Dennis Dean arrived at Wabash College without a scholarship and not entirely certain of his ability to succeed
“I was an average student academically, but I found my confidence in the lab,” the University Distinguished Professor Emeritus said. “That experience inspired me to go to graduate school and ultimately launched my career.”
During his 40 years at Virginia Tech, Dean authored or co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. He secured research grants from the Gates Foundation, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and U.S. Department of Energy. He is especially proud of training over 40 undergraduate researchers, right alongside graduate students on his teams, helping them to gain intellectual confidence just as he did
After becoming an emeritus faculty member in 2024, Dean continues to conduct grant-funded research and include undergraduate students in his work. And he recently extended his tradition of donating to the university by making a $1 million estate pledge and committing an additional $40,000 of recurring annual support to advance undergraduate research in multiple ways
The estate gift will be added to an existing endowment that supports the Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference and provides funding for undergraduate research trainees. Dean’s recurring annual contribution is directed in three ways. It benefits student researchers in the Department of Biochemistry within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, funds a recently established theatre program for STEM students, and supports professional development opportunities for staff in the Office of Undergraduate Research.
For Dean, who joined Virginia Tech in 1985 and has mentored generations of student researchers, the gift reflects both a personal philosophy and a professional legacy
“I am motivated to support Virginia Tech because I have an abiding interest in undergraduate research,” Dean said. “It is my dream that every qualified Virginia Tech student will have an opportunity to work in a research laboratory and be paid for doing so. Some of this can be accomplished by extramural research grants but philanthropy is also needed.”
University leaders said the gift reflects Dean’s inspiring passion for research and will make an enduring impact
“This is a special gift not only because of its size, but its source,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Julie Ross. “It’s inspiring to see someone who has served Virginia Tech with distinction for decades choose to extend their impact through philanthropy. We are deeply grateful to Dennis for his steadfast commitment to undergraduate education. His generosity will expand access to experiences that are transformative for students and it strengthens Virginia Tech’s ability to prepare the next generation of innovators and leaders.”
Mario Ferruzzi is dean of the College of Agriculture of and Life Sciences
“Dennis has advanced the field through a distinguished career in research, and now he’s creating opportunities for the next generation of scientists to gain hands-on experience in the lab,” Feruzzi said. “That kind of investment has a lasting impact on our students and on the future of biochemistry.”
The Office of Undergraduate Research is part of Virginia Tech Undergraduate Academic Affairs
“Dennis’ generous gift is powerful investment in our students and our culture of research,” said Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs Jill Sible. “Dennis’s personal story and professional legacy show that for undergraduates, research is far more than technical training. It builds confidence, creativity, and a sense of purpose. We appreciate this gift that will ensure more students can participate, contribute, and succeed.”
Dean’s support is expected to extend a trend of increasing undergraduate research participation over the past few years. Nearly 1,900 undergraduates received academic credit for participating in research this past academic year, which is 5 percent more than in 2024-25 and a 46 percent increase from 2020-21. Over 570 student presenters participated in the spring 2026 Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference, up 11 percent from the previous year
Dean received his bachelor’s degree from Wabash College and was a pre-doctoral National Institutes trainee at Purdue University, where he earned a Ph.D. in molecular biology. He was a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin and began his independent scientific career at the Kettering Laboratory
After being recruited to Virginia Tech by then head of the Department of Anaerobic Microbiology Tracy Wilkins, Dean conducted his own research, taught, and led multiple high impact research institutes or initiatives. Dean directed the Fralin Biotechnology Center from 2002-08, directed the Institute for Biomedical and Public Health Sciences from 2006-08, directed the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute in an interim capacity from 2008-10, and directed the Fralin Life Sciences Institute from 2008-20, and was interim vice president for research and innovation from 2015-16.
“I am so grateful Virginia Tech had the confidence that I could handle those tasks and that I was provided the re am also inspired by my friend and colleague Tracy Wilkins. He hired me 42 years ago and since then he has served as a mentor and an exemplar of remarkable generosity towards Virginia Tech.”
Grateful for the mentorship he received, Dean strove to mentor younger faculty members himself. One of them was Stefan Duma, who is now a University Distinguished Professor, the Harry Wyatt Professor of Engineering, and executive director of the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science
“Dennis’ passion to make the biggest impact he can extends to all areas of what we do as a research university,” Duma said. “He is a mentor to me, and he continues to conduct research, to mentor both graduate and undergraduate researchers, and to donate generously to amplify what is possible. He sets an inspiring example. We appreciate all he has done, and continues to do for Virginia Tech.”
Dean’s philanthropy was instrumental in setting up the theater program to engage 10 STEM undergraduate researchers per year in a variety of acting and presentation experiences. While he never took theater classes himself, Dean worked hard to develop communication skills. He credits those skills for much of his success
“A dynamic presentation can make even the dullest scientific topic exciting,” he said. This ability doesn’t come naturally to most STEM majors, but once developed, good communication skills provide a remarkable advantage in professional advancement. And just like learning to ride a bicycle, it is skill that, once developed, is never lost.”
“Dennis’ generosity and engagement have made a difference in the scope of our programing for undergraduates,” said Alumni Distinguished Professor of Theatre Arts Patty Raun, the founding director of Virginia Tech’s Center for Communicating Science. “He recognizes that the way research is shared with communities is important. His gift will help to empower STEM majors who take advantage of our programs, and we are very grateful.”
Reflecting on his career, Dean cited being named a Distinguished Science Alumnus by Purdue and a Virginia Tech University Distinguished Professor as his proudest achievements
“I would not have achieved either of these without the hard work of the many undergraduate students that have trained in my lab,” he said. “My gift represents their legacy.”
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