VCU news

By David Oglethorpe

Virginia Commonwealth University will celebrate VCU Research Weeks 2024 in April with more than 40 events that highlight the unlimited impact of the university’s research efforts.

Highlighted by a keynote address from Rochelle Walensky, M.D., former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the State of the Research address delivered by P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation, Research Weeks programming celebrates VCU’s groundbreaking discoveries and continued quest to improve the human condition.

“This year has truly been VCU Research and Innovation’s strongest year on record,” Rao said. “Whether securing landmark funding from federal, state, foundations, gifts or industry partners, or discovering novel treatments to some of our most chronic diseases, or developing the most innovative solutions or technologies, our research is answering some of society’s most challenging questions and lifting lives and the well-being of the communities we serve. VCU Research Weeks gives us an opportunity to come together and celebrate the monumental impact that our research faculty, staff and students have achieved while also looking ahead to the future of our research enterprise.”

Over the past year, VCU’s research portfolio has grown to the 47th largest among public institutions and reached $464 million in sponsored funding. These gains have resulted in 19 health sciences schools and departments ranking in the top 50 for their disciplines in the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research’s rankings for public universities, based on National Institutes of Health funding. VCU also has been ranked 86th for granted utility patents by the National Academy of Inventors and has been named the 19th Most Innovative public university by U.S. News & World Report.

Research Weeks will also feature projects conducted by VCU’s graduate and undergraduate students. The 27th annual Graduate Student Research Symposium and, a day later, the Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research will give the VCU and local communities a chance to see how student research is advancing knowledge in many fields.

Research Weeks coincides with Innovation Month, a collection of events spotlighting creators, innovators, researchers and entrepreneurship across VCU. Together, VCU Research Weeks and Innovation Month celebrate events, programs and current research topics that affect our lives and communities.

For a full schedule of events, visit the VCU Research Weeks information page.

Highlighted events include:

VCU State of the Research address

Monday, April 8
P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation, will outline the successes and accomplishments of the VCU research enterprise over the past year. Following the presentation, a reception will feature entrepreneurs and inventors from across the university. Registration available through this form.

Research Weeks keynote address

Monday, April 15
Rochelle Walensky, M.D., who served as CDC director from January 2021 to June 2023 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, will speak about the importance of research at a public institution. The event will feature a moderated Q&A and a reception following the presentation. Registration available through this form.

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Wednesday, April 24
The 27th annual symposium will bring together graduate students from across the university to share their research with the VCU and wider communities.

Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research

Thursday, April 25
All undergraduate researchers from every discipline are encouraged to present. Presentations may be for completed research projects, completed papers or research in progress.