We are grateful for our alumnae for their time to return to campus and share about their careers in science!
2025 Panelist Biographies:
Dr. Melissa Merrill, PhD (‘89)
Professor, Associate Department Head and Director of Undergraduate Programs in Animal Science at North Carolina State University
Dr. Merrill attended Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, graduating with a double major in Biology and Chemistry in 1989. She received a PhD from Wake Forest University in 1994 from the Department of Biochemistry, working to identify the gene responsible for an inherited form of thyroid cancer called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A in humans. From there she made the switch from analyzing human DNA to examining domestic mammal DNA, taking a research geneticist position with the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, Maryland. Her USDA-ARS research group worked to identify genetic markers associated with economically important traits like milk yield, disease resistance and reproduction in US dairy cattle. In 2003 Dr. Merrill had the opportunity to move back to North Carolina, taking a position as an assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science at NC State University. She has been at NC State for over twenty years, being promoted through the ranks to full professor, teaching a variety of Animal Science and Biotechnology courses and conducting molecular biology research in dairy cattle, cats, beef cattle, dogs and pigs. She currently serves as the Director of Undergraduate Programs in Animal Science, which has over 850 students enrolled. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, sewing, working out, and being a mom to two cats and a dog.
Dr. Victoria Turgeon, PhD (‘93)
Professor of Biology & Neuroscience + Academic Director of the Prisma Health Partnership at Furman University
Dr. Victoria Turgeon, Professor of Biology & Neuroscience, graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1993 and went on to pursue a PhD in Neurobiology and Anatomy at Wake Forest University where she focused on neuronal development and degeneration. She received her PhD in 1998 along with the Norman Sulkin Award for Excellence in Neuroscience and was immediately hired at Furman University. During her tenure at Furman, Dr. Turgeon has been awarded the Henry and Ellen Townes Associate Professorship of Biology, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Distinguished Mentor Award, the Alester G. Furman Jr and Janie Earle Furman Meritorious Teaching Award, and the SCICU Excellence in Teaching Award. Her lab has been funded by grants received by the National Institutes of Health and the South Carolina Spinal Cord Research Fund and, along with her students, she has published articles in Thrombosis Research, IMPULSE, Psychopharmacology, Journal for the South Carolina Academy of Science, and the Journal of Freshwater Ecology. During this time Dr. Turgeon has peer-reviewed articles for Journal of Neurobiology, Journal of Neurochemistry, and Journal of Neuroscience and serves on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund and Prisma Health’s Medical Experience Academy.
Her most recent professional contributions to Furman University include serving as a faculty ombudsman, leading the team that developed Furman’s Master of Science in Community Engaged Medicine, and being appointed as Furman’s Academic Director of the Prisma Health Partnership. Additionally, her work on the NSF-ADVANCE award has led to the development of resources that support the advancement of mid-career women STEM faculty – work that has been recognized in VL Baker’s book Building your academic mid-career toolkit and The Department Chair.
Her greatest professional achievements are her students who have gone on to pursue their passions in the fields of biology and neuroscience. Dr. Turgeon loves yoga, long morning walks that end at cool breakfast locations, and reading.
Tiffany Vines (‘95)
Senior Director of Biopharma Business Development at Caris Life Sciences
Tiffany Vines graduated from Randolph College in 1995 with a degree in Biology and later attended the University of Arizona where she pursued a Master’s in Science. Over the past twenty years, Tiffany has built a successful career in diagnostic testing and clinical genomics, collaborating closely with pharmaceutical companies to support the development of oncology drugs. Her experience spans molecular diagnostics (including next-generation sequencing), companion diagnostics (CDx), clinical trial design, and strategic partnerships, all with a focus on advancing precision medicine. She has worked for a variety of companies, including Illumina, Qiagen, and Thermo-Fisher. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Biopharma Business Development at Caris Life Science. For fun, Tiffany enjoys riding her horse, a passion that has remained since attending Randolph College on an equestrian scholarship. She also enjoys running with her rescued pitbull, Tallulah Lou, competing in marathons and Ironman triathlons, and travelling.
Alexis Blankenship (‘15)
Forensic Chemist III at NMS Labs
Alexis Blankenship is a Forensic Chemist III at NMS Labs where her primary focus is controlled substance identification. She earned her Bachelor of Science in chemistry in 2015 from Randolph College. After starting her career at the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab, she joined the NMS Labs team in Willow Grove, PA in 2016. When offered the opportunity to transfer to the NMS Labs location in her hometown of Winston-Salem, NC, she gladly accepted and has been working in the Winston-Salem lab since 2017. She recently had the opportunity to speak about her research in illicit and counterfeit tablet trends at the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education’s 2025 Current Trends in Seized Drug Analysis Symposium. In her spare time she enjoys reading, playing with her 1 year old daughter, and playing the occasional pick-up volleyball game.