March Faculty and Staff Features

John E. Herman, Ph.D., Department of History
Herman, associate professor in the Department of History, has been awarded a year-long appointment in the School of Historical Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J. The Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) is one of the world’s leading centers for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry and supports fundamental research in the sciences and humanities. Herman will begin his appointment at IAS in September 2010. He currently serves as director of VCU-China Relations and the VCU-Fudan Partnership.

Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, M.D., VCU Pauley Heart Center
Ellenbogen, chairman for the Division of Cardiology, has been named editor-in-chief of a new online portal, Afibprofessional.org, which will serve as a central resource for providers treating atrial fibrillation, patients and their families.

The new site is a collaboration of the American College of Cardiology and Heart Rhythm Society and will highlight information and resources from both organizations related to atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation, or a-fib, is caused by abnormal electrical impulses that begin at the top of the heart and travel down the upper chambers, or atria, causing them to contract erratically. The irregular rhythm, which affects more than 2 million Americans, interferes with the heart’s ability to efficiently pump blood. As a result, blood can pool in the atria, which can lead to the formation of clots and the possibility of a stroke.

According to Ellenbogen, the goal of the site is to increase the public’s awareness of atrial fibrillation, and educate patients and caregivers. The site will include interviews with leading experts, professional and patient education materials, pocket guides and tools, advocacy updates and resources, networking and discussion opportunities, information about clinical trials, and featured posts from Heart Rhythm Society’s new blog, EP Insights.

Shawn O. Utsey, Ph.D., chair of African American Studies and associate professor of psychology
A documentary produced by Utsey, chair of African American studies, director of the Institute for African American Health Research and associate professor of psychology, was awarded “best documentary” by the Virginia Independent Film Festival.

“Meet Me in the Bottom: The Struggle to Reclaim Richmond’s African Burial Ground” also won the “audience choice” award during its Feb. 28 screening.

The Burial Ground for Negroes was used from about 1750 to 1816 and is located north of Broad Street, between 15th and 16th streets, and is the oldest municipal cemetery for enslaved and free blacks known to exist in the Richmond area. The documentary examines community efforts to reclaim the burial ground.

Utsey worked with VCU alumni Jennida Chase and Shanika Smiley on the project, which took more than a year to complete.