Virginia Tech® home

Alumni

Industry + Academia + Management

Our alumni are working in every branch of engineering — as faculty at top schools, technical staff at government labs, and senior engineers and managers in industry. 

Photo of Justin Laiti '22

Alumni Spotlight: Justin Laiti '22

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering, Justin continued his education at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.  This research allowed him to utilize interests fostered at Virginia Tech such as wearable devices, participatory research, and psychological health and well-being.

Read more about Justin's experiences as a BEAM student, his time at Virginia Tech here.

Leah Thomas

Alumni Spotlight: Leah Thomas '22

After graduating from the inaugural class of biomedical engineering undergraduates in 2022, Leah worked as a design engineer in the experimental electronics and neurosurgical business units of Stryker Instruments. She'll be returning to Blacksburg soon to join the inaugural Master of Science Biodesign program through the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics.

Read more about Leah's experience as a BEAM student, her time at Virginia Tech, her path to industry and what's next.  

Meet Our BEAM Alumni

  • Article Item
    Laura Wegner dressed in graduation regalia.
    Class of 2023: BEAM Outstanding Senior Laura Wenger , article

    Laura is open to and ready for what the future holds, saying, "Growing in the program really prepared me for the lifelong journey ahead and for that I'm very thankful."

  • Redirect Item
    Abigail Bock with her service dog, Duke, in front of Lane Stadium before graduation.
    Abigail Bock , redirect

    After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering in 2022, I started working with the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a biomedical patent examiner. I’m responsible for reviewing electrosurgical device applications for novelty, patentability, and feasibility in accordance with patent law and regulations. This includes any device that uses or delivers energy to tissue in a medical procedure or operation theater. I work with inventors, attorneys, and other examiners to determine the best way to describe claimed inventions and improve applications for potential allowability. When I am not working, I like running, hiking, paddle boarding, and stargazing with my dog, Duke.

  • General Item
    Picture of Dean Entrekin
    Dean Entrekin

    "A lot of the coursework I took as an SBES student helped mold my professional path in biologics and synthetic biomaterials, and that’s where I really started my career in industry. My thesis work and internships helped solidify my interest in spine biologics in particular."

  • Redirect Item
    Alex Hyler, alumna of Virginia Tech from the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, leads research and commercialization at CytoRecovery, a local start-up. Photo by Lee Hawkins.
    Finish up to start-up: Biomedical engineering alumna applies degree as vice president of local company , redirect

    Since 2018, Hyler has been chief scientist officer and vice president at CytoRecovery, a start-up co-founded by Rafael Davalos, the L. Preston Wade professor in biomedical engineering and mechanics, and Leo Harris, alumnus of Virginia Tech.

HokieBird posing
Hokie Bird poses for a photo at the homecoming game against UNC.