The Department of Biomedical Engineering is now offering a master’s degree with a non-thesis option.
Biomedical engineering graduate program is top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
Biomedical Engineering at VCU – your path to medical school
The academic prestige of biomedical engineering — and its focus on innovation — make it one of the best majors for aspiring physicians. Learn more about how biomedical engineering at VCU can position you for success in medical school.
Recent News
Faculty members receive promotions and tenure 2022
Please join us in congratulating faculty members who have received academic promotions and/or tenure.
comp, egr, mech
Additional financial aid, new buildings, cancer research funding and more
Newly approved two-year state budget provides VCU with a ‘historic level of funding.’
egr
Quenching pharma’s thirst for more targeted aerosol drug delivery systems
As a Minnesota biotech company chases life-saving applications for their research, two VCU professors press forward on their work to use aerosols — tiny particles released into the airways — to deliver advanced drugs to those in need.
mech, mne
VCU Engineering’s Jayasimha Atulasimha, Ph.D., honored with two engineering distinctions
Atulasimha recently received two notable distinctions: the Richmond Joint Engineering Council (RJEC) Engineer of the Year for 2021 and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 2021 Adaptive Structures and Material Systems (ASMS) Active and Multifunctional Materials Outstanding Contribution Award.
mech, mne
The testbeds were developed under the leadership of Erdem Topsakal, Ph.D., director of the CCI Central Virginia regional node and professor and chair of VCU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
ece, elec
Building a sustainable urban park – from the ground up
How a class of VCU students’ research – on soil to vegetation and everything in between – is laying the groundwork for the Science Museum of Virginia to develop the sustainable green space of the future.
chem
Inspired to design: Student follows mechanical engineering passion and becomes DoD SMART Scholar
Isaac Asimov and inventors like Henry Ford are inspirations for Lars Axberg, a mechanical engineering sophomore who recently received the Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) scholarship.
mech
Her combined passion for people and robots leads to a graduate research fellowship
She believed the combination of both her passions - robotics and biomedical engineering - could lead to solutions that supplement thinly stretched health care workers while also reducing medical errors.
biomed, chem
Supporting the next generation of chemical engineers at the VCU College of Engineering
A specialized engineering course taught by water treatment experts.
chem
Engineering students showcase elegant solutions to real-world problems at Capstone Design Expo
One team of biomedical engineering students creates a prototype of a childproof handgun safety mechanism to help curb accidental injuries and deaths.
egr
Now building an app for her nonprofit, Erika Misseri credits a VCU course that ‘changed her life’ for encouraging her to pursue research
comp, cs
Computer science major helps create app for underserved population
The app will help caregivers of children with Down syndrome keep track of medical records, appointments and more.
comp, cs
How do bones change in outer space? This chemistry major is doing research to find out
Lovell Abraham’s hard work earned him a VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program fellowship and an award in last fall’s undergraduate poster symposium.
biomed, bme
VCU chapter of National Academy of Inventors inducts eight faculty researchers
The university’s research enterprise is growing stronger because of a ‘culture of collaboration’ that benefits people and changes lives, said VCU President Michael Rao.
ece, elec, egr, mech, mne
High School Programming Contest concludes in victory
VCU Engineering’s Department of Computer Science hosted high school students from across Virginia for its High School Programming Contest.
comp
Engineering’s Annual Capstone Design Expo set for April 29
The annual event will be held Friday, April 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the VCU Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St. Awards will be presented at 2:30 p.m. The expo is free and open to the public.
egr
The Dreams to Reality Incubator: open for business
At Virginia Commonwealth University, the Dreams to Reality Incubator (D2Ri) is the place where students, faculty and local businesses work to develop partnerships for introducing new products to market.
elec
VCU College of Engineering programs rising in rankings
Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering graduate programs among top ranked.
biomed, mech, nuclear
Barbara D. Boyan, Ph.D., the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin, Jr. Dean of the VCU College of Engineering has received the Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) for 2022.
biomed, bme, egr
Q&A with Patrick Martin, Ph.D.
