Student Research News

Madison Cruz, a biology major, is working at VCU Health as a patient care technician, helping patients and getting hands-on experience. (Tom Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

With talent ranging from the lab to the stage, VCU senior sees a future in medicine and mental health advocacy

Sept. 5, 2023

Madison Cruz has mixed research, patient care, volunteer work and even the Miss Virginia pageant in her undergraduate experience.

Ellie Bavuso is working to “gamify” a treatment that can help autistic individuals learn effective social behaviors. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Through undergraduate research program, student works to shift paradigm for disability inclusion in virtual reality research

Aug. 15, 2023

Ellie Bavuso, a biology major, is designing and developing a virtual reality game that's custom-made to support individuals with autism.

Christine George is working on nuclear nonproliferation as an intern for the National Nuclear Security Administration. (Contributed photo)

VCU student spends summer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory working on nuclear nonproliferation

Aug. 1, 2023

Internship with security agency lets Christine George combine policy and math backgrounds.

Varun Kodali is a second-year Honors College student studying biology and minoring in chemistry in the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences. (Contributed photo)

VCU award winners are Keeping it REAL in research, community engagement and global education

May 22, 2023

Projects that highlight relevant, experiential and applied learning touch on cancer treatment, youth exposure to science and cultural expansion.

For her Ph.D. in Media, Art, and Text dissertation at VCU, Allison Bennett Dyche, Ph.D., who graduates this month, focused on the lessons she learned in creating an Audio Storytelling & Podcasting course for college students - and how courses like hers would be a beneficial part of the curriculum for mass communication students nationwide. (Samuel Cooke, The Appalachian photographer, Appalachian State University)

Class of 2023: Allison Bennett Dyche found few resources on how to teach podcasting to college students. So she created her own.

May 11, 2023

Dyche, who is earning a Ph.D. in Media, Art and Text, is “at the forefront of a growing conversation about how universities can help prepare students for careers in this growing industry,” her dissertation director says.

Micah White has participated in The Warmth, a reading and writing intensive named for “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson, every summer since he transferred into VCU. (Tom Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2023: Psychology major and rising Ph.D. student Micah White sets his mind on healing and community

May 5, 2023

His path to VCU was framed by Mellon programs that support transfer students and research, and his path forward reflects a longtime commitment to helping others.

Faye Prichard, assistant professor in the Honors College and director of writing, (front) with students who presented at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. (Contributed photo)

At national conference, two dozen VCU undergraduates present research on sitcoms, science and more

May 3, 2023

The students, almost all of them in their first year at VCU, were featured at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

11 VCU students, recent alums and staff receive Fulbright awards for 2023-24

May 2, 2023

In earning one of the country’s top scholarships, they will spread out across the globe to teach English, conduct research, pursue creative projects and study for graduate degrees.

The Graduate Research Symposium and Exhibit and the Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity are centerpiece events for VCU Research Weeks every year, highlighting the work of student researchers. (Tom Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

From smoking to scenic rivers, VCU students spotlight their insight at research symposiums

May 2, 2023

Graduate and undergraduate researchers showcase their creativity and welcome the feedback.

As part of her research project under mentor Chelsea Williams, Ph.D. (right), Vanessa Olazabal (left) honed her presentation skills and traveled to Salt Lake City to present her findings at a conference. (Allen Jones, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU summer program gave psychology major Vanessa Olazabal a GREAT research subject: fellow Rams

April 24, 2023

She explored links among Latine students’ ethnic-racial identity, relationships, the pandemic and how alcohol use and anxiety were affected.