Posted on by lbarron

July 21-27, 2025

To see full descriptions for any item in the summary list, please click on the continue reading link below the list.

0.   Ongoing Services – updated May 2025   

This Week’s Events: 

  1. OPEN WRITING DROP-IN HOURS- Thursday
  2. STAYING GROUNDED IN UNCERTAIN TIMES- PART 2 – Thursday
  3. GLC CAFÉ – Thursday
  4. SCIENCE ON TAP – Thursday

Administrative Announcements:   

  1. GET CERTIFIED TO TEACH COMPUTING AND DATA SKILLS- 1st posting
  2. TOOLS AND APPROACHES FOR POLICY MAKING IN STEM-H DOMAINS – 1st posting
  3. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR GPSS TRAVEL FUND PROGRAM – UP TO $500 AVAILABLE FOR CONFERENCE EXPENSES – 2nd  posting

Jobs:

  1. RESEARCH INTELLIGENCE GA POSITION IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES – 1st posting

Funding Opportunities:

  1. P.E.O. SCHOLAR AWARD – DEADLINE: August 22, 2025

    Volunteers and research participants sought: 
  1. CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINERS NEEDED FOR A PAID STUDY (IRB #25-583) – 1st posting
  2. BEGINNERS IN RESISTANCE TRAINING NEEDED FOR A PAID STUDY – 1st posting
  3. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY ON MASCULINITY IN FAMILIES – 1st posting
  4. LOOKING FOR RISING SECOND AND FIFTH GRADERS THIS SUMMER TO PARTICIPATE IN A VIRGINIA TECH LEARNING STUDY (IRB PROTOCOL #24-1349) – 1st posting (1/1)
  5. TRACKING RESEARCH FOR SEARCH & RESCUE – 1st posting
  6. RECRUITING ADULT ATHLETES FOR CLEATS & PLANTAR LOADING STUDY – 1st posting
  7. RECRUITING FOR A PAID RESEARCH STUDY ON USING GESTURES FOR LEARNING – 2nd  posting
  8. MRI RESEARCH STUDY RECRUITING YOUNG ADULTS – 2nd  posting
  9. RISING 4TH AND 5TH GRADERS NEEDED FOR WORD PROBLEM STUDY (IRB 25-565) – 2nd posting
  10. DEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE AT VT NETWORK – 3rd posting

Upcoming Events:    

  1. FREE COMPUTING AND DATA WORKSHOPS – August 13

 0. Ongoing Services – updated May 2025 

  • GRADUATE SCHOOL: Graduate School hours: In-person advising, drop-off or pick-up of documents and materials, and a space to study and take a break! Visit 120 GLC, June 2, 2025, through August 1, 2025, walk-in hours will be held on Monday and Thursday, 11am- 3pm. Phone 540 231-8636 or email grads@vt.edu. If you prefer Zoom advising: request one-on-one assistantship or academic advising by using our online request form to set-up a Zoom session.   
  • CAREER ADVISING: schedule career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html.
  • COOK COUNSELING: Drop in hours for Cook Counseling: Fridays from 1 to 3pm. Students can call 540-231-6557 to schedule an appointment with the Embedded Counselor at the GLC or the embedded counselor with their program.  
  • WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/   
  • GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573   

This Week’s Events   

1. OPEN WRITING DROP-IN HOURS
Thursday, July 24, 9am-4pm, GLC Room C
Need a flexible writing space? Drop in during open hours to work at your own pace in a quiet, supportive environment— no registration required! Snacks and coffee will be provided during all sessions.

2. STAYING GROUNDED IN UNCERTAIN TIMES – PART 2
Thursday, July 24, 11:00am, Blacksburg, GLC room Band Washington, DC: Academic Building One, Library Conference Room 5100,or Zoom: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/7279001166. Feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty around visas, funding, or your future? You’re not alone. This 2-part series is designed for graduate students navigating anxiety, isolation, and stress during unpredictable times. Each session offers: Tools to manage stress, anxiety, and burnout; space for reflection and connection; supportive, judgment-free community: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/7279001166.

3. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, June 26, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of your grad student and Grad School colleagues. Relax, network, and load up on caffeine and/or carbs. Bring your own mug if you can. If you have any questions, please contact Lindsay Barron lbarron@vt.edu.

4. SCIENCE ON TAP
Thursday, July 24, 5:30-6:30pm, Rising Silo
Animals have lived on earth for over half a billion years, but what did those first animals look like and how are they related to the diversity we know today? Join us to learn from Prescott Vayda, a PhD student at Virginia Tech, about how paleontologists use clues from the fossil record to decipher the relationships of ancient organisms. We will explore the methods used to build trees with the help of candy bars! Is a Snickers more related to a Reese’s or a Kit Kat? *ALLERGY NOTE- THERE WILL BE PEANUT-CONTAINING PRODUCTS AT THIS EVENT. https://communicatingscience.isce.vt.edu/css-events.html
  

Administrative Announcements   

5. GET CERTIFIED TO TEACH COMPUTING AND DATA SKILLS- 1st posting
The VT Carpentries community is seeking new volunteer instructors for workshops on R, Python, Bash, Git, spreadsheets, OpenRefine, and qualitative data analysis software. New instructors will take part in a four half-day instructor training event to learn pedagogy and live coding skills to earn instructor certification through The Carpentries (carpentries.org). The Carpentries is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to teaching foundational coding and data science skills to researchers worldwide. Contact Dr. Nathaniel Porter (ndporter@vt.edu) and Dr. Jesse Sadler (jrsadler@vt.edu) for more information.

6. TOOLS AND APPROACHES FOR POLICY MAKING IN STEM-H DOMAINS – 1st posting
Spaces still remain in the graduate elective STAT/PSCI/SPIA 5134 this fall, meeting Monday evenings online. The course surveys key methods in policy relevant analysis, such as system dynamic and agent-based models, systematic review, and network science and is aimed toward students in STEM and health domains seeking to perform research with policy implications. For more information before registering, contact Dr. Nathaniel Porter (ndporter@vt.edu).

7. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR GPSS TRAVEL FUND PROGRAM – UP TO $500 AVAILABLE FOR CONFERENCE EXPENSES – 2nd posting
Graduate students presenting research conducted at Virginia Tech are eligible to apply for the Fall 2025 Travel Fund Program! Grants may cover registration, lodging, meals, abstract fees, and other costs of presenting at an in-person or virtual conference with a start date from Oct. 1- Dec. 31. Students from all disciplines are invited to apply, even if your conference abstract has not been officially accepted. Be sure to carefully read the instructions. Applications open July 15th and are due August 19th at 11:59 PM. Please e-mail Megan Grey at (greym@vt.edu) with any questions, and visit https://gpss.vt.edu/programs/tfp.html for full details and instructions.

Jobs   

RESEARCH INTELLIGENCE GA POSITION IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES – 1st posting
Minimum qualifications required
-Advanced coding capability in modern language(s) such as Python and/or R
– Experience conducting searches in academic databases
– Knowledge of the scholarly publishing environment
– Excellent oral and written communication skills
– Must be a graduate student at Virginia Tech who meets the University’s requirements for a graduate assistantship position
The goal of this position is to support the growing department of Research Impact and Intelligence (RII) within the University Libraries. RII currently provides analyses for units across campus at all levels, including supporting university-wide initiatives within the Office of Research and Innovation. Duties will include coding and analysis of bibliometric and publication data, publishing data/code products and supporting workshops taught by the department. To apply login to Handshake https://vt.joinhandshake.com/ and search for job posting 1006742.  Application deadline: July 31, 2025 11:59 PM eastern https://lib.vt.edu/research-teaching/research-impact-intelligence.html

Funding Opportunities:

8. P.E.O. SCHOLAR AWARD – DEADLINE: August 22, 2025
P.E.O. Scholar Awards provides substantial merit-based awards for women of the U.S. and Canada who are pursuing doctoral-level degrees at an accredited college or university. The award amount is $25,000. P.E.O. Scholars are those who are at the top of their fields and will have a positive impact on society. They have demonstrated abilities to make significant contributions in their field of study, having assumed leadership positions in university academics, scientific research, medicine, law, performing arts, economics, history, literature, government or other demanding fields.
The nomination process in 2025 is for the academic year 2026-2027. Nominees should have a graduation date range of May 2027 to August 2028. Nominations must go through a local P.E.O. chapter. If interested in applying, respond to this notice to, (sandi825@yahoo.com), before August 1st. Final applications to local chapters must be completed by August 22nd to be considered. More information is at www.peointernational.org.