5 Questions, 5 Answers, 5 Minutes – Featuring Patrick J. Martin, Ph.D., Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
elec
Advanced materials for missions to the Moon — and beyond
Ibrahim Guven, Ph.D., is part of a collaboration that will help NASA meet its goal of sending a manned mission to Mars in coming years.
mech, mne
Largest publicly shared gift for liver research in U.S. history to transform liver care at VCU
A historic $104 million gift will support VCU’s new Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health in its efforts to stop, prevent and reverse liver disease.
egr
James Ferri, Ph.D., professor and vice chair in VCU’s Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, is part of an international team of researchers collaborating with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) to send fluid science experiments to the International Space Station (ISS).
chem, clse
Years after VCU Engineering student Karl Linn died in combat, his legacy endures
A mechanical engineering student, Lance Cpl. Karl Linn planned to return to VCU Engineering after his tour of duty with the United States Marine Corps. Unfortunately he never made it back. A scholarship in Linn's name honors the legacy of this inquisitive, duty-bound American hero.
egr, mech
VCU Engineering faculty are among the world's most-cited researchers.
biomed, bme, chem, clse, comp, cs, ece, elec, mech, mne, nuclear, nuc
VCU’s online master’s in mechanical and nuclear engineering ranked one of best values in nation
VCU Engineering’s online master’s program in mechanical and nuclear engineering is one of the best values for online education in the nation according to Best Value Schools (BVS). BVS is an online resource that ranks university programs according to quality, affordability and return on investment.
egr, mech, mne, nuclear, nuc
VCU Engineering continues to break records in enrollment, degrees awarded
According to the university’s Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support, VCU’s College of Engineering continues to see steady growth in enrollment and graduation rates — even breaking its own records in some of these arenas.
egr
Expanding cloud access: Dean Barbara D. Boyan, Ph.D., in Richmond Times-Dispatch
“State-wide initiatives are underway to bring advanced cloud computing to all Virginians and sectors of the economy, but we must do more," said Dean Barbara Boyan, Ph.D. ibelown a recent letter to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
comp, egr
Unfolding history: VCU students contribute to massive Holocaust research project
VCU Engineering staff member and history graduate student Kendall Sargent is contributing research to a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum project seeking to better understand what Americans knew about the Holocaust from reading local newspapers.
chem, egr
Alberto Cano, Ph.D., named faculty director of VCU's High Performance Research Computing Core facility.
comp, cs
Priscilla Hwang, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical engineering, has received an NSF CAREER Award for her investigations into the function of leader cells
biomed, bme, egr
NRC funds VCU Engineering team’s advanced materials investigations for improved reactor safety
The NRC has funded a VCU College of Engineering research team led by Jessika Rojas, Ph.D., to investigate the behavior of a set of nuclear materials, with the aim of improving the safety and performance of the U.S. nuclear power fleet.
mech, mne, nuclear, nuc
Probing spaceflight conditions to help solve age-related musculoskeletal decline
Michael Friedman, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in VCU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, is conducting experiments to discover genetic factors that may determine how bone and muscle tissues deteriorate in the low-gravity conditions of spaceflight.
biomed, bme
VCU achieves record national research ranking
The National Science Foundation, which tracks federally funded research expenditures, has announced that VCU ranks #58 of 415 public research universities, up from #65 last year.
covid, egr
Bennett Ward, Ph.D., inducted into elite body of U.S. inventors
Bennett C. Ward, Ph.D., has invented the technologies behind a world of products including surgical devices, inkjet printers, at-home pregnancy tests and air fresheners
alumni, chem, clse, egr
VCU Commercialization Fund awards support to four VCU Engineering innovators
VCU Engineering leads the university in the latest round of VCU Commercialization Fund awards, receiving four of the six awards given
biomed, bme, chem, clse, mech, mne
VCU Engineering: Our first quarter century
We’re celebrating our 25th birthday this year with grateful appreciation to those who envisioned this college and brought it to life.
egr
VIDEO: Milos Manic, Ph.D., discusses cybersecurity threats — and ways to disable them
Sharon Bowes, anchor and producer of NewsPoint360, interviews Milos Manic, Ph.D., IEEE Fellow, professor of computer science and director of VCU’s Cybersecurity Center.
comp, cs
B. Frank Gupton, Ph.D., discusses a redesign of pharmaceutical manufacturing
Sharon Bowes, anchor and producer of NewsPoint360, interviews B. Frank Gupton, Ph.D., CEO of VCU Engineering’s Medicines for All Institute, co-founder of Phlow Corp. and the college’s Floyd D. Gottwald, Jr. Chair in pharmaceutical engineering.
