To hear from some past VT-REEL participants, please watch the video here.

Mallory Cerkleski (VT-REEL 2019) is currently a PhD student conducting research on Food Sovereignty and History.
How did the research experience in VT-REEL compare to what you thought / imagined?
"Being able to participate in research opened my eyes to how much I enjoy it. Before this program, I wrote off research as something I would never like to do because I thought of research as tedious tasks, working inside and reading all day. To my surprise, research doesn't always have to look like that. I spent time in the field, getting my hands dirty, interacting with people, and having fun!"

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Logan Heflin (VT-REEL 2019) is currently a junior majoring in Plant Genomics and Biotechnology.
What advice do you have for someone interested in VT-REEL, but nervous about being away from home?
"If you are interested in VT-REEL, but nervous at the prospect of traveling to Virginia to meet new people, I would simple say: GO FOR IT. Some of the best experiences in life just require a leap of faith. ... This is one of the most perfect opportunities to do just that. Throughout the summer, you are able to work with world-class researchers, renowned for their work in their field. It's a great experience!"

Logan is also a co-author on a publication in Phytobiomes, as some of his VT-REEL data was included in the paper. 

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Rachael Walcheck (VT-REEL 2019) earned a Masters degree in Health Sciences. She now works as a laboratory scientist with Northwestern Medicine. 
How did the research experience in VT-REEL compare to what you thought / imagined?
"I haven't conducted real research before this, besides independent projects in lab classes at my University. This experience gave me the freedom to be independent and have control over my project, but also have a mentor there to guide me. I think I gained more confidence being in a lab setting because I know now ... what it's like to be in a real lab."

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​J'lynn Roane (VT-REEL 2023) is currently a senior majoring in Biology. 
What advice do you have for someone interested in VT-REEL, but nervous about conducting fieldwork?
"It is important to be well prepared so you can be as efficient as possible. Fieldwork is also an opportunity to get to know people from other departments and learn what they do. I was surprised by how collaborative everyone at the AREC was with helping with other people's fieldwork. Keep an open mind and you'll enjoy it!"

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Renee Napoliello (VT-REEL 2020) is currently a Masters student conducting research in Genomics.
In summer 2020, our program was online / remote because of the pandemic. That said, what did you like best about VT-REEL?
"Well my favorite experience was meeting all the people involved in the program. I have had minimal interaction with PIs or even graduate students in previous research work. It was really great to meet so many nice people at different stages in their career, who were so supportive of undergraduates."

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Zahria Duncan (on left; VT-REEL 2018) earned a Bachelors degree in Environmental Science. She now works as a laboratory technician at Cymer-Dayton.
How did participating in VT-REEL improve your laboratory skills or understanding of science?
"Since participating in VT-REEL, I completed another internship and began conducting research at my University. I  am still using the knowledge I learned during that experience today. ... So I think VT-REEL gave me the skills I need to be successful in my major and future job aspects."

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​Jonathan Yoder (VT-REEL 2022) earned a Bachelors degree in Biology.
What are you proudest of from your time in VT-REEL?
"With both of my faculty mentors, I was trusted to work independently. I gained valuable experiences in communication and time management. I imagined field work would be more difficult, but it was easy when I was organized and had a plan in mind."

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Hunter Aliff (VT-REEL 2018) is currently a PhD student conducting research in Biochemistry.
How did participating in VT-REEL help you achieve your career goals?
"It gave me valuable networking and mentoring opportunities, which I leveraged to get into graduate school. It also gave me a much wider breadth of knowledge, especially with how to communicate research to the outside world. ... When I'm working in the lab, I now think about how to get my work out of my head so it can help others."

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Sophie Pinton (VT-REEL 2017) earned a Masters degree in Food Science. She now works as an R&D scientist at Brightseed.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself on Day 1 of VT-REEL?
"Try to push yourself to reach out and ask the faculty members, your lab team, and your peers about any concepts or methods that may seem intriguing to you or may even confuse or intimidate you. You will be rewarded with knowledge, skills and confidence to continue to tackle new challenges."

Sophie is also a co-author on a publication in the Journal of Food Protection, as some of her VT-REEL data was included in the paper.

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2017 cohort:
Allison Coomber earned her PhD in Genomics and works in industry as a bioinformatician.
Suzanne Laliberte earned her PhD in Plant Pathology. 
Samuel Park earned his Masters in Crop Science and works in industry as an agronomist. 
Luis Santos is currently a medical student in California.
Hannah Sawyer works in soil conversation at the USDA.

2018 cohort:
Malia Bauder earned her Masters in Genetic Counseling and works in industry.
​Casey Gregory is currently a Masters student conducting research on honeybees in Virginia.
​Chase Mullins is currently a PhD student conducting research on marine bacteria in Indiana.
Alexander Varaksa earned his Masters in Plant Pathology.

2019 cohort:
Madigan Hawkins earned her Masters in Plant Science.

2020 cohort:
Katherine Benza is currently a PhD student conducting research on the cytoskeleton in Missouri.
Hannah Bonyak earned her Masters in Plant Pathology and works at VDACS.
Jazmin Jones works as an enologist in California.
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2021 cohort:
​Mikhyle Fehlman works as a laboratory technician in Pennsylvania. He is also co-author on a recent publication
​     in Nature Scientific Reports, as some of his VT-REEL data was included in the paper.
Sophia Link is currently a PhD student conducting research on cell signaling in North Carolina.
Benjamin Stallings works in industry as a quality control analyst.
Shelby Williford is currently a PhD student conducting research on ecosystem services in North Carolina.

2022 cohort:
Brandon Bickley and Madison Payne both work as laboratory technicians in Virginia.
Emma Nieland is currently a PhD student conducting research on plant pathology in Virginia.
​Celeste Phillips received recognition for her outstanding contributions in undergraduate research in 2024.