Volunteers and Research Participants Sought    

9. CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINERS NEEDED FOR A PAID STUDY (IRB #25-583) – 1st posting (1/1)
Our research lab at Virginia Tech is exploring next-generation wearable technologies to support resistance training. We are looking for certified personal trainers to collaborate with beginner trainees and help co-design innovative wearable solutions. Participants must hold a valid personal training certification. Compensation:$25/hour. Study recruitment survey: https://forms.gle/yLjCs8YKSiZRWELNA.

10. BEGINNERS IN RESISTANCE TRAINING NEEDED FOR A PAID STUDY – 1st posting (1/2)
Are you new to resistance training? Our research lab at Virginia Tech is developing next-generation wearable technologies to support strength training and prevent injury. We are seeking participants with limited gym experience to work alongside certified personal trainers and help co-design innovative wearable solutions. Participants should have little to no experience with resistance training at the gym. $25/hour.  Study survey link: https://forms.gle/2bwJuWd8L8kinVCo9.

11. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY ON MASCULINITY IN FAMILIES – 1st posting
Participants needed for a study of how men learn masculinity in their families of origin. Participants will participate in a 60-90 minute, semi-structured interview either in person or on Zoom (camera on). After the interview, participants will be compensated with a $30 Amazon gift card. To participate, individuals must identify as a man, currently live in the United States, and be between the ages of 21 and 30. Compensation $30 Amazon gift card. Eligibility survey: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/t/AVVVtZ6aH6.

12. LOOKING FOR RISING SECOND AND FIFTH GRADERS THIS SUMMER TO PARTICIPATE IN A VIRGINIA TECH LEARNING STUDY (IRB PROTOCOL #24-1349) – 1st posting (1/1)
Participants needed for Virginia Tech Human Development and Family Science study (IRB # 24-1349). This research is to learn more about rising second and fifth graders’ literacy, math, self-regulation, executive function skills, how those skills are related to each other, as well as the role stress plays in the development of those skills, so educators and/or parents can better support children’s development and literacy and math learning. Eligible individuals will participate in one 60-minute in-person video recorded session either on the Virginia Tech Blacksburg campus, your home, your child’s school, after school, or summer program. Participant qualifications: Parent/guardians of a rising second grader or rising fifth grader during the 2025 summer, both parent/guardians and child are able to speak and read English. Compensation $20 upon completion of the session and survey if it takes place in the Virginia Tech Blacksburg campus or your home, or $5 if the session takes place in your child’s school, after school, or summer program. Fill out the study interest form here: https://bit.ly/VTLearningStudy.

13. TRACKING RESEARCH FOR SEARCH & RESCUE – 1st posting
A graduate student at Virginia Tech is seeking volunteer participants for research regarding Search and Rescue tracking (IRB #24-1149). Participants are asked to make tracks with shoes or boots then barefoot and provide access to their footwear. The researcher will travel to your location in Blacksburg or Christiansburg to measure tracks in a portable sandbox and most pairs of participants’ footwear collections. The measurements take 30-60 minutes per participant. There are no age limits for involvement in this study. Your contribution to advancing the science of tracking is appreciated. Please, if interested, contact Rob Speiden for more details (robert72@vt.edu).