chem, clse
Catching up with VCU Engineering’s first graduates: The Class of 2000
Meet Shahab Siddiqui, Ph.D., a member of VCU Engineering's first graduating class. "Some of my family members joked back then that 'VCU opened an engineering school for you,' as I was a new immigrant to the U.S. and looking for electrical engineering programs in Virginia," he recalled.
alumni, elec, egr
International workshop aims to counter nuclear proliferation finance in Africa
Mechanical and nuclear engineering assistant professor Braden Goddard, Ph.D., hosted an international workshop on countering finance activities for the illegal manufacture, acquisition or use of nuclear weapons. The program was presented in collaboration with VCU’s School of Business, and with support from the Argonne National Laboratory. It brought together scholars from the U.S., Angola, Mozambique and South Africa.
mech, mne
Computer science professor named president-elect of IEEE society
The members of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Industrial Electronics Society (IES) have elected Milos Manic, Ph.D., IEEE Fellow, as its new president-elect effective Jan. 1, 2022. Manic was elected from a slate of five candidates spanning four continents.
comp, cs, egr
Catching up with VCU Engineering’s first graduates: The Class of 2000
In these two interviews, class of 2000 alumni Mia Sanchez de Lozada, D.D.S., and Robbie Staples, PE, reflect on the earliest years of VCU Engineering
alumni, biomed, ece, egr
Veteran and mechanical and nuclear engineering major Jake Davenport is working to help military students make the transition from active duty to college. He is also creating opportunities to help Afghan refugees.
egr, mech
Catching up with VCU Engineering’s first graduates: The Class of 2000
We caught up with members of VCU Engineering's very first graduating class to find out what they remember about the earliest days of the college. Meet Robert Snodgrass, PE, Class of 2000.
alumni, egr, mech
Hear from some of VCU Engineering’s staff members who have served and their reflections on how their military experience influenced their current role in the college
egr
At the sixth annual HealthHacks, innovators reimagine the medical education field.
biomed, egr
VCU Engineering hosted more than 200 families, community partners, volunteers, faculty and staff at Explore & Tour, a STEM-discovery event.
egr
Engineering names DEI coordinator
Keara Chambers M.P.A, a coordinator in Engineering’s Office of Government and Community Outreach, has been named the college’s diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator.
egr
A glance at some of the latest research projects at VCU, including VCU Engineering projects to improve air quality, save coral populations and expand availability of a potential COVID drug.
chem, clse, egr
Visit from Indian delegation sets stage for collaboration, exchange
A daylong visit to Virginia Commonwealth University by two delegates from the Indian embassy in Washington could open doors for educational exchanges and partnerships between VCU students and staff and their counterparts abroad.
egr
The Medicines for All Institute (M4ALL) in the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering has developed low-cost manufacturing processes for molnupiravir, the first investigational pill to treat COVID-19.
chem, clse, egr
‘This is close to home for me’
Veteran and mechanical engineering major Jake Davenport and other VCU student veterans started a campaign to assist Afghan refugees being temporarily housed at Fort Lee and Fort Pickett. “This is close to home for me,” Davenport said. “These people don’t have a lot to begin with. We want to give them a good U.S. welcome and show them what it’s like to be American.”
egr, mech
Alumni Profiles: Isaac Rodriguez, Ph.D. (M.S.’10; Ph.D.’13)
VCU Engineering’s pioneering work in tissue engineering drew Isaac Rodriguez, Ph.D., to the college for his master’s and Ph.D. He has developed a product that leverages Manuka honey to promote wound healing and, in 2015, co-founded the medical device company SweetBio. We recently caught up with him for a chat.
alumni, biomed, bme, egr
In honor of Ada Lovelace Day...
In honor of Ada Lovelace Day, we caught up with VCU Engineering’s female computer science faculty members to ask their advice for other women in computing.
comp, cs, egr, nuclear
Highly contagious new COVID-19 strains call for better masks. Wei-Ning Wang, Ph.D., is working to meet this need with a mask design that uses chemical reactions and electrical charges to kill microbes including the coronavirus particle.
covid, mech, mne
The eighth annual RamHacks was held virtually on September 25-26, 2021 and hosted by VCU’s computer science department and students. Participants had 24 hours to create solutions for problems presented by industry sponsors Parsons, CoStar, Bank of America, CarMax, OutSystems and CiperTech.
comp, egr
U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger spoke at the VCU College of Engineering to announce the introduction of legislation to create a strategic national stockpile of key ingredients used in essential generic medicines and to incentivize domestic manufacturing of these ingredients.
