Undergraduate Student News

VCU undergraduate student Kaylynn Breland spent last summer break studying American kestrels in Highland County. (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

America’s smallest falcon captures the interest and insight of undergraduate researcher Kaylynn Breland

April 15, 2025

The environmental studies student embraces field work that has taken her straight into the nest.

VCU undergraduate Brooklyn Griffin takes a 3D scan of a grave in Richmond’s Woodland Cemetery. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

One scan at a time, VCU researchers give life to history in Richmond’s Black cemeteries

April 11, 2025

With 3D scanning technology, the Virtual Curation Lab is documenting the deceased and giving descendants a chance to connect with their families’ pasts.

Abby Bressette said she has gained confidence in herself as a scientist through her undergraduate research experiences. (Contributed photo)

How I found my research: Abby Bressette seeks a richer understanding of the natural world

April 8, 2025

The environmental studies major and burgeoning birder has already participated in research projects tackling such topics as warblers, caterpillars, invasive species and coastal restoration through both VCU and the NSF.

VCU student Natasha Romero Moskala worked with Alex Keena, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, as a research assistant on the Guinier Project hosted by the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice at Harvard Law School. (Contributed photo)

A natural progression: VCU senior joins professor for Harvard research project into elections

March 7, 2025

Political science student Natasha Romero Moskala fills the role of research assistant alongside mentor Alex Keena.

Students helped build houses out of water bottles. This helped reduce water pollution and served as great insulation for the tropical weather. (Contributed)

As a national model, VCU is facilitating service-learning study abroad for first-generation and other students

March 5, 2025

Building on last year’s debut, which gained attention in global education circles, a second set of TRIO students will visit the Dominican Republic over spring break to help communities.

Fosua Adu-Gyamfi is a senior biology major at VCU. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

How I found my research: Fosua Adu-Gyamfi learns from undergrad experiences at both VCU and the National Cancer Institute

Feb. 17, 2025

The senior, who serves as a research assistant in a VCU lab studying alcohol use disorder, embraces research’s potential to improve the world ‘one question at a time.’

Iman Sikandar (left) and Samantha Mendoza-Hernandez  (right) didn’t know each other when they became roommates freshman year, but now they are inseparable. (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Unbreakable bonds: Just random roommates at first, Iman Sikandar and Samantha Mendoza-Hernandez are now united by ‘invisible string’

Feb. 14, 2025

An early falling-out helped the undergrads realize how much they’d miss without each other’s sisterhood.

Jatia Wrighten, Ph.D. and Alexandra Reckendorf, Ph.D., talked to students about political and social movements during their session in the U.S. Democracy United/Divided course. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

For the many layers of American democracy, new course taps into the many layers of VCU faculty expertise

Feb. 13, 2025

Nearly three dozen specialists in the College of Humanities and Sciences are collectively teaching U.S Democracy United/Divided this semester – and organizers think the concept will evolve.

Aashka Patel was one of four VCU undergraduate student researchers to present their work as part of an inaugural showcase at the General Assembly Building. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Hoping to inspire change, VCU undergraduates highlight their research for Virginia lawmakers

Feb. 12, 2025

Three projects, which touched on health and the environment, were part of a statewide showcase Feb. 6 at Capitol Square during the annual General Assembly session.

Erin Washington and Myia Graves were just looking for a roommate when they met. What they ended up finding was a best friend. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Unbreakable bonds: How Myia Graves and Erin Washington went from roommates to besties

Feb. 11, 2025

What started as a DM on Instagram turned into a friendship full of musicals, late-night videogames and endless fun.