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At Faculty Convocation, President Michael Rao, Ph.D., said VCU faculty’s embrace of interdisciplinary inquiry and cross-departmental solutions creates an environment that supports their work as researchers, practitioners – and especially as educators. (Jonathan Mehring, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

43rd annual Faculty Convocation celebrates seven VCU educators and researchers

Aug. 21, 2025

Honorees represent the School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, College of Humanities and Sciences, and University College.

Fabio Gomes

Congratulations to Dr. Fabio Gomes, for being selected to receive the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, Oak Ridge Associated Universities.

Aug. 18, 2025

The awards recognize faculty members for their work in any of five science and technology disciplines: engineering and applied science; life sciences; mathematics and computer science; physical sciences; and policy, management or education. Oakland University’s award funds research project in the policy, management or education discipline area.

VCU will hold its 43rd annual Faculty Convocation on Aug. 20. (File photo)

Faculty Convocation will honor seven VCU educators and researchers

Aug. 18, 2025

The 43rd annual ceremony on Aug. 20 celebrates outstanding teaching, scholarship and service.

Sunwoo Kim conducted migraine research with Joseph McClay, Ph.D., through the Honors Summer Undergraduate Research Program. (Jonathan Mehring, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU summer program puts two heads together for migraine research

Aug. 18, 2025

Undergraduate Sunwoo Kim and School of Pharmacy professor Joseph McClay explore genetic angle to debilitating headaches.

Vials of liquid in a machine

Congratulations to Dr. Everett Carpenter for being honored with the International Association of Advanced Materials Scientist Medal Award in recognition for his contribution to Advanced Engineering Materials.

July 10, 2025

IAAM Scientist Award and Medal are the illustrious honours that the International Association of Advanced Materials presents to distinguished researchers and scientists to recognize their distinct contributions to the sphere of Materials Science, Engineering and Technology.

This summer, Nic Carwile is participating in a research internship in Germany at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. (Contributed photo)

Family ties, including a father’s illness, propel a son’s research journey

July 8, 2025

VCU biology major Nic Carwile finds special resonance in his prestigious summer internship in Germany.

Sophie Laman is an Honors College student who graduated this month with a forensic science degree (biology concentration) and minors in chemistry, biology and pre-medicine. (Contributed photo)

Class of 2025: Sophie Laman aimed straight for VCU’s forensic science program

May 13, 2025

The Tennessee native will continue exploring crime investigation and medical research this summer.

Julio Alvarez, Ph.D., an associate professor in VCU’s Department of Chemistry, aims to identify mechanisms that could have contributed to the emergence of the Last Universal Common Ancestor. (Photo by the College of Humanities and Sciences)

VCU chemistry professor Julio Alvarez receives grant to further explore the origins of life on Earth

May 8, 2025

His research lab is targeting the Last Universal Common Ancestor, which would connect 4 billion years of history.

Merilyn Arikkat, who will graduate in May, is co-executive director of VCU Votes, a student-led, nonpartisan initiative. (Contributed photo)

Class of 2025: VCU Votes co-leader Merilyn Arikkat drives civic engagement among fellow students

April 28, 2025

The biology major and aspiring doctor is among national honorees for championing democracy.

Esha Sharma, an Honors College student, has participated in more than a half-dozen research projects as an undergraduate at VCU. (William Lineberry, Honors College)

Class of 2025: Esha Sharma finds harmony through humanities and hard science

April 21, 2025

From diverse research projects as an undergraduate, the aspiring ER physician embraced the link between anthropology and medicine.