VCU’s Eighth Annual Graduate Research Symposium and Exhibit

By Sathya Achia Abraham

Graduate students at Virginia Commonwealth University this week unveiled innovative research and scholarly projects that spanned many disciplines, including biomedical engineering, humanities, psychology and medicine.

About 80 students participated in the eighth annual Graduate Student Research Symposium & Exhibit, an opportunity for graduate students to present an overview of their current projects, theses or dissertations. The event was sponsored by the VCU Graduate Student Association.

“This event brings together students and faculty from a wide variety of academic disciplines and the work is representative of the high quality of VCU’s graduate student body,” said F. Douglas Boudinot, Ph.D., dean of VCU’s Graduate School. “It is also an excellent example of how an active GSA can benefit all graduate students.”

The work presented covered an array of topics from many academic disciplines, including the College of Humanities & Science and the schools of allied health professions, arts, business, education, engineering, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work and interdisciplinary studies.

“The symposium is an exciting event because it showcases the strength and diversity of the graduate programs at VCU,” said Kathleen Hall, the GSA symposium chair and a graduate student in VCU’s School of Engineering.

An awards ceremony was held to honor faculty and students of the Graduate School. Marcus Ong, a graduate student from the School of Allied Health Professions, was given the Top Presenter Award for his research in epidemiology and community health. Ellen Netting, a professor in the School of Social Work, was recognized with the 2005 Distinguished Faculty Award for her excellence in teaching and generous support of students. And Jeni L. Burnette, a graduate student from the Department of Psychology, was recognized for her contributions to teaching and community service with the 2005 Distinguished Student Award.

Students were honored for their participation in the Preparing Future Faculty program, a series of short courses and professional development opportunities for graduate students interested in pursuing careers in higher education.

Awarded certificates of achievement were: Abdulkariem S. M. Al-Shawairkh, Public Policy and Administration; Mary Alice Blackwell, theater; Gary Daniel Futrell, business; Lea Anne Gardner, health services organization and research; Rohini George, biomedical engineering; Nicole Taneale Haskins, nursing; Sylvia Henshaw, information systems; Mary Katherine Larue, adult education and human resource development; Peter C. Liacouras, biomedical engineering; Preethy Nayar, health services organization and research; and Shaunta D. Poe, biology.

The VCU Graduate Student Association (GSA) is committed to facilitating programs that enhance the academic skills, professional development and social environment of all graduate students. The GSA also helps to place graduate students on campus-wide committees, where they can voice the concerns of the graduate student population. All graduate students are considered members of the GSA and are eligible to participate in and contribute to the GSA and association activities.