School of Life Sciences and Sustainability

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Mariam Topchyan

Mariam Topchyan receives 2024-2025 Outstanding Thesis Award

July 21, 2025

The VCU Graduate School honored Topchyan in the category of Life Sciences.

A day of field work in Highland County, Virginia

Notes from the Field: Abby Bressette

July 9, 2025

Video documents avian research conducted in Highland County, Virginia.

This summer, Nic Carwile is participating in a research internship in Germany at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. (Contributed photo)

Family ties, including a father’s illness, propel a son’s research journey

July 8, 2025

VCU biology major Nic Carwile finds special resonance in his prestigious summer internship in Germany.

A group of VCU students on the shore of a riverbank

River Management Society recognizes 2025 RSLC recipients

July 3, 2025

Five VCU students among those earning national certificate in river studies and leadership.

Chris Gough, Ph.D.

Chris Gough appointed executive director of the VCU Rice Rivers Center

July 1, 2025

Gough is a biology professor and graduate program director in the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability.

American kestrels ready to fledge

Notes from the Field: A look at Summer@Rice research projects

June 24, 2025

Interns highlight their research in their own words.

VCU students in the Wilderness and Wildlife course spotted 92 species of birds during a five-day trip in the South Carolina low country this spring. (Contributed photo)

VCU students embrace the call of the wild

June 16, 2025

Two recent environmental studies courses reflect how hands-on learning – sometimes far from campus – is at the heart of the new School of Life Sciences and Sustainability.

VCU students Anusha Soni and Yatri Patel have conducted research focused on a treatment for pancreatitis and its availability for underserved communities. (Contributed photo)

VCU undergraduates visit the halls of power to advocate for pancreatic disease research and funding

June 12, 2025

A showcase for state lawmakers led to an even bigger opportunity for Yatri Patel and Anusha Soni: representing a national coalition in advocacy before Congress.

The rise of bedbugs matches up closely with the rise of human cities, according to new research. (Getty Images)

When did bedbugs become a common nighttime nuisance? VCU expert Brian Verrelli has an answer

May 30, 2025

The closer quarters of city living helped the pest population take off around 13,000 years ago, he and his research colleagues have found.

A group of faculty and students watch a presentation during the Rice Rivers Center Research Symposium at the Walter L. Rice Education Building.

Research Symposium returns to Rice Rivers Center

May 19, 2025

The event was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.