chem, clse, egr
As you return to campus (or keep an eye on things from afar if you’re still working or studying from home) here are some new faces, programs, resources, buildings and more to know about.
egr
As COVID-19 mutates to become more contagious, Michael Peters, Ph.D., is accelerating efforts to disable the “spikes” that give the coronavirus particle its familiar shape — and its power to prey on cells.
chem, clse, covid, egr
For more than a decade, VCU’s Nanomaterials Core Characterization Facility has been helping researchers navigate the nanoscale, a world that is almost indescribably small.
biomed, chem, ece, mne
From VCU Engineering to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Miguel Toro, Ph.D., came from Colombia to earn his doctorate in mechanical and nuclear engineering at the VCU College of Engineering. His adviser was associate professor Jessika Rojas, Ph.D.
alumni, mech
Using data-driven machine learning to combat the opioid crisis
How can machine learning help stop the opioid epidemic? It begins with gathering enough large-scale data to develop predictive treatment policies that can be supported across communities in a targeted approach.
elec
NIH-funded modern “white cane” brings navigation assistance to the 21st century
Robotic cane with 3D camera can accurately guide user to chosen location, avoiding obstacles
comp
As students returned to Richmond for the first day of classes, VCU News caught up with them to find out what they were most excited about and what they missed the most.
mech
Introducing: VCU Engineering Connections
VCU Engineering has launched VCU Engineering Connections, the new official mentorship platform for the VCU College of Engineering.
egr
VCU’s strategic research plan aims to shape a bold new era
The plan will guide the university’s efforts to enrich the human experience, achieve a just and equitable society, optimize health, and support sustainable energy and environments.
egr
VCU Engineering’s inaugural Sophomore NAE Challenge took place the week of Aug.10-14. With guidance from mentors, sophomores worked in teams and individually to design solutions to advance five of the NAE’s 14 game-changing goals for improving life on the planet.
egr
Computer science major Allie Martin hones technology and leadership skills in summer internship with broadcasting giant.
comp
Virtual reality brings students into the invisible physics behind everyday processes.
elec
An article first-authored by Johane Bracamonte Baran, a doctoral student in VCU’s Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, was named 2020 Editor’s Choice by the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, a publication of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
mech, mne
Photo Essay: They’ve got the beat(s)
Hip-hop rhythms meet computer coding at VCU Engineering's Battle of the Beats.
comp
VCU Engineering professor to lead National Science Foundation’s Division of Undergraduate Education
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has appointed Rosalyn Hobson Hargraves, Ph.D., to be its director of the Division of Undergraduate Education.
elec, egr
In the hottest parts of the city, how polluted is the air?
Researchers to add local air pollution measurements to map of Richmond, Virginia.
chem, clse
VCU multidisciplinary researchers seek to improve early detection of aortic diseases
In a collaboration between VCU’s College of Engineering and School of Medicine, researchers are testing novel imaging methods to assess a patient’s risk of life-threatening dissection of the aorta.
biomed, bme
Faculty member earns NRC funding
A $450,000 faculty development grant from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will fund the research program of Lane Carasik, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering.
mech, nuclear
Sana Hosseini, Ph.D., earns VCU’s 2021 Distinguished Dissertation Award
"I feel so lucky for the opportunity to work in a wonderful research group. I’m grateful for all the guidance and support from my mentors at VCU over the past couple of years. I’d especially like to thank my adviser, Dr. Laleh Golshahi, the director of the Respiratory Aerosol Research and Educational (RARE) laboratory. She and the RARE lab inspired my research throughout my Ph.D. studies."
mech
Michael Mancini, Ph.D., to lead Engineering Capstone Senior Design
Michael Mancini, Ph.D., formerly the business development manager at VCU Innovation Gateway since 2017, is overseeing the VCU College of Engineering’s Capstone senior design program as its new director of project outreach.
egr
Nuclear engineering faculty member recreates missing data from watershed 1960s reactor experiments.
nuclear
VCU’s International Engineering Student Scholarships awarded
The recipients of VCU’s International Engineering Student Scholarship represent all of the college’s engineering disciplines — and a world of backgrounds.
egr
Researcher’s $2.1M grant renewal will further our understanding of how diseases develop
A Virginia Commonwealth University engineering professor has received a $2,093,541 grant renewal from the National Institutes of Health for his research into how mechanical forces regulate cellular processes, which is key to understanding the development and progression of disease.
