Faculty Research News

An 18-month, $150,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation will support a new Indigenous Humanities Lab in VCU’s Humanities Research Center. (File photo)

Mellon Foundation grant will support launch of Indigenous Humanities Lab at VCU

April 21, 2025

Through a partnership of the Humanities Research Center and the College of Humanities and Sciences, Cristina Stanciu and Catherine Ingrassia are expanding the university’s focus on Native programs.

Brian Fuglestad, Ph.D., is the recipient of the 2024 Young Investigator Award, given each year to a future leader in the field of analytical chemistry. (Contributed photo)

Chemistry professor Brian Fuglestad honored with rising star award from drugmaker Eli Lilly

April 16, 2025

His lab is exploring the analysis of proteins tied to a number of diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.

During a semester of educational leave from VCU, Laura Middlebrooks, Ph.D., took thousands of photos and videos of public art throughout Spain. (Contributed photo)

Connecting art, protest and local history, professor Laura Middlebrooks steps outside the classroom to make an impact inside it

April 8, 2025

A fall research trip to Spain is yielding more ideas to further integrate language instruction, public art and student engagement.

Jarrod Reisweber (third from left) shakes hands with Sen. Tim Kaine during a visit to Washington, D.C., to showcase The Retreat, a VR program to address mental health and substance use disorders in veterans. They are joined by (from left) Mark Lambert, Dale DeJarnette, Ginna Lambert and Raquel Reisweber. (Photo by Carly Katz)

VCU inventor gives lawmakers a look at the virtual reality treatment that is serving veterans’ mental health

April 4, 2025

To help combat addiction, Jarrod Reisweber’s high-tech, self-directed therapy extends the impact of professional care.

VCU researcher Mariam Alkazemi tracked the evolution of an Egyptian social media group between two periods of protest. (Getty Images)

VCU researcher finds insights into social media, activism and journalism by exploring unrest in Egypt

March 31, 2025

A Facebook group’s transition points to how 2010s expectations for social media didn’t materialize, the Robertson School’s Mariam Alkazemi says.

In her new book, “Cervantes y las joyas” (“Cervantes and Jewels”), VCU author Mar Martínez-Góngora (Davis) explores the 16th- and 17th-century writer’s use of jewels and gems. (Contributed photo)

VCU author examines symbolic use of jewels in Cervantes’ work

March 27, 2025

In her new book, School of World Studies professor Mar Martínez-Góngora highlights the many facets of the ‘Don Quixote’ author’s works.

Dominic Ongwen, a former child soldier who became an extremist commander, was found guilty in 2021 by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. (Getty Images)

For war crimes defendants, media coverage can reflect how audiences see ‘local justice’ and ‘international justice’ differently

March 10, 2025

Exploring the court case of an abducted child soldier who became an extremist commander, VCU professors Jessica Trisko Darden and Amanda Wintersieck see a framework for understanding harsher perceptions at home.

New research by Baobao Song, Ph.D., finds that celebrity endorsements from South Korean boy band BTS and other celebrities can push their fans to take action. (Photo: AJEONG_JM, Wikimedia Commons)

Celebrity endorsements can drive advocacy by fans, VCU researcher finds

March 6, 2025

Examining the popular South Korean boy band BTS and their preferred causes, the study found three factors that shape the behavior of their devoted followers.

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.

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.