News

Alumni Stars honorees are selected through faculty recommendations and alumni committees from across the university. Recipients will be honored Nov. 7 at the Dewey Gottwald Center at the Science Museum of Virginia. (Courtesy image)

VCU to celebrate 17 notable alumni at biennial Alumni Stars event

Oct. 29, 2019

National Teacher of the Year Rodney Robinson among recipients who will be honored Nov. 7 at the Science Museum of Virginia.

Ron Lopez (M.S.’17/LS) takes a measurement near the Rice Rivers Center. He’s working on a long-term study of water levels and sedimentation rates in the area. (Photo courtesy of Ron Lopez)

‘If I wasn’t making films about science, I wouldn’t want to be making films’

July 22, 2019

Alumnus, researcher and award-winning videographer Ron Lopez has forged a unique career balancing art and science.

Discovered by a Rice Rivers Center researcher while trawling the James River, the five-foot-long 19th century anchor will go on display overlooking the river. (Photo by Brian McNeill)

VCU researcher discovers 19th-century anchor while hunting for juvenile sturgeon

Feb. 27, 2019

Discovery of the artifact in the James River comes as the Rice Rivers Center is preparing to teach an archaeology class that will explore the history of the site.

Sturgeon born in mid-September found during an Oct. 31 trawling survey by Rice Rivers Center researchers. (Photo courtesy of VCU Rice Rivers Center)

Discovery of baby sturgeon in the James River marks potential milestone for restoration efforts

Nov. 7, 2018

For the past eight years, Matt Balazik, Ph.D., and other researchers from the Rice Rivers Center at Virginia Commonwealth University have conducted trawl surveys in the James River in hopes of finding Atlantic sturgeon, the once-plentiful ancient fish that was listed as an endangered species in 2012.

The 14,000-square-foot research laboratory complex at the Rice Rivers Center will bolster river-related research and provide needed laboratory and office space.

VCU Rice Rivers Center completes fundraising campaign for new research laboratory complex

July 26, 2018

The VCU Rice Rivers Center has completed a fundraising campaign that will finance nearly all construction of a $7 million research facility meant to bolster river-related research and the training of environmental scientists.

The partnership with Toadfish Outfitters will allow VCU to plant more than 2 million oysters in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. (Photo courtesy of Rice Rivers Center)

VCU receives funding for oyster restoration work

June 8, 2018

Coastal lifestyle brand Toadfish Outfitters to donate all proceeds of its Virginia sales.

Katie Schmidt guides kayakers over Hollywood Rapids on the James River. (Photo courtesy of Katie Schmidt)

Love of the wild: Graduate student blends adventure and science through outdoor recreation programs

April 24, 2018

Katherine Schmidt, a graduate student in Virginia Commonwealth University’s environmental studies program and a wilderness guide, is bringing her zeal for science, adventure and education to VCU-led outreach for the public, college students and school age youth.