biomed, bme
VCU Engineering faculty members receive Presidential Research Quest Fund grants
Three Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering faculty members have received 2021 grants through the VCU Presidential Research Quest Fund (PeRQ).
biomed, bme, ece, elec
VCU College of Engineering receives $1 million grant from Bank of America
Bank of America today announced it is making a $1 million anchor grant to Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) College of Engineering. The grant will support ongoing programs that expand access for students to pursue a technology education, engage thousands of K-12 students in engineering outreach experiences and increase teacher participation in professional development sessions.
foundation, egr
The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology and Education (NIPTE) is pleased to welcome Virginia Commonwealth University, through its College of Engineering, as its newest member.
egr
New communications technology for smarter ‘smart warehouses’
Ruixin Niu, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is working to optimize communications systems for smart warehouses. He is the principal investigator on a project to design a distributed wireless system to enhance communications capabilities for smart warehouses’ industrial internet of things devices.
ece, elec
VCU Engineering faculty members receive VCU Community-engaged Research Grants
Two faculty members in VCU’s College of Engineering have received Community-engaged Research (CEnR) grants for 2021.
biomed, elec
Associate professor of computer science receives funding for work to secure 3D printing
Irfan Ahmed, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science in the VCU College of Engineering, has received funding from the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) for research that will help safeguard additive manufacturing from cyberattacks.
comp
Doctoral student receives 2021 Innovations in Nuclear Technology R&D Award
Dimitris Killinger (B.S.’15), a doctoral student in VCU’s Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, has received the 2021 Innovations in Nuclear Technology R&D Award.
mech
Diversity organizations honor VCU Engineering alum for outstanding teaching
Ryan Green, Ph.D. (Ph.D.’19), who completed his doctorate in electrical and computer engineering at VCU in 2019, has been recognized for excellence in teaching at Mississippi State University (MSU).
alumni, elec
Alberto Cano, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, has been honored as an IEEE Access Outstanding Associate Editor for 2020.
comp
Computer science professor wins funding to help secure nuclear energy infrastructure
Milos Manic, Ph.D., has received $200,000 from the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to develop technologies to integrate and secure critical systems for nuclear power. Manic is a professor of computer science at VCU College of Engineering and director of the VCU Cybersecurity Center. He holds a joint appointment with the INL.
comp
VCU Engineering student shares his hands-on learning experience at VCU
Starting this fall, all incoming undergraduates at Virginia Commonwealth University will be required to complete at least one Relevant, Experiential and Applied Learning experience before they graduate. But if you’re one of those students, before you start thinking, Ugh – not another requirement! – take a moment to consider what this will mean for you.
biomed
Introducing SHIFT Retail Lab at VCU
Shift Retail Lab at VCU is a multifunctional retail space where past and present VCU students can showcase their work to gain insights and test their products, services, and ideas with real world customers.
egr
Ashley Bland: 2021 RPS Teacher of the Year
Ashley S. Bland, who was in the RTR Teacher Residency’s Cohort 5, earned her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the VCU School of Education in 2016. She was recently named Richmond Public Schools 2021 Teacher of the Year.
biomed
Philanthropist and alum Dorothy Pauley, a long-time member of the Medical College of Virginia Foundation board and a strong supporter of the Richmond arts community, has died. She was 91.
foundation, egr
M.D.-Ph.D. student receives Canadian Doctoral Foreign Study Award
Steven Meas, a dual M.D.-Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University, will receive the prestigious Doctoral Foreign Study Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
biomed
Faculty members receive promotions and tenure
Please join us in congratulating 15 faculty members who have received academic promotions and/or tenure. These appointments will take effect July 1, 2021.
egr
Postdoctoral researcher receives award to conduct coral experiments in California
Liza Roger, Ph.D., has received a 2021 Early Career Training Program Award from the Coral Bleaching Research Coordination Network, an interdisciplinary program funded by the National Science Foundation.
chem, clse
A computer science research team from VCU Engineering won an international challenge for their novel method of predicting intrinsically disordered proteins.
comp, cs
Medicines for All Institute quickly pivots to COVID-19 treatments
The Medicines for All Institute (M4ALL) has been developing innovative, cost-effective processes for making drugs that fight HIV, malaria and tuberculosis since it was established at the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering in 2017.
chem
At VCU Engineering’s first in-person graduation since 2019, there were many cheers, a few tears and satisfaction at being able to mark the milestone together. Commencement exercises took place on May 16, in Richmond's historic Altria Theater.
