside under a tent in a symposium and listens intently to a student in front of a crowd. A student stands next to their scientific research poster outside under a tent in a symposium and points towards one of the boxes while in mid-dialogue. Biochemistry alumna holds a mic and PowerPoint clicker and gives a presentation to a crowd of students. Through a crowd of four students, one student stands next to their scientific research poster outside under a tent and is talking to someone who asked them a question. Through a crowd of students, one student stands next to their scientific research poster outside under a tent and is talking to someone who asked them a question. The HokieBird stands outside at an event holding a scientific instrument. The HokieBird stands in the middle of a student presenter presenting their scientific research poster while another students pay close attention while taking notes on their phone. The HokieBird sits at a folding table holding a scientific instrument. The words "Oxford Nanopore Sequencing" are printed on an 11x14 white piece of paper and taped to the table. The HokieBird sits at a folding table and looks towards the camera. The words "Oxford Nanopore Sequencing" are printed on an 11x14 white piece of paper and taped to the table. A student extends their arm to take a selfie with the HokieBird in front of their scientific research poster. A student points to their scientific research poster and presents their findings to the HokieBird. A student looks towards their scientific research poster and presents their findings to the HokieBird. The HokieBird stands in the middle of a student presenter pointing towards their scientific research poster while two students pay close attention. The HokieBird extends his arms in a V-shape towards a student presenter gesturing towards their scientific research poster. A crowd of students looking at the poster separate the HokieBird from the presenter. A students gestures towards their scientific research poster and is talking with a student about their research. Two students look closely at a scientific research poster outside under a tent. One student is gesturing towards the poster. Two students stand in front of a scientific research poster. The student in the foreground is looking towards another student who is gesturing towards themselves as they talk. Through a crowd of three students, one student stands next to their scientific research poster and smiles at the crowd. A student presenter talks with another student about their scientific research poster next to them outside under a tent. Behind the shoulders of two students, another student in front of them is talking to them and holding up virtual reality hand controllers. Two students seated inside are wearing virtual reality headsets over their heads and eyes and are holding onto hand controllers. One student seated inside is wearing a virtual reality headset over their head and eyes and is holding onto hand controllers. Three students seated inside wearing virtual reality headsets and controllers. Six students seated inside wearing virtual reality headsets and controllers. Two students look towards a scientific research poster. One is gesturing towards their poster while the other is listening intently. A student presenter points at their scientific research poster while two students listen intently. A faculty member and student look at a poster while the student presenter points and looks towards the sky.