Nuclear Engineering graduate program ranked #21 - U.S. News & World Report
Focus on Research
From multi-scale manufacturing and design to micro/nanotechnology, and smart materials to biomechanics, faculty members excel in a wide range of research areas.
Teaching Facilities
Our dedicated teaching facilities educate, train and help students relate theory with practice through hands-on laboratory sessions.
Mechanical and nuclear engineering online master's degree program and the mechanical engineering graduate program are top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines and applies the principles of engineering, material science, physics and mathematics to design, analyze and manufacture mechanical systems such as vehicles, biomedical devices, consumer products, internal combustion engines and robotic systems — to name a few.
Nuclear engineering is a concentration focused on the study and application of the properties of atomic nuclei and their reactions in areas such as energy production, industrial quality control, medical diagnostics or cancer treatment.
Mechanical and nuclear engineering is the second largest department within VCU College of Engineering — offering a variety of degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Mechanical and nuclear engineering graduates are in constant demand and have among the highest starting salaries of all college majors.
Students within the department have access to the latest tools and technologies in our academic and research laboratories. Research opportunities are available to both our graduate and undergraduate students. Relevant areas of expertise are respiratory therapy, surface engineering, multi-scale manufacturing and design, energy generation and storage, micro/nanotechnology, thermal sciences, solid mechanics, smart materials and biomechanics.
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Recent News
Reactor simulator trains next generation of nuclear engineers at the VCU College of Engineering
“In the nuclear industry, simulators are a critical part of everyday work. Giving our students exposure to systems like the PWR simulator will give them an edge upon entering the workforce,” said James Miller.
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Outstanding innovation: Five questions with Georgios Karles, Ph.D.
In 2020, Karles received the Outstanding Innovator Award by the Virginia Section of the American Chemical Society for outstanding innovation and industrial leadership in technology.
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A love for science fiction and natural aptitude for math and science inspired Taylor Hendrick from a young age, eventually leading her to the VCU College of Engineering.
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The Dean’s Excellence Awards Program recognizes faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves in areas critical to advancing the mission and values of the VCU College of Engineering.
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VCU College of Engineering Dean Azim Eskandarian, DSc, elevated to IEEE fellow
This recognition results from Eskandarian's impactful contributions to autonomous vehicles and vehicle safety.
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Vulcanoff is among more than 60 students sharing their work at the VCU College of Engineering Research Showcase on April 10th.
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From nasal casts to emergency intubation, newly honored VCU innovators explore fresh frontiers
Five projects get Commercialization Fund awards from TechTransfer and Ventures, which helps campus inventions reach the marketplace.
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Ott continues at VCU, after receiving her undergraduate degree, to focus on musculoskeletal tissue engineering research.
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With this increased demand for IoT experience, the VCU College of Engineering formed the OpenCyberCity testbed in 2022. The 1:12 scale model city provides a realistic, small-scale cityscape where students and researchers can experiment with new and existing smart city technology.
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“This grant will give me the opportunity to jump-start my independent career and build a research program investigating how we can improve quality of life and mobility after debilitating musculoskeletal injuries,” Buettmann said.
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Finding nano: Creative coral conservation with nanotechnology
In her recent TEDx talk, Natassja Lewinski, Ph.D., explores the benefits and potential risks of using nanotechnology in safeguarding coral reefs.
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Chemistry, culture and conservation: Understanding STEM through the life cycle of an Italian fresco
High school students from Virginia Beach to Miami Beach are being introduced to STEM through history and heritage, thanks to a program originating from the VCU Chemical and Life Science Engineering Department.
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This comes just as the department added two new master’s concentrations in engineering management and aerospace engineering, both which can be completed online.
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“The principle behind us is that we bring transparency and democratic access to the datasets and training data that fuels AI systems,” said Andriy Mulyar, VCU Engineering alumnus and Forbes’ 30 under 30 recipient.
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VCU College of Engineering to offer six new master’s programs
The College of Engineering launches new master’s concentrations in aerospace engineering, engineering management, environmental and sustainable engineering, rehabilitation engineering, systems engineering, and tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
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VCU College of Engineering to offer six new minor programs
The College of Engineering launches new minors in artificial intelligence, aerospace engineering, nuclear engineering, software engineering, cybersecurity and data science.
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Nibir Dhar, Ph.D., professor of electrical and computer engineering, is developing a method for miniaturizing MWIR technology to make it more affordable and easily carried by soldiers, who most need the technology.
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VCU to expand GPU computing capacity thanks to National Science Foundation grant
Alberto Cano, Ph.D. receives $300,000 grant to purchase high-performance computing equipment.
