VCU Life Sciences and Sustainability

09/06/2026

A big congratulations to SLSS alum Ella Balasa, who has been named one of VCU’s 2026 Alumni Stars!

Ella is being recognized for her work as a patient advocate, helping ensure that medical progress is shaped not only by science, but also by the voices and experiences of the people it serves.

We’re proud to see an SLSS alum making an impact in health and advocacy. Congratulations, Ella!

Honorees will be recognized at an Oct. 9 event at the Science Museum of Virginia.

09/04/2026

Undergraduate research can open the door to work that makes a real impact.

This summer, VCU Biology sophomore and Honors College student Arushi Rao took on an ambitious challenge through the Honors Summer Undergraduate Research Program (HSURP): developing NeuroFlow, a software tool designed to help researchers analyze and organize screening images more efficiently.

Working with faculty mentor Guangwei Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., Rao combined software engineering with an understanding of biological research to create a tool that could help laboratories improve efficiency, reproducibility and accessibility.

Beyond the technical skills, Rao says the experience gave her the confidence to take on unfamiliar challenges and helped her discover a new passion for computational neuroscience.

Her work is a great example of how undergraduate research can give students the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to science while discovering new directions for their own futures.

Read the full story from VCU News:

The sophomore Honors College student and biology major spent her summer with researcher Guangwei Zhang, developing a tool to improve analysis of images.

09/03/2026

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out, connected with our campus community and helped make the event such a success!

We’re especially grateful for our incredible campus partners, student organizations and all of the students who brought their energy, enthusiasm and creativity to the Quad. From activities and giveaways to conversations and connections, you all made the day one to remember.

Thank you for showing up, getting involved and making Quad Fest a celebration of the SLSS community. We couldn’t have done it without you!

08/28/2026

Starting your journey at VCU can feel like a lot, but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Check out our quick guide to help you get settled, connected, and make the most of your time at SLSS.

08/26/2026

VCU is exploring what’s possible in K-12 education through innovation, collaboration and real-world learning.

A recent VCU News feature highlights the work of the Shift Education Lab and its partnerships across VCU — including the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability and the VCU Rice Rivers Center.

We’re excited to see Rice Rivers Center’s role in supporting future STEM education initiatives and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Read the full story below

We are thrilled to collaborate with VCU’s Shift Education Lab to help shape the future of K-12 education. By combining environmental science and strategic innovation, this partnership supports data science in STEM education for local secondary teachers and students.

Together, we are bridging the gap between traditional learning and modern technology to prepare the next generation to be scientifically literate and excited to learn.

Read full story: https://news.vcu.edu/article/shift-education-lab-brings-innovation-to-the-evolving-k-12-landscape?utm_source=VCUNewsNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VCUNewsNewsletter&utm_content=news.vcu.edu/article/shift-education-lab-brings-innovation-to-the-evolving-k-12-landscape

08/26/2026

Mark your calendar! Join us Wednesday, September 2 from 1-4 PM in the Trani Life Sciences Courtyard.

SLSS is more than your classes. Meet the students, faculty, staff, organizations and campus partners who make our community what it is!

Curious about research? Meet SLSS students, learn about their work and discover ways to get involved.

Find your people and get involved. Connect with student organizations, explore SLSS program and partners, or just come hang out at Quad Fest.

Stop by and connect, explore, and find your place in the SLSS community.

08/21/2026

Isra’a Nour, a 2015 VCU graduate with degrees in anthropology and biology, has built a career centered on humanitarian work, human rights, equity and justice. Her story highlights how experiences across disciplines can shape the way we understand people, communities and complex systems.

Proud to see the work of a VCU alum making an impact far beyond the classroom.

Read the full Meet-a-Ram story:

The 2015 graduate, powered by her service in Sudan, now works in the U.S. to support human rights, equity and justice.

08/20/2026

08/19/2026

From the classroom to the research lab!

VCU Biology student and Honors College student Melody Ngo spent her summer gaining hands-on research experience through the Honors Summer Undergraduate Research Program (HSURP).

Working with Dr. Adolfo Mauro, Melody contributed to research exploring heart disease in female carriers of a genetic mutation associated with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The experience helped her build research skills and discover how she hopes to incorporate research into her future career in medicine.

We’re proud to see our students putting their knowledge into practice and contributing to meaningful research!

Read the full story from VCU News:

Biology major Melody Ngo embraces how the Honors College and Wright Center offer ‘a crash run in what it is like to work in a lab day to day.’