Laila Kirkpatrick
Assistant Director
Laila’s background is in scientific research and as a laboratory manager, and later graduate student, she mentored over 40 undergraduate and graduate students during a period of 15 years. She focused her passion for undergraduate academic support and guidance when she joined the MAOP family in August of 2022, shortly after receiving her Master of Science at Virginia Tech. As the Assistant Director of MAOP, Laila is responsible for the MAOP Undergraduate Scholars program and assists the Director with the LSAMP, Graduate Scholars and Global Change Scholars. She provides the students with scholarships, academic and professional support through individual meetings, workshops, and other coordinated events. Laila enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, playing with her black lab puppy, gardening and playing scrabble or doing puzzles with her mom.