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Tina Savla named executive director of Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment

Tina Savla has been named executive director of the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment, succeeding founding Executive Director Karen Roberto, who led the institute for 20 years. A professor of human development and family science and nationally recognized social gerontologist, Savla brings a strong record of interdisciplinary research, collaboration, and externally funded scholarship to the role. As executive director, she plans to build on the institute’s strong foundation by strengthening interdisciplinary connections, expanding opportunities for external funding, and increasing the visibility and impact of Virginia Tech’s social sciences and humanities.

Tina Savla smiles for a portrait in a Virginia Tech building.

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Science on Tap: The Case of the Disappearing Water , redirect
Where does our water go when drought strikes? When reservoirs shrink and groundwater disappears beneath our feet, how can we know what is happening to the water we can’t see? Join geoscientist Esther Oyedele at Rising Silo Brewery at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 for an interactive journey into the hidden world of water. Discover how scientists use satellites, groundwater observations, and even subtle movements of the earth’s surface to track changes in our water supply. Then, put your scientific instincts to the test by working with others to follow the clues and solve the mystery of disappearing water.
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Closing the Broadband Blind Spot for Rural Communities , redirect
Shaddi Hasan, an assistant professor of computer science, has received a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program award to advance his research on reliable internet access in rural and Indigenous communities. Hasan’s broader research on digital equity was previously supported by ISCE through the 2023-24 Preparing Your Research for Extramural Proposals program, where his project focused on improving broadband data collection and integrity. His latest work aims to improve broadband data and give rural and Indigenous communities better tools to advocate for expanded access and investment.
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Apply Now: Whole Health Consortium Seed Grants , redirect
The Whole Health Consortium is accepting letters of intent for its annual seed grant program, supporting interdisciplinary, community-engaged research advancing health and well-being, with rural health and technology for Whole Health identified as this year’s priority areas. The Advancing Partnerships track offers up to $40,000 for multidisciplinary research teams preparing for center- or program project-scale external funding, while the Incubating Emergent Collaborations track offers up to $10,000 for small-scale projects that bring together scholars from at least two different disciplines. Projects must include at least one community or clinical partner, and letters of intent are due Oct. 30 at noon.