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Virginia Tech Carilion Biomedical Research Expansion

The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC celebrated the grand opening of the state-of-the-art 139,000-square-foot expansion of its research facilities with a ribbon cutting on Oct. 12, 2021, which will included leaders from state and local government, Virginia Tech, and Carilion Clinic. The keynote address was delivered by the director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at NIH, Dr. Walter Koroshetz.


Project background

Project fact sheet

The state-of-the-art, 139,000-square foot Virginia Tech Carilion (VTC) Biomedical Research expansion facility is home to more than 20 teams of biomedical researchers with the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.

In the facility, scientists focus on cardiovascular research, obesity and metabolism, neuroscience, body-device interfaces, cancer, infection and immunology, and more. The expansion facilitates experiential learning for undergraduate and graduate students and enhance collaboration for faculty and students across Virginia Tech’s nine colleges and throughout the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke.

In partnership with University Libraries, the new Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Library includes a 3-D printing studio, data visualization studio, and virtual/augmented reality studio. In addition, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine opened its animal cancer care and research center on the building’s first floor to provide advanced clinical care and cancer research opportunities for companion animals and their families.

From its meadow garden green roof, to its underground rainwater cistern, the new research expansion located at 4 Riverside Circle in Roanoke is also a model for smart green design. The building is currently being evaluated from the U.S. Green Building Council for a LEED Version 4 Rating. 

Rendering of expansion project