College of Humanities and Sciences

Faculty Research News

In 2020, more than 5,100 people under age 18 were shot and more than 1,300 were killed in the U.S. (Getty Images)

NIH awards $2M to study VCU program focused on reducing youth violence amid surge in gun injuries and death

Sept. 23, 2021

The program, Bridging the Gap, provides violently injured patients with a brief hospital-based intervention that aims to prevent retaliatory violence.

John Smith with VCU doctoral students Natalie Bohmke and Nico Chavez. (Tom Kojcsich, University Marketing)

For Richmond residents with kidney disease, a new program offers free exercise rehabilitation

Sept. 21, 2021

Renal Rehab, run by VCU’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, helps chronic kidney disease and renal transplant patients integrate exercise and improved nutrition into their lifestyle.

Jeanine Guidry, assistant professor and director of the Media+Health Lab in the VCU's Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture. (Tom Kojcsich, University Marketing)

Variants, misinformation, vaccine hesitancy: Jeanine Guidry’s work is more crucial than ever

Sept. 20, 2021

Guidry, a VCU professor and researcher, has been studying public health communication for years. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become a topic of international importance.

Tal Simmons with animal bones donated to VCU from the Search and Rescue Tracking Institute. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)

Search and rescue group gets training in bone identification with VCU professor

Sept. 13, 2021

Members are trained to look for clothing on bushes or broken tree limbs but don’t have as much experience identifying and documenting human remains.

In “The Child Code,” VCU professor Danielle Dick explains how each child is uniquely coded with predispositions that affect their fearfulness, impulsivity, happiness, propensity for throwing tantrums and all other aspects of their personality.

How understanding your child’s unique nature can make you a more effective parent

Sept. 9, 2021

VCU professor Danielle Dick’s new book, ‘The Child Code,’ helps parents adapt their parenting strategies to fit how their child is wired.

In "Finding Her Voice," authors Faye Belgrave, Angela Ivy Belgrave and Angela Patton aim to help Black girls find the strength and confidence to speak up, be heard and assert themselves. (Getty Images)

New book aims to help Black girls navigate predominantly white spaces, microaggressions

Sept. 2, 2021

The book, “Finding Her Voice: How Black Girls in White Spaces Can Speak Up and Live Their Truth,” is co-authored by VCU professor Faye Belgrave.

African Americans have the highest rates of tobacco-related cancer of any racial or ethnic group in the country. (Getty Images)

Massey researchers awarded $1.3M to examine impacts of e-cigarette flavor regulations on African American menthol smokers

Aug. 31, 2021

The research aims to find out whether having e-cigarette flavors available — particularly menthol — increases uptake of e-cigarettes and reduces menthol cigarette use.

Human genome. Concept art. (Getty Images)

Study identifies 579 genetic locations linked to anti-social behavior, alcohol use, opioid addiction and more

Aug. 26, 2021

The study, published today in the journal Nature Neuroscience, is one of the largest genome-wide association studies ever conducted.

Brian J. Daugherity, Ph.D.

VCU professor is named recipient of Virginia Museum of History & Culture’s William M.E. Rachal Award

Aug. 19, 2021

The award to Brian Daugherity is in recognition of an article documenting African American activism in Goochland County in the Jim Crow era.

Biology professor Chris Gough, Ph.D., stands in Monroe Park while holding a piece of art produced by one of his students. (Tom Kojcsich, University Marketing)

Forest ecology, illustrations and jam sessions: How arts and science mix in Chris Gough’s lab

Aug. 17, 2021

Gough, a biology professor — and a trained singer and musician — hosts art students in his lab to better ensure important data is conveyed through imagery.