Student Research News

For VCU students, foreign expedition offered a river of knowledge and memories

April 29, 2024

They traveled to Mexico for a journey – and learning opportunity – of a lifetime.

Aditya Kotha and Andy Shar, who are both juniors at VCU, have earned Goldwater Scholarships. (Contributed photos)

Two undergraduates selected for prestigious Goldwater Scholarships

April 16, 2024

Aditya Kotha and Andy Shar reflect excellence in STEM and a commitment to research.

Sophomore Charmi Patel, shown here scanning replicas in a classroom inside VCU’s STEM Building, researched bone pathology in nonhuman primates with guidance from mentor Marie Vergamini. (Kevin Morley, VCU Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Charmi Patel goes bone-deep behind the scenes at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

April 12, 2024

VCU sophomore studies skeletons of nonhuman primates for clues into death and disease.

Max Biscarr, a sophomore kinetic imaging major, performs an electronic music composition that incorporates air temperature data and soil temperature data collected at the VCU Rice Rivers Center. (Photo by Allen Jones, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

The sound of science: VCU students compose electronic music that incorporates environmental data gathered at VCU Rice Rivers Center

April 5, 2024

The ear, not just the eye, is a powerful route for experiencing and interpreting data, and a course that unites VCUarts and VCU Life Sciences is finding the harmony in nature.

Jennoa Fleming, a senior environmental studies major at VCU, researches the James River rock pools, focusing on a small aquatic snail. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

How I found my research: Jennoa Fleming studies the small wonders of the rock pools to understand our future on Earth

March 27, 2024

Fleming has been researching the rock pools of the James River since she was a high school student. ‘Ecology is where I truly belong,’ she said. ‘I can’t imagine doing anything else.’

Jaelyn Jenifer said that when she transferred to VCU, “I wanted to put myself in a position to be challenged.” (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

How I found my research: Jaelyn Jenifer hopes to be a ‘guardian of public health’

March 7, 2024

Undergraduate student researcher and aspiring forensic toxicologist studies medications used in the treatment of HIV infections.

Tijana Simovic, a Ph.D. student at VCU, co-authored a recent study that shows young and regular users of e-cigarettes exhibit a reduced blood vessel function. (Photo courtesy of Paula Rodriguez Miguelez, Ph.D.)

Regular e-cigarette use could lead to premature vascular dysfunction, VCU study finds

March 5, 2024

As the devices grow in popularity, researchers warn that young adult users are showing reduced blood vessel function

Stephen Gibson, a Ph.D. candidate in the developmental psychology program at VCU, researches the long-term effects of online racism on the mental health of Black teens. (Contributed photo)

In mind, body and digital souls, VCU doctoral student examines racism through the lenses of adolescence and parenting

Feb. 15, 2024

Developmental psychology researcher Stephen Gibson explores the intersection of teen mental health, online experiences and parent-child communication.

Kay Coghill’s Ph.D. dissertation explores digital violence and misogynoir, the unique discrimination that Black women experience. (Contributed photo)

Through research and activism, VCU doctoral student explores gender, race, violence and culture – and wins American Society of Criminology award

Feb. 1, 2024

In their studies, in front of a classroom and in digital work, Kay Coghill sheds light on misogynoir and helps survivors of sexual violence.

Cameron Toler, a senior biology major, encourages students interested in research to “be adventurous and have the courage to ask big questions.” (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

How I found my research: Cameron Toler’s interest in the pathobiology of human disease is fueled by his own experience

Dec. 12, 2023

Toler, a senior biology major, has found his research footing working in the lab of Huiping Zhou, Ph.D., and studying a chronic liver disease that affects 1 in 4 adults.