egr
VCU alum nominated to federal chemical safety agency board
President Joe Biden has nominated Sylvia E. Johnson, Ph.D. (M.S.’91) as one of three members of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB).
biomed
Class of 2021: Jordan Howard Thomas’ degree is a tribute to his grandfather 27 years in the making
In 1994, Howard Belton had just retired as an engineer at Chrysler in Michigan when his grandson, Jordan Howard Thomas, was born. The two became inseparable.
mech
VCU Engineering establishes scholarship in memory of Cody Woodson
The College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University has established a scholarship in memory of Cody Woodson, a computer science major who died April 5.
egr
Outstanding graduate students honored for research, teaching
Competition was fierce for VCU Engineering’s Outstanding Graduate Research award this year, with 16 nominees from all five of the college’s departments. Two winners were selected.
elec, mech
For patients with braces, flossing teeth is a pain. A VCU student’s invention could make it easier
Christina Gordon, a Virginia Commonwealth University dental student who dislikes flossing, invented a cleaning device for orthodontic patients who wear braces. Now her invention is one of five projects awarded funding to help it reach the commercial market.
egr
When an aircraft traveling 3,000 mph hits even a tiny particle, the impact is significant. New research by Ibrahim Guven, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, will help determine just how significant those high-speed encounters can be.
mech
Graduate School offerings help make it easier and more affordable to obtain an advanced degree
Students graduating with bachelor’s degrees are often vying for jobs with hundreds of other applicants. A global health crisis that disrupts the world economy like the COVID-19 pandemic only makes job hunting more competitive.
egr
2021 Capstone Design winners celebrated, top honors announced
A virtual Capstone Design awards ceremony on April 30 celebrated excellence in student innovation at the VCU College of Engineering.
egr
Class of 2021: Computer science student Max Safo immerses himself in technical topics
Max Safo used computers from a young age and always liked cars, so he initially thought he would study mechanical engineering in college, but he ended up veering away from that field because he was apprehensive about the math requirements.
comp
Class of 2021: How the impossibility of college became a reality for Ashley Lawrence
In 2009, going to college seemed like a complete impossibility to Ashley Lawrence, who had just graduated from high school and was living on her own — with a puppy — and working full time in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
elec
Two VCU Engineering alums and one student researcher receive NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
Two VCU Engineering alums, and one three-year undergraduate member of a VCU Engineering lab, have received recognition in the highly prestigious National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) Graduate Research Fellowship Program. The program recognizes outstanding students pursuing research-based graduate degrees in the U.S. in disciplines supported by the NSF.
comp, elec, mech
Two VCU Engineering juniors awarded SMART Scholarships for 2021-22
Two VCU College of Engineering undergraduates have received Science, Math and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarships for 2021-22. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) established the highly competitive SMART Scholarship program to support the nation’s top science and engineering students.
comp, elec
Capstone 2021: Experience the innovation
Experience the innovative research and design projects that teams of VCU Engineering seniors have been working on for the past year — and see the winners announced in real-time.
egr
Capstone Spotlight MULTI 601 - Computer Vision for Improved Global Sanitation
This project uses chemical and life science engineering concepts, plus innovative technology, to produce an app to help field operators characterize sludge at treatment plants for better process control and monitoring.
egr
Capstone Spotlight MNE 521 - A Liquid Metal Loop for Advanced Energy Systems
This project offers a way to test the heat-transfer properties of liquid metal and investigate how loop design can capitalize on those properties for more efficient energy production.
mech
Capstone Spotlight CS 303 - Honey Bee Language Dance Translator
The app includes a script to help users remotely operate a webcam to video record the hive. It also has a video processing component that tracks and clusters honey bee dances captured on video.
comp
Class of 2021: Alex Trainham excels inside and outside the classroom
Before coming to Virginia Commonwealth University, Alex Trainham hadn’t really programmed before. In high school in Fredericksburg, Virginia, he was into computers and loved audio engineering — experimenting with beats, synthesizers and other music production tools — but it wasn’t until his mom mentioned a friend who codes that he began considering programming as a possible career.
comp
VCU College of Engineering and partners develop plan to strengthen emerging business cluster
A coalition of regional economic development, private business and higher education leaders is mobilizing to build a global cluster of advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and development in Richmond and Petersburg.
