News

Arjun (left) and Akash Jagdeesh, senior biology majors at VCU, work as emergency medical technicians for the Richmond Ambulance Authority. (Jonathan Mehring, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU twins are a double-dose of health care service as EMTs and researchers

Oct. 27, 2025

Akash and Arjun Jagdeesh connect campus, community and cancer insights along the Honors College path toward medical school.

Andrew Alli, who became the superintendent of the James River Park System this year, graduated from VCU’s environmental studies program in 2011. (Photo by Max Posner)

Meet-a-Ram: Andrew Alli’s path to James River Park System leadership came through VCU

Oct. 10, 2025

The new superintendent (and blues musician) found formative experiences on campus.

VCU School of Life Sciences and Sustainability professor Chris Gough has been named the new executive director of the Rice Rivers Center, the university’s field station along the James River. (Photo by Megan May)

VCU ecologist Chris Gough named new Rice Rivers Center executive director

Oct. 8, 2025

As the field station marks its 25th anniversary, he shares three top goals as it expands its footprint.

The student team documenting the trees across VCU’s Monroe Park and MCV campuses include Margaret Pletcher, Declan O'Donnell, Daniella Asnicar and Kaleb Rezac. (Contributed image)

How many trees are on VCU’s campuses?

Oct. 2, 2025

Student interns with the Rice Rivers Center are counting trees, and the comprehensive inventory could highlight the environmental and financial impact of the urban forest.

The Summer@Rice group at the North Lookout on Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania, home of the longest-running raptor hawk migration count in the world. (Contributed photo)

Students’ summer field research gets a payoff in the fall

Sept. 11, 2025

Summer@Rice program hosted by VCU’s Rice Rivers Center offers experiential ecology that carries into the new semester – and it comes with a stipend.

VCU announces recipients of 2025 faculty awards for scholarship, teaching excellence

Sept. 10, 2025

Interim Provost Beverly J. Warren today announced 30 winners of VCU’s National/International Recognition Awards and 25 winners of the Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Awards.

Three students standing on dock in front of the Rice Rivers Center

What inspires a student to turn curiosity about the environment into campus-wide change? For Environmental Studies major Yelena Sanyer, it started with a walk to Belle Isle.

Sept. 8, 2025

What inspires a student to turn curiosity about the environment into campus-wide change? For Environmental Studies major Yelena Sanyer, it started with a walk to Belle Isle.

Overhead picture of Rice River Center, looking over wetlands, field station, and lake.

VPM PBS highlights Rice Rivers Center and the benefits of dam removal

Sept. 3, 2025

From dam removal to a thriving wetland, Kimages Creek is now teeming with life. Dr. Ed Crawford of VCU's Rice Rivers Center told the story on VPM PBS's Virginia Home Grown - and showed how wetlands shape our ecosystems and future.

Student measures the depth of the water table near groundwater wells at the Rice River Center.

Field station of dreams

Aug. 22, 2025

For 25 years, VCU Rice Rivers Center has been students’ portal to the natural world, playing host to research, restoration and life-changing experiential learning.

Biology graduate student Kyleigh Johnson takes a sample at Swan Lake. (Thomas Kojcsich/Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU research in action: Finding answers in the algae in Richmond’s lakes

Aug. 22, 2025

Researchers wade into the fluorescent blooms of summer, which threaten human health and the region’s waterways.