14.RECRUITING ADULT ATHLETES FOR CLEATS & PLANTAR LOADING STUDY – 1st posting
The Granata Lab is investigating how cleat type and sex affect plantar loading and performance in adult athletes! Participation consists of a one-time, one-hour commitment that will take place outside on campus to complete two different movement tasks in two different cleat types. To be eligible, participants must: 1) be between 18-35 years old; 2) wear a shoe size between 7-12M or 8.5-13.5W; 3) currently play a cleated sport at least once a week;  4) have not had any leg injuries in the past 6 months; 5) have not had surgery in the past 3 months and 6) not be pregnant. If you are interested, please submit this form: https://forms.office.com/r/Rzp6yWANzt.

15. RECRUITING FOR A PAID RESEARCH STUDY ON USING GESTURES FOR LEARNING – 2nd posting
The Mind Music Machine Lab at Virginia Tech is seeking individuals to participate in a study to determine how gestures can improve the acquisition of algorithmic interpretation skills. During this study, participants will: Complete a demographic survey; Learn an algorithmic language either with or without accompanying hand gestures over the course of three 30-minute sessions; Take two tests in a fourth 30-minute session, which assesses acquisition of various algorithmic interpretation skills; Take a short 10-minute semi-structured interview. Compensation of $20 will be given for participating in the four 30-minute sessions (2 hours total, divided across at least four days). Participant qualifications: Over 18 years old, have normal hearing, vision (or correct-to-normal vision), and fine motor skills. For more information on how to participate, contact Jacqueline Bruen,(jacquelineb@vt.edu).

16. MRI RESEARCH STUDY RECRUITING YOUNG ADULTS – 2nd posting
The MEM lab is recruiting participants for an fMRI study of young adult cognition. Participants are compensated for their time at approximately $30 per hour. If you are between the ages of 18 and 50 and interested in learning more, please contact: vtmemorylab@gmail.com. Primary investigator: Rachel Diana, (rdiana@vt.edu), 540-231-1913, Biomedical Research Alliance of New York Institutional Review Board (BRANY) Protocol #VT18-1077-568

17. RISING 4TH AND 5TH GRADERS NEEDED FOR WORD PROBLEM STUDY (IRB 25-565) – 3rd posting
Will your child be starting 4th or 5th grade this year? This summer, researchers in the VT Learning and Development Lab are looking for rising 4th and rising 5th graders and their parents to participate in a Virginia Tech research study (IRB #25-565). Participation involves one 60-minute video-recorded session, either on the Blacksburg campus or in community-based locations in Floyd or Roanoke. Children will complete word problems and other math and reading activities. Parents complete a brief questionnaire, lasting about 15 minutes. Children must be rising 4th or rising 5th graders (i.e., starting 4th or 5th grade in Fall 2025). Parents and children must be able to speak and read English. Compensation: $20 cash; children will also receive prizes during the session. If you are interested, please fill out this form: www.bit.ly/VTMathStudy

18.  DEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE AT VT NETWORK – 3rd  posting
Developmental Science Researchers at Virginia Tech have a new Developmental Science at VT Network, a comprehensive database connecting families interested in participating in research studies with researchers in the Psychology or Human Development and Family Science Departments. If you want to learn more about research opportunities for you and/or your child(ren), please share your information with us. Researchers will then contact you with details about studies you may be eligible for. To join the network, visit www.bit.ly/VTResearch. Thank you for your interest and support in advancing science!

Upcoming Events   

19. FREE COMPUTING AND DATA WORKSHOPS
Wednesday, August 13 – Tuesday, August 19, in person at TLOS or remotely via Zoom
Interested in improving your research data and computing skills before the start of the new academic year? Join us for a hands-on workshop in August 2025 in Blacksburg or online. Workshops are 9am to 4:30pm with lunch from 12:30 to 1:30. Lunch and refreshments will be provided for in-person participants. The workshops are open to all VT community members. You do not need any experience with the software to participate, but you will need access to a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. Take the whole series of workshops or choose the one that best fits your needs.
Workshops offered:
Intro to Unix and Git (Wed, 13 August),
Intro to Python and JupyterLab (Thur, 14 August),
Intro to R and RStudio (Mon, 18 August)
Intro to Excel and OpenRefine (Tue, 19 August).
Register through the Library Calendar: https://calendar.lib.vt.edu or PDN: https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/?query=carpentries.