Undergraduate students present study findings at the annual VCU Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity, one of several events during the university's annual Student Research Weeks. (Photos by Kevin Morley, University Relations)
Undergraduate students present study findings at the annual VCU Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity, one of several events during the university's annual Student Research Weeks. (Photos by Kevin Morley, University Relations)

Student projects take center stage at VCU research events

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Undergraduate and graduate students will share their research at Virginia Commonwealth University’s ninth annual Student Research Weeks, April 5-26. Students enrolled in the university’s more than 200 degree programs will present their research to faculty and peers during symposiums and other campus events.

“VCU Research Weeks began in 2010 as a celebration of student research, both graduate and undergraduate, happening on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses,” said Herbert Hill, director of undergraduate research opportunities in the VCU Office of Research and Innovation. “At that time, we publicized a weeklong series of events. The fact that VCU Research Weeks is now plural in 2019, and occurs throughout the entire month of April, is a testament to our faculty and their commitment to mentoring our students in research and scholarship. 

“We are fortunate to be part of a research institution with a truly committed focus on student learning, and Research Weeks is a reflection of our commitment to that here at VCU.”

Research Weeks events are free and open to the public. Highlights this year include:

VCU REAL poster session

Friday April 5, 9-10:30 a.m., VCU Innovate Living-Learning Program, Rooms 1231-1232, 1010 W. Grace St.

VCU’s REAL Initiative will host this poster session for university departments to showcase their different experiential learning opportunities. The event will be exhibition-style, so visitors can come go as they please.

Women’s Health Research Day

Tuesday, April 9, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Larrick Student Center Court End Ballroom, 900 Turpin St.

Women’s Health Research Day is a celebration and promotion of research activities in women’s health at VCU. The program will include a plenary symposium, poster awards and a reception highlighting women’s health research by VCU faculty and students. For more information, visit the Women’s Health Research Day website or contact Benoit Meyrieux at meyrieuxb@vcu.edu.

Political Science Student Research Conference

Friday, April 19, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., University Student Commons, Richmond Salons, 907 Floyd Ave. 

Students will present completed research papers and projects, research in progress, and facilitate roundtable discussions on topics related to the fields of government, international studies and public affairs. Students from colleges and universities in and around Virginia, as well as overseas, will join the VCU community to present their work. For more information, contact Christopher Saladino at cjsaladino@vcu.edu.

Graduate Research Symposium and Exhibit

Tuesday, April 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., University Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballroom

This event, sponsored by the Graduate Student Association, is a forum for VCU graduate students from all disciplines and departments to present their work to faculty, staff, students and community members. Attendees and participants include VCU students and faculty, local media, legislators and members of the Richmond business community. For more information, visit the Graduate Research Symposium website.

Graduate Recruitment Fair

Tuesday, April 23, noon to 3 p.m., University Student Commons, Richmond Salons

Undergraduates from all disciplines are invited to this Office of Admissions event to learn about opportunities in graduate education at VCU and beyond. For more information, contact Troy Washington at ldwashi1@vcu.edu.

Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity

Wednesday, April 24, 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1-2:30 p.m., University Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballroom and James River Terrace

Organized by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, this annual symposium is an opportunity for students to present their research endeavors to their academic peers, VCU faculty, community members, friends and family. Projects include research and scholarly work from a range of academic disciplines. For more information, contact Herbert Hill at hhill@vcu.edu.

National Scholarship Office information sessions

Thursday, April 25, University Student Commons, Virginia Rooms C and D

The VCU National Scholarship Office will host a series of information sessions for students interested in the following programs:

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
12:30-2 p.m. 

Juniors and seniors who are planning to pursue graduate degrees in STEM fields — as well as first-year graduate students — are encouraged to attend this session on the application process for the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship.

Fulbright Scholarship
2-3 p.m.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides funding to study, conduct research or teach English in more than 140 nations around the globe. Fulbright grantees come from diverse fields and undertake projects that prepare them to play an influential role in today’s global society. 

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
3:30-4:30 p.m.

The Goldwater scholarship is provided to college students who intend to pursue research careers in science, math and engineering. Eligible sophomores and juniors are expected to write a research proposal in the discipline of their choice.

For more information about these programs and scholarships, contact the National Scholarship Office at honorsnso@vcu.edu.

College of Engineering Senior Design Expo

Friday, April 26, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St. 

The design expo allows undergraduate engineering students to share capstone senior projects and prototypes with the greater Richmond community. For more information, visit the design expo website.

School of Social Work Research Symposium

Friday April 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., University Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballroom 

Graduate and undergraduate students from the School of Social Work will present their research and scholarly projects. Students share their work in the form of research posters and oral presentations. For more information, contact Audrey Horner at ahorner@vcu.edu.