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Professor of computer science Lukasz Kurgan inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology
Kurgan is a leader in the bioinformatics community who has developed popular bioinformatics tools and databases.
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Out of the 16 VCU Engineering students who attended the conference, four presented their research and two brought home awards.
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VCU student from Bangladesh embraces generational connections and the sacrifice of her family to pursue her education.
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This year, the Department of Defense awarded 50 minority-serving institutions nationwide, including Virginia Commonwealth University, over $60 million in funds toward defense priority areas.
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Bland was named Richmond Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2021 and Virginia Region I Teacher of the Year in 2022.
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Paths to engineering: Students shape their future by expanding academic focus.
For Connor Richeson, Benita Amouzou and Mary Fahiem, exploring their academic journey led to a greater understanding of both career goals and ultimate passion for engineering.
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Throughout this month-long educational initiative, students from VCU, the University of Richmond and Virginia Union University learned about cybersecurity and law enforcement from FBI field professionals.
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With VCU contributors watching, NASA spacecraft begins its journey to the center of a planet
Engineering students developed an imaging system that will help study an asteroid’s composition, which could offer insight into the Earth’s core.
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VCU wins inaugural Career Spark Award from national platform Handshake
Only 31 schools were cited in program that honors excellence in campus career centers.
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Working together for the future of engineering
Getting to know VCU Engineering Dean Azim Eskandarian, DSc, and his vision for engineering education.
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Nathaniel Kinsey, Ph.D., has been awarded a grant for his research into nanophotonics, the study of light with materials at the nanoscale.
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Department of Defense awards $9M to create research institute at the VCU College of Engineering
The Convergence Lab Initiative, a cross-disciplinary institute, will bring together scientists, engineers and technicians to solve pressing defense challenges for the U.S.
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VCU’s Cybersecurity Center to host the Richmond FBI’s Cyber Collegiate Academy
Over 300 students from Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, and Virginia State University applied for the academy, eager to gain in-depth knowledge about how the FBI catches cyber criminals.
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Mechanical and nuclear engineering professor receives $5 million Department of Energy grant
DOE’s RENEW initiative supports 40 minority-serving institutions to build a diverse STEM workforce.
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With the aid of the DoD’s SMART scholarship, Sean Godward is looking forward to creating positive change on both an individual and wide-reaching scale in chemical and life science engineering.
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VCU Engineering professor is shaping electronics design in inventive ways
From AI to implantable devices, Supriyo Bandyopadhyay pushes the limits at a small but powerful scale.
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Two renewed grants, which support undergraduate and graduate students in pursuing biomedical and behavioral research, highlight VCU’s national standing.
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Lane Carasik, Ph.D., is one of 93 researchers chosen nationwide and the first of VCU faculty to receive this prestigious award.
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VCU ranked among top 20 most innovative public universities in the U.S.
Additionally, VCU’s overall ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Colleges jumped 23 points over last year.
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Chemical and life science engineering senior, Gwendolyn Verity, spent the summer researching with NASA. Now, as she prepares for her senior year, she reflects on the program's commitment to breaking down gender barriers in STEM.
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Engineering foundation professor and director of nuclear engineering programs, Supathorn Phongikaroon, Ph.D., will bring together nuclear engineering faculty at VCU, VCU’s School of Business, VUU and VSU faculty members in Department of Energy-funded research project.
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Get to know Shawn Watson, one of the newest computer science students in the College of Engineering.
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The VCU College of Engineering hosts Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Day
Sponsored by the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Day brought together students, researchers, and industry partners interested in advancing the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
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VCU ranks in top 100 for patents
New ranking by the National Academy of Inventors is a reflection of VCU’s excellence in innovation and research.
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More than 40 Richmond-area middle and high school students learned the importance of cybersecurity at the VCU College of Engineering’s GenCyber Cybersecurity Summer Bootcamp.
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VCU researchers developing affordable, noninvasive treatment for RDS in newborns
Worth Longest and his team received a $3 million grant to create an aerosolized surfactant - a substance that lowers liquid surface tension - and a device to deliver it.
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Funded by the National Science Foundation, the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program gives students the opportunity to do industry standard research in their field of interest.
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Kothe, a recent recipient of the Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) scholarship, cites Annie Easley as inspiration for her hard work and success.
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Joseph Lee, a recipient of the Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) scholarship, wants to create things never seen before.
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Optical research illuminates a possible future for computing technology
Nathaniel Kinsey, Ph.D., seeks to understand the viability of building computer components using light instead of electrical signals.
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Students from high schools across the state put their Java and Python skills to the test at VCU, competing to win first place and prove their programming prowess.
