ROBERTS GLYCO-DIVERSITY LAB
From diversity comes innovation
Who We Are
Principal Investigator
Monét received her Ph.D. at Cornell University in Biomedical Engineering before her postdoctoral research career at Virginia Tech/Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. She is an Assistant Professor in Bimomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech. Outside of the lab, she loves all things fashion, cartoons, playing video games, and also being a dog and plant mom.
Theme Song: "Float" by Janelle Monae
Graduate Students
Samantha Ferrao
PhD Candidate
Samantha is of Indian origin, but she has lived most of her life in the vibrant city of Dubai. She has always had an interest in tackling human disease on the molecular level. This led to her pursuing her undergraduate degree in biotechnology with a focus on molecular biology and nanotechnology, which she carried into her master's degree in biomedical engineering, and still maintains an interest in for her PhD. In her free time, she loves to try cooking new recipes, play role-playing videogames, and do arts and crafts.
Theme Song: "Gold" by Spandau Ballet
De Shanna Johnson
PhD Candidate
De Shanna was born and raised in North Carolina. Her academic interests have always been centered around Tissue engineering and cell-cell interactions from the age of 14! She received her BSE in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University in 2020 and promptly entered the biotech industry after graduating. Being able to experience the work field confirmed her interest in further education. She enjoys playing video games(mostly the SIMS and anything Zelda-related), cooking, and painting in her downtime.
Theme Song: "Love on Top" by Beyonce
Cristina Pokhrel
PhD Candidate
Cristina was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal. She got her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry/Biochemistry from Hollins University, Roanoke. Currently, she is a Translational Biology, Medicine and Health (TBMH) PhD student and she is passionate about studying disease progression and proliferation in cancer. Her interests lie in exploring the associated biomarkers in cancer research and how these could be potential therapeutic targets. Cristina intends to research and translate innovative bioengineering techniques into impactful resources for cancer treatment. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hanging out with friends, going on walks, swimming, and cooking.
Theme Song: “Dhairya” by Sajjan Raj Vaidya
(Translation: “Patience”)
Ed Shangin
PhD Student
As a Virginia Native, Ed knew he wanted to attend Virginia Tech, and he did so by receiving both his Bachelor and Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering. In 2025, he was awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, where he plans to pursue a PhD that focuses on investigating mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis to the bone microenvironment. Outside of the lab, he loves to shoot pool, watch sports with friends, and play video games.
Undergraduate Students
Melody Garcia-Vega
Undergraduate Researcher
Melody is an Undergraduate Researcher and ESTEEMED Scholar that was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, but raised in Roanoke, Virginia. She’s always wanted to study at Virginia Tech to obtain a major in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Spanish. Over the summer, she participated in a rotation-based research experience that allowed her to explore different labs at Virginia Tech, which led her to discover an interest in cancer research within Biomedical Engineering. Outside of the lab, she likes to hang out with friends, visit family, read, and play video games.
Peyton Emmel
Undergraduate Researcher
Peyton is a senior in Biomedical Engineering with an interest in women’s health! Her campus involvement includes being part of the Dance Company at Virginia Tech and teaching yoga through Rec Sports.
Theme Song: "Ain't It Fun" by Paramore
Aubrie Fowler
Undergraduate Researcher
Aubrie is a junior in Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Tech and pursuing a focus in cell/tissue engineering. She was raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia and developed a love for biology and the gift of education. After shadowing a biomedical engineer at ODU, she knew BME would satisfy her hunger for knowledge and desire to help others in the medical field. Aubrie is a mentor for the Center for Engineering Excellence and Discovery where she hopes to spread her passion for education to her mentees. In her free time, Aubrie loves to listen to music, do various arts and crafts, and play video games.
Jude Molique
Undergraduate Researcher
Jude Molique is a junior in aerospace engineering with a minor in biomedical engineering and is looking to mainly study cancer growth in the CNS and space radiation biology. Outside of the lab, Jude likes to play board games, build rockets, and play music for the pep band during basketball games.
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Ava Karas
Undergraduate Researcher
Ava is a junior at Virginia Tech pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in cell and tissue engineering. Growing up in Stafford, Virginia, she first sparked her interest in medicine and small-scale science by reading the “Vital Signs” column in Discovery magazines. She joined the research team in May 2026 and currently assists in Samantha Ferrao’s study of glioblastoma. Outside of the lab, Ava channels her love for dogs as a VT Therapy Dog Assistant and an e-NABLE Team Lead directing the design of a custom prosthetic boot for a dog with ectrodactyly.
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Danielle Grunwald
Undergraduate Researcher
Danielle is a junior in Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Tech with a passion for women’s health and pharmaceutical development. Her campus involvement includes being an ambassador for the Biomedical Engineering Department. Outside of the lab, Danielle enjoys baking and playing pickleball.
Graduate Lab Alumni
Hailey Murphy, MS
Khadijat Oyediran, MS
Season 1