chem
Fotis Sotiropoulos appointed VCU provost and vice president for academic affairs
Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao, Ph.D., today announced the appointment of Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., to the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs.
egr
Doctoral candidate featured by American Chemical Society
Doctoral candidate Katelyn Shell is presenting a talk for the Younger Chemist Committee of the American Chemical Society (ACS) on April 19.
chem
Capstone Spotlight BME 104 - Patellar (Knee) Decompression Brace
This is an attachment that can fit onto existing ACL and knee braces that helps to very slightly lift the kneecap to reduce pain caused by bone-on-bone rubbing from the wearing away of cartilage in the knee.
biomed
In memoriam: Thomas Farrell, Dominion Energy CEO and former VCU board member
VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., offered words of remembrance following the death of Dominion Energy CEO Thomas F. Farrell II. The 66-year-old Farrell died April 2 after battling cancer, his passing coming one day after he stepped down as executive board chairman at Dominion.
foundation, egr
Navigating drug and device development
Every day, millions of people in health care, from oncologists to rehabilitation specialists to dentists, use the tools at their disposal to help patients get better.
biomed, egr
Cody Woodson: Tireless mentor, steadfast friend, celebrated TA
Scores of students who made it through Computer Systems (CMSC 257), a challenging computer science course that is almost a rite-of-passage among VCU Engineering undergraduates, have him to thank.
comp, egr
Capstone Spotlight: ECE 414 – An Autonomous Sea Vehicle
This autonomous sea vehicle (ASV) can detect and track nearby objects and determine how far away those objects are.
elec
Michael H. Peters, Ph.D., discusses COVID-19 variants
Sharon Bowes, anchor and producer of NewsPoint360, interviews Michael H. Peters, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering at VCU Engineering.
chem
Meet VCU Engineering’s first Completion Grant awardee
Kiana Hutt, the first student to be awarded a VCU College of Engineering completion grant, is a senior studying mechanical engineering. She grew up in Dinwiddie, Virginia, with three step-sisters and one brother. Her mother and stepfather are military veterans.
foundation, mech
An unmanned aerial vehicle created by VCU Engineering students to deliver cargo recently competed against similar UAVs from around the country in the 2021 Innovative Additive Manufacturing 3D Challenge.
mech
New master’s program incentives for Ram Engineers
To continue VCU’s commitment to prepare you for the job market, the university and College of Engineering want to make it easier for you to transition directly into a master’s program at VCU if that’s the right choice for you.
egr
Pi Day of Giving surpasses fundraising goal
VCU Engineering and Tau Beta Pi raised $4,054 in this month’s Pi Day of Giving fundraising campaign to benefit the Completion Grant fund.
foundation, egr
HealthHacks Spring 2021 teams tackle medical challenges
From improving a heart scanning procedure to reducing bed sores, dozens of students spent 30 hours over the weekend of March 27-28 creating, then presenting their solutions addressing current needs in diagnosis and patient care.
biomed, elec
For VCU freshman Juan Jones, life is nothing short of a miracle
At 19, Juan Jones is a happy, healthy freshman in Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Engineering. A biomedical engineering major, Jones exercises, eats well and lives “a normal life.” He’s even planning to take up football again, a sport at which he excelled in high school.
biomed
From the Jetson’s maid, Rosie, to Star Wars’ R2-D2, images of robots are everywhere. But relatively few people have much direct interaction with robots. There are good reasons why.
comp, cs
Lane Carasik, Ph.D, receives 2020 Lewis F. Moody Award
Lane Carasik, Ph.D., assistant professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering at VCU Engineering and director of VCU’s High Performance Research Computing core facility, has been awarded the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 2020 Lewis F. Moody Award. Carasik is an expert in computational and experimental thermal hydraulics.
mech, nuclear
VCU’s annual Service Recognition Celebration was held March 23 to honor VCU and VCU Health employees who reached university employment milestones in 2020.
egr
Incoming VCU Engineering students now have a chance to earn a credential in user-experience design
Before classes begin this fall, the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University will offer its incoming first-year students the opportunity to earn an “Introduction to Design Thinking” credential from the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation.
egr
Trees, redlining and urban heat: A planting project in Randolph goes beyond beautification
Armed with shovels, wheelbarrows and passion, volunteers from Virginia Commonwealth University spent the first warm, sunny day of 2021 planting trees in partnership with Amelia Street School in Richmond’s Randolph neighborhood last week. The work was designed to add outdoor learning space to the school and reduce summertime heat within the city.