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Ferri assumed the role of Chair-Elect June 1st, continuing the NIPTE’s mission to ensure the quality, safety, and accessibility of manufactured pharmaceuticals.
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Researchers Stephen Fong, Ph.D., and Damian Pitt, Ph.D., discuss how extreme weather threatens public health in Virginia and across the country, as well as strategies for mitigating climate change.
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VCU mechanical engineering undergrad follows an unexpected blueprint for summer
Alyssa Cadua contributes to a nuclear plant’s digitization project, with VCU’s Internship Funding Program helping her seize the opportunity.
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More than ever, startups at VCU are turning ideas into businesses
Where science meets commerce, TechTransfer and Ventures is helping inventors find an audience beyond campus.
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Recently, VCU Engineering, Alteryx and Bank of America teamed up to pave the way for approximately 45 high school students to take part in a virtual escape room as a part of the Supporting Tech Achievement for Richmond Students (STARS) Summer Challenge.
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Interdisciplinary study from VCU reveals health care costs of extreme heat
Physicians, earth scientists, staff and students collaborated to better understand the health impact of extremely hot days in Virginia and across the nation – and they estimate a toll of $1 billion per summer.
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Inayah O’Neil and the importance of empowering student success in STEM
Last summer, Richmond Community High School student Inayah O’Neil won best presentation during the ‘STARS’ Summer Challenge. This summer, not only is she a peer mentor for the program, but an incoming freshman with VCU’s College of Engineering.
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Engineering students from VCU’s Ram Rocketry student organization competed at Battle of the Rockets.
Students participated in the deployable payload sensor event, working together to design, engineer, code and launch a rocket.
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Health in History: VCU Expert Discusses Space Travel’s Effects on the Body
Henry Donahue, Ph.D., Alice T. and William H. Goodwin Jr. Endowed Professor and Chair in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the VCU College of Engineering, has worked with NASA since 2011 studying the health effects of space travel.
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VCU Cybersecurity Center leader Milos Manic honored by the National Academy of Inventors
Manic, a professor in the College of Engineering, is elected to the rank of senior member, recognizing his impact through AI-based projects.
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This summer, NASA brought its Student Airborne Research Program to the East Coast for the first time with the help of Virginia Commonwealth University faculty and the team at VCU’s Rice Rivers Center.
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VCU Nuclear Engineering program wins four awards at the American Nuclear Society conference
Twenty-seven students attended to present their work with four winning awards, three for best presentations and one for best paper.
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Mechanical engineering undergraduate applies his knowledge on the test track at BMW
Mustafa Tewfig’s paid co-op with BMW provided valuable professional experience and networking opportunities.
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Virtual reality surgical simulator with haptic feedback helps surgeons hone their skills
VCU Engineering researchers collaborate with VCU Health to develop and commercialize new technology.
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Kurgan's research aims to improve understanding of life at the molecular level using computer-based modeling.
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Researchers seek to apply nanoparticle drug delivery to coral wound healing
Nastassja Lewinski, Ph.D., hopes newly-engineered technology can help aquatic industries support sustainability of coral ecosystems.
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Albuterol shortage sparks VCU study on continuous manufacturing process
VCU Chemical and Life Science Engineering undergraduate Justin Turnage is amongst a team of students working alongside James Ferri, Ph.D., to identify a more efficient, cost-effective way to produce the common generic drug.
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Complimentary work that earned her a Faculty Early Development Award from the National Science Foundation, Hwang and her fellow researchers are examining cancer cell reactions that lead to metastasis.
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Eskandarian named dean of the VCU College of Engineering
Azim Eskandarian, D.Sc., has been named Alice T. and William H. Goodwin Jr. Dean of the VCU College of Engineering, effective Aug. 1.
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VCU Engineering faculty receive promotions and tenure
Congratulations to our recently-promoted VCU Engineering faculty! These advancements reflect their outstanding dedication and accomplishments.
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Graduate students awarded top honors from VCU Engineering for service, teaching and research
Graduate students are integral to VCU Engineering. They advance the College’s research objectives while also helping to educate our undergraduate students.
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Students from the VCU Engineering chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) recently won first place in ASME’s Innovative Additive Manufacturing 3D (IAM3D) challenge.
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Medicines for All awarded $18.7 million to increase global access to lifesaving medications
After a decade of providing global cost-saving processes for medications, the Central Virginia institute looks ahead to growing engagement with partners within each disease ecosystem.
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Students present innovative research and prototypes at VCU College of Engineering design expo
The annual event represents the culmination of the graduating class’s education and offers design teams the opportunity to display and demonstrate their working prototypes to the Greater Richmond community.
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Martin is a distinguished VCU alumