National Science Foundation
COMPASS Center
We are tackling the grand challenge of uncovering the genetic, molecular, cellular, and chemical rules of life underlying virus-host interactions through community-based and ethically grounded research.
Research
We bring together experts from Virginia Tech, Cornell University, the University of Michigan, and Wake Forest University to tackle the grand challenge of uncovering the genetic, molecular, cellular, and chemical rules of life underlying virus-host interactions through community-based and ethically grounded research. These research pioneers will train the innovators of tomorrow, converging around the four thrusts: Jump, Replicate, Persist, and Empower.
Recent News
Amartya Dutta: Paving the way for new therapies using AI-assisted drug repurposing
The following story was written in Fall 2025 by Kylor Chou in ENGL 4824: Science Writing as part of a collaboration among the English department, the Center for Communicating Science, and the NSF COMPASS Center.
COMPASS Student Lauren Tucker Featured in VT News
We’re proud to see one of our students, Lauren Tucker, featured in Virginia Tech News, for her work in translating public health research into accessible, community-focused communication. Through her involvement with the COMPASS Center and Center for Communicating Science at Virginia Tech, Lauren has contributed to a wide range of initiatives aimed at making science more accessible and engaging.
Science on Tap: The hidden secrets of hepatitis E
NSF COMPASS member Hannah Brown presented her research on hepatitis E, a zoonotic virus that can spread from animals to humans, at Science on Tap, a monthly event held at Rising Silo Brewery. The series is sponsored and supported by the Center for Communicating Science and Virginia Tech’s chapter of Sigma Xi.
Student Spotlight
Zohreh Gholizadeh-Siahmazgi: Furthering induced pluripotent stem cell research
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine postdoctoral fellow Zohreh Gholizadeh-Siahmazgi uses induced pluripotent stem cell technology to create mini versions of organs. Her research is described in this story by Virginia Tech student Eli Speechley.
Read The ArticleUpcoming Events
2026 Undergraduate Summer Program
Summer 2026
The NSF COMPASS Center, a collaboration of scientists and engineers across Virginia Tech, Cornell University, the University of Michigan, Wake Forest University, Meharry Medical College, and Northern Arizona University, is seeking undergraduates from across the country to join our 2026 Summer Internship Program. Each summer, COMPASS interns bring new ideas, creativity, and energy to our interdisciplinary community. We hope you’ll consider applying to help advance the science and the workforce, needed to prepare for future pandemics.
2026 NSF COMPASS Annual Meeting
July 27
The 2026 NSF COMPASS Annual Meeting will bring together researchers, communicators, and collaborators from across the country at the University of Michigan for two days of connection, collaboration, and conversation focused on advancing the future of pandemic science.