Faculty Research News

One of the seven small waterfowl bone aerophones discovered at the Final Natufian site of Eynan-Mallaha that can be described as a notched flute (Andean quena type). Detail of the play-holes (in green), the marks (in blue), the mouthpiece, the distal part and the red ochre residues that decorated the instrument. (Davin et al., 2023)

VCU forensic science professor Tal Simmons, team discover 12,000-year-old flutes made from bird bones

June 9, 2023

Found in northern Israel, they are the first prehistoric sound instruments identified from the Near East – and the oldest imitating a bird call from any ancient civilization.

Albert Farrell, Ph.D., (left) and Catherine Ingrassia, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences, pose for a photo after Farrell won the College of Humanities and Sciences Distinguished Mentoring Award this spring. Farrell, founding director of the Clark-Hill Institute for Positive Youth Development at VCU and longtime psychology professor, is retiring after 43 years at VCU. (Courtesy Alexis Finc, College of Humanities and Sciences)

Albert Farrell, mentor, researcher and founder of VCU’s Clark-Hill Institute for Positive Youth Development, retires after 43 years

June 8, 2023

Psychology professor has spent decades supporting Richmond and the study of youth violence prevention.

McKenna Brown (second from left), shown on a recent visit to Guatemala, served as the founding director of VCU’s School of World Studies in the College of Humanities and Sciences. He retires this year after 28 years on VCU’s faculty. (Courtesy McKenna Brown)

R. McKenna Brown, founding director of VCU’s School of World Studies, retires after 28 years

June 1, 2023

An expert in Maya culture and language, Brown expanded global learning and international partnerships for students and supported faculty development.

SJ Sindu, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of English at VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences, teaches creative writing and released her first graphic novel, “Shakti,” this week. Here, she enjoys a cup of tea in her home office. (Max Schlickenmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

With graphic novel ‘Shakti,’ SJ Sindu shares ‘the kind of story that I wanted to have’ as a child

May 26, 2023

VCU creative writing professor blends Tamil mythology from native Sri Lanka, manga inspirations from childhood, LGBTQIA+ narratives and life lessons on emotions and bullying for middle-grade readers.

Ryan Smith is interested in cemeteries as sources to understand the past and as important subjects in their own right. (Contributed photo)

VCU history professor Ryan Smith to explore ‘Liberty and Death in St. John’s Churchyard’ on May 25

May 22, 2023

Smith’s lecture will draw from his most recent book “Death and Rebirth in a Southern City: Richmond’s Historic Cemeteries.”

Jarrod Reisweber, Psy.D., in a scene from The TST Retreat, an immersive, interactive VR environment created to help individuals with addictions and mental health conditions and guide them toward recovery. (Image: Lighthouse XR)

Healing with a headset: Virtual Reality shows promise in treating substance use disorders

May 19, 2023

VCU psychologist will present clinical trial findings to Congress on June 7.

10 projects awarded funding from the VCU Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Fund

May 16, 2023

The fund awarded nearly $100,000 this year to faculty for research projects related to the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Keynote speaker Elizabeth Dougherty, eastern regional outreach director for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, said those who invent “have the power to change the world.” (Clement Britt)

Representing medical advances and transdisciplinary research, 22 VCU researchers are inducted into National Academy of Inventors

May 1, 2023

“The unstoppable knowledge creation and the transformative innovation being carried out here is felt locally, nationally and globally,” said P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation.

Costa Samaras, Ph.D., principal assistant director for energy and chief adviser for energy policy in the White House Office of Science and Technology, gave a keynote address. (Photo by Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Symposium explores the ‘everything problem’ of climate change – and the path to combat it

April 27, 2023

The transition to a clean energy economy requires interdisciplinary solutions, as reflected in the VCU institute that is hosting this week’s event.

A VCU research team is developing a solution to help prevent infection and complications for patients receiving chemotherapy, dialysis and other treatments through their veins. (Getty Images)

With $1.52M grant, VCU chemistry professor seeks a solution to benefit chemo and dialysis patients

April 18, 2023

Xuewei Wang and his team are targeting the risk of clotting and infection in a common medical implant in veins.