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Saif Alotaibi, a biology major, has embraced the wealth of research opportunities that VCU offers for undergraduates. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

World@VCU: Saif Alotaibi from Kuwait

April 9, 2026

‘You can do research as an undergraduate at VCU. You get so lost because of how many opportunities there are.’

Rohit Paradkar, a junior majoring in bioinformatics, is VCU’s 19th Goldwater Scholar in the past 20 years. (Contributed image)

VCU undergraduate selected for prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

April 8, 2026

Rohit Paradkar, a junior in the Honors College, is studying bioinformatics and researching cancer treatment.

William Thomas has dived into research while at VCU, including researching sickle cell disease – a condition that he has himself. (Jonathan Haff, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2026: William Thomas explores biology, medicine and his own disease

March 27, 2026

Sickle cell disease interrupted his freshman year, but the experience inspired him to join a VCU lab focused on the condition.

Pablo Lopez-Bustamante will earn a Ph.D. in integrative life sciences from VCU in May. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2026: Pablo Lopez-Bustamante spreads seeds of knowledge

March 26, 2026

Earning his Ph.D., the tropical ecologist has worked with Catherine Hulshof’s Biodiversity Research Lab to enhance tree and forest data from the Americas and the Caribbean.

Amaria Ford “has consistently demonstrated outstanding dedication, initiative and excellence. She excels at every task she does,” according to a faculty mentor. (Contributed image)

Class of 2026: Amaria Ford connects biology, psychology and youth development

March 24, 2026

She has been a standout in undergraduate research, supporting the Empower Youth Lab led by Chelsea Williams.

Varsha Penumalee, a VCU biology major, serves on the Active Minds national student advisory committee, helping chapters on other campuses expand mental health advocacy. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU undergraduate honored for mental health advocacy with a national reach

March 18, 2026

Through Active Minds and NAMI, Varsha Penumalee has made a mark far beyond campus, driven by a belief that mental health should be accessible, culturally responsive and grounded.

Sara Bouchard’s piece, “En Masse,” was performed in Corvallis, Oregon, this January by a small university choir. (Contributed photo)

VCUarts professor gives voice to a single atom’s journey

March 13, 2026

Sara Bouchard’s choral work, inspired by lab data from Rice Rivers Center leader Chris Gough, traces the earth’s carbon cycle and invites the audience to sing along.