egr
Understanding variants of the coronavirus can offer clues about the next threats
Scientists are closely watching the emergence of variants of the coronavirus that may be more infectious. The spread of troubling variants in different parts of the world, including in the U.S., is happening as officials are racing to inject vaccines into the arms of adult populations.
chem, clse, covid
Hot and cool: TekStyle, a startup by VCU Engineering students, wants to optimize your mask
TekStyle, a startup run by students in the College of Engineering at VCU, is designing a new facemask that protects the wearer in two ways.
elec
Richmond Times-Dispatch op-ed by Virginia’s engineering deans: A united response during a pandemic
I write this on behalf of the deans of the following engineering schools in Virginia: Christopher Newport University, George Mason University, Hampton University, James Madison University, Liberty University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Sweet Briar College, the University of Virginia, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia State University and Virginia Tech.
egr
Three biomedical engineering graduate students receive Koerner Family Foundation awards
Three Virginia Commonwealth University biomedical engineering graduate students have been selected to receive stipends from the Koerner Family Foundation.
biomed
Imagine a word and ... a device speaks?
For people with a complete loss of speech, such as patients with late-stage ALS, there are roadblocks between the signals being fired in their brain and the ability to voice their thoughts in words.
biomed, bme
Carlos Castano, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, and Jennifer Puetzer, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, have received Faculty Early Development (CAREER) awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for 2021.
biomed, bme, mech, mne
The ziggurat on top of West Hall has been illuminated with green lights Feb. 21-27 in honor of Engineers Week 2021.
egr
Boyan, Donahue named Orthopaedic Research Society fellows
Barbara D. Boyan, Ph.D., the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin, Jr. Dean of the college, and Henry J. Donahue, Ph.D., the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin, Jr. Distinguished Chair and chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, were recognized for this honor on Feb. 15 at the ORS virtual annual meeting.
biomed, bme
Biomedical engineering faculty researcher receives NIH grant
Jennifer Puetzer, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has won a grant from a multi-institutional resource center funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
biomed, bme
Three research projects led by principal investigators from the College of Engineering at VCU and one from VCU School of the Arts have been selected to receive funding from the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI).
biomed, bme, chem, clse, ece, elec, mech, mne
College of Engineering at VCU offers new Ph.D. in computer science
VCU Engineering will offer a new doctoral program in computer science. This program reflects the Department of Computer Science’s robust growth in research funding and scholarship. It follows new doctoral programs in pharmaceutical engineering (a joint program with the School of Pharmacy) and chemical and life science engineering.
comp, cs, egr
Renewable power sources have potential to reduce energy costs and carbon footprint, but the massive size of wind and solar power grids presents its own set of cybersecurity challenges.
comp, cs
The College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University officially opened its Engineering Research Building (ERB) today, marking a major milestone in the college’s growth in research and workforce development programs. The four-story, 133,000-square-foot facility significantly expands the college’s laboratory capacity for advanced research. It also supports economic development initiatives and hands-on engineering education.
egr
Laleh Golshahi, Ph.D., an assistant professor in VCU’s Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, is leading a multidisciplinary team that received a $1.6 million, three-year contract from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop physical and computer-based models to evaluate the performance of generic and brand-name nasal spray medications used by children.
mech, mne
Computer science professor to receive elite biomedical engineering honor
Cang Ye, Ph.D., has been selected for induction as a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), an elite group that comprises the top two percent of medical and biological engineers nationally.
biomed, comp
American Nuclear Society poster award winner
Ryan McGuire, poster Award winner during the American Nuclear Society 2020 Winter Meeting
mech
Save time, look great: Ready-to-use templates available
You’ve created the content. Let us help you make it beautiful — and on-brand.
egr
VCU Engineering to celebrate grand opening of Engineering Research Building Feb. 3
For more than two years, Richmond has been watching VCU College of Engineering’s newest building take shape. Now it’s time to take a peek inside.
foundation, egr
Erdem Topsakal, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is co-editor of “Antenna and Sensor Technologies in Modern Medical Applications."
elec
Upcoming Events
Sep 14 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Fall 2022 On-Campus Engineering Internship and Career Fair
East Hall Atrium and ERB Atrium
09/14/2022 10:00:00 EDT
Sep 13 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Fall 2022 Virtual Engineering Internship and Career Fair
Virtual
09/13/2022 14:00:00 EDT