News

Students helped build houses out of water bottles. This helped reduce water pollution and served as great insulation for the tropical weather. (Contributed)

As a national model, VCU is facilitating service-learning study abroad for first-generation and other students

March 5, 2025

Building on last year’s debut, which gained attention in global education circles, a second set of TRIO students will visit the Dominican Republic over spring break to help communities.

The rise or fall of utility-scale solar could dramatically change Virginia’s energy portfolio. (Getty Images)

VCU researchers assess land impacts of Virginia’s solar industry — now and in the future

March 3, 2025

Large-scale ‘solar farms’ currently occupy more than 30,000 acres as the state’s energy portfolio continues to evolve.

The Academy Awards will be held on March 2. (Getty Images)

At the movies: Professors review Oscar-nominated films through the lens of their expertise

Feb. 27, 2025

Ahead of the Academy Awards, professors discuss what worked – or didn’t – in five of the 2025 nominees.

VCU alums who won Black History in the Making Awards when they were students. Clockwise from top left: Eloise Berry, Ph.D., Fadel Allassan, Jaz-Munn Johnson, M.D., Taylor Pattie, Tonecia Brothers-Sutton and Sasha Pierre-Louis.

Checking in with VCU’s Black history makers

Feb. 26, 2025

For more than four decades, VCU has honored students with Black History in the Making Awards – and here are updates on six accomplished recipients.

Mahmoud Kaid, who is from Egypt, conducts research at VCU focused on the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

World@VCU: Mahmoud Kaid from Egypt

Feb. 26, 2025

‘Watching both my boys grow here has added a whole new perspective to my work and life.’

Virginia Commonwealth University is introducing a digital forensics and incident response concentration in its Master of Science in forensic science program this fall. (Getty Images)

New concentration in digital forensics will propel graduate students into a growing field

Feb. 26, 2025

Debuting in fall 2025, the specialized curriculum in the forensic science master’s program reflects how electronic evidence is an expanding frontier in fighting crime.

Jason Reed, Ph.D., and Youngman Oh, Ph.D., were named senior members of the National Academy of Inventors on Feb. 20.

Two VCU researchers named National Academy of Inventors senior members

Feb. 24, 2025

Youngman Oh and Jason Reed are honored for their innovative work in cancer therapy and DNA technology.

Shijun Zhang, Ph.D., a professor in the School of Pharmacy, is pioneering drug discovery research focused on an essential component of the immune system. (Christopher Kendall)

Alzheimer’s, antennas and AI are highlighted in VCU faculty research receiving new Commercialization Fund awards

Feb. 19, 2025

Five projects are selected in the latest round of funding that helps bring campus innovation to the marketplace.

Aimee Selleck, a VCU alum and graduate student, serves as student employment manager in VCU Career Services. (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Meet-a-Ram: Aimee Selleck makes a mark in, and beyond, VCU Career Services

Feb. 18, 2025

The student employment manager and alum is continuing her own education and service while helping students ‘earn while they learn.’

Fosua Adu-Gyamfi is a senior biology major at VCU. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

How I found my research: Fosua Adu-Gyamfi learns from undergrad experiences at both VCU and the National Cancer Institute

Feb. 17, 2025

The senior, who serves as a research assistant in a VCU lab studying alcohol use disorder, embraces research’s potential to improve the world ‘one question at a time.’