Maruf Hoque

Maruf Hoque is a fourth year Ph.D. candidate in the Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health graduate program at Virginia Tech’s Roanoke Campus where he performs research in the discipline of vascular biology. His primary research focus is understanding how cells and proteins come together to form blood vessels and what happens to these cells and proteins in the context of disease (such as preeclampsia and stroke). During his tenure as a graduate student, he has trained multiple junior scientists, including graduate rotation students, undergrads, and high school students. He also has an interest in the commercialization of science. He has participated in the Health Sciences and Technology Commercialization Fellows Program where he conducted dozens of market analysis interviews with insurance providers, clinicians, and diagnostic companies in Southwest Virginia as part of a biotechnology commercialization project. He created an entry-to-market strategy for a cancer diagnostic in collaboration with Carilion Clinic, VT-Link/License/Launch, and Roanoke Regional Accelerator.

It has been a full and challenging schedule. But there is more.

During the first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maruf was also president of the Graduate Student Assembly. His nominator wrote, “As anyone who knows Maruf will attest, he has a service disposition, and he says ‘yes’ when he is able to serve. His life is an exemplar of Robert Greenleaf’s servant leadership: ‘serve first and people will ask you to lead.’ As I observed Maruf over the months, it became clear to me that he never relished power or position. Instead, he sought collaboration, partnership, and improvements in the daily lives of his peers.”  

Think back. As everyone knows, few people were happy or content in 2020-2021. Life during the pandemic was harder than ever, and graduate students expressed their concerns to the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA), especially Maruf. These challenges were amplified because the GSA was participating in a governance reformation and transitioning to what is now known as the Graduate and Professional Student Senate.

His nominator wrote, “In dozens of meetings, and in multiple contexts, I was humbled to watch Maruf listen carefully with empathy and kindness to anyone’s experience. Even in the most contentious moments, Maruf was eager to find partnerships and a way forward -- even if he disagreed with those across the table.”

During Maruf’s tenure as GSA President, many policies were adopted to improve the experience and support of graduate students. He led the creation of the new graduate student senate--all the while building friendships and community across a wide array of ideological, philosophical, political, and demographic diversity.

Maruf’s experiences have taught him important truths about civility. His advice to others is, “Talk with everyone. That’s how you can bring multiple perspectives to the table. We have to point out directly what we're trying to change and make our points known. We first have to understand each other's upbringing and how we're using our past to exist in the present and go into the future. To demonstrate respect, we must create the open space for everyone to speak their minds.”

For Maruf’s dedication to his work, and for the wisdom he brought to the role of GSA President, especially during a time of transition and growth, I am pleased to present to present the Aspire! Award for practicing CIVILITY to Maruf Hoque.