Liliana is the Communications Manager for the NSF COMPASS Center at Virginia Tech, with expertise in science communication and a focus on making complex and technical information accessible for all. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and a Master of Science in Digital and Strategic Communication from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Liliana has experience in higher education and has previously held positions at the National Institute for Modeling Biological Systems (NIMBioS) at the University of Tennessee, the NSF Center for Analysis and Prediction of Pandemic Expansion, KinetX Aerospace, and NASA, bringing an array of experience in both academic and technical settings. She is skilled at tailoring messages for various audiences, translating technical concepts into clear and engaging content, and has expertise in multimedia, social media strategy and content creation, and data-driven strategy.

At the NSF COMPASS Center, Liliana leads the development and execution of the Center’s communications strategy for both the NSF COMPASS Center and its affiliated Pandemic Prediction and Prevention Destination Area (PPP DA). In her role, she collaborates with Center leadership and the College of Engineering’s communications team to design and implement an annual, multi-platform communications work plan, utilizing digital, media, and stakeholder engagement efforts. She also supports content creation, public-facing materials, and outreach initiatives to advance the Center’s research and engagement objectives.