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Virginia Tech has announced the following:

Lauren Childs, professor of mathematical biology in the College of Science, has been appointed to the Archana S. Sathaye Junior Faculty Fellowship in Mathematics.

Childs studies infectious diseases from perspectives originating in epidemiology, immunology, ecology, and human behavior. Her research has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Nature, Nature Communications, PLOS One, and PLOS Pathogens, among other journals.

She received bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and chemistry from Duke University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Cornell University.

Bradley Denby, assistant professor of aerospace and ocean engineering in the College of Engineering, has been named the Marty and Anna Irvine AOE Faculty Fellow.

Denby’s research addresses computational constraints encountered by small satellite systems, particularly with respect to data processing in orbit. His seminal work on orbital edge computing lays out a vision for using nanosatellites to perform machine inference in space rather than relying solely on Earth-based ground stations.

He received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Southern Illinois University; a master’s degree in computer engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology; and a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

Edward Fox, professor of computer science in the College of Engineering, has been conferred the title of professor emeritus.

A member of the Tech community for more than 41 years, Fox directed master’s degree theses, doctoral theses, and master’s degree reports, and he served on hundreds of master’s degree and doctoral committees. In addition, Fox served as principal or co-principal investigator on grants, doing multidisciplinary research.

His honors include fellowships in Association for Computing Machinery and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and his awards from Tech include College of Engineering W.S. “Pete� White Award for Innovation in Engineering Education.

Fox received his bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his master’s degree and Ph.D. in computer science from Cornell University.

Paul M. Herr, professor of marketing in the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of professor emeritus.

Herr, a member of the Tech community for more than 16 years, made contributions through his work in teaching and research focusing on consumer-decision making, memory and judgment, and attitude theory surrounding brand strategies.

His scholarship was published in numerous peer-reviewed academic journals in marketing and psychology. In addition, Herr co-authored four books, co-edited the “Journal of Consumer Psychology,� wrote multiple book chapters, and presented frequently at international academic conferences.

Herr received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. in social psychology from Indiana University.

Trey Lewis, assistant professor of management in Pamplin College of Business, has been appointed the Union Junior Faculty Fellowship in Entrepreneurship.

His research covers critical topics in entrepreneurship, including new venture formation, entrepreneurial action and inaction and dynamics surrounding how startups compete for talent in the labor market.

He has published in journals such as the Academy of Management Journal and Journal of Business Venturing. Beyond his research, Lewis has contributed to the entrepreneurship ecosystem at Tech through teaching and mentorship, equipping students with critical entrepreneurial skills.

He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from James Madison University, and a Ph.D. in strategic management, entrepreneurship and organizations from the University of Tennessee.

Thomas H. Mills III, associate professor of building construction in the College of Engineering, has been conferred the title of associate professor emeritus.

Mills, a member of the Tech community for more than 31 years, published manuscripts, received recognition by the Associated Schools of Construction as an outstanding researcher, and taught more than 2,000 students with nearly 5,000 enrollments in his classes.

He held various recognitions for his work, including the 2022 College of Architecture and Urban Studies Lifetime Contribution Award. The College of Architecture and Urban Studies is now the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design.

Mills received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tech.

Brandy Salmon has been named Tech’s first vice president for innovation and partnerships.

Since 2017, Salmon has led teams focused on connecting the university with corporations, foundations, and alumni worldwide. She previously worked for more than a decade promoting technology commercialization, innovation and strategic partnerships, including for RTI International.

Salmon has served in different roles at Tech, including as the initial managing director for the university’s operations in Alexandria, and most recently as associate vice president for innovation and partnerships.

Her expanded role includes a close collaboration with colleagues from the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC) to provide strategic counsel on how the Corporate Research Center can extend the university’s reach.

Dwane M. Sterling has been named associate vice president for Enterprise Solutions and Enabling Technologies within the Division of Information Technology at Tech.

Sterling, a nationally recognized leader in digital transformation and IT strategy with more than 20 years of experience, will assume this new role beginning Monday.

He most recently served as chief information officer at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he led a modernization of the college’s IT systems, implemented cloud-based enterprise solutions, and strengthened cybersecurity infrastructure.

Sterling’s accomplishments include receiving the Oracle Summit Award for Excellence in Digital Transformation and Innovation in 2023 and serving on Oracle’s Higher Education Executive Committee.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and maintains certifications in project management, IT security, and service management.

James M. “Jim� Tanko, professor of chemistry in the College of Science, has been conferred the title of professor emeritus.

Tanko, a member of the Tech community for more than 38 years, was principal or co-principal investigator on numerous federal grants researching electrochemistry, kinetics, synthetic methods, green chemistry, mechanisms of enzyme-catalyzed mechanisms, and supercritical fluids.

Throughout his career, he served as a mentor and adviser for numerous undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral research associates and helped them develop careers in academia, industry, and the government sector.

Tanko received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from University of Maryland Baltimore County and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Iowa State University.

Saskia L. van de Gevel, chair and professor in Appalachian State University’s Department of Geography and Planning, has been appointed the next dean of Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment.

Van de Gevel officially starts on July 1 and will be on campus starting Aug. 1, succeeding Paul Winistorfer, who is retiring after 16 years as dean.

She has served as chair of Appalachian State University’s Department of Geography and Planning since 2020. Under her leadership, the department secured major research grants, revised the curriculum and launched an online graduate certificate program in geographic information science, and implemented a new scholarship for first-generation college students.

Her work spans continents, from studying endangered mountain forests in the United States to studying environmental stewardship strategies in national parks across Europe and Africa.

Van de Gevel holds a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Tennessee; a Master of Science in forestry from Southern Illinois University; and a Bachelor of Science in forest science from Pennsylvania State University.

LAW

Super Lawyers has recognized Salem attorneys Jim H. Guynn Jr. and Christopher Dadak of the government law firm Guynn Waddell, P.C.

Guynn was selected to the 2025 Virginia Super Lawyers list, an honor that recognizes only 5% of attorneys in Virginia. Dadak was selected to the 2025 Virginia Rising Stars list, which honors only 2.5% of attorneys in Virginia.

Guynn and Dadak advise and defend localities and public clients throughout the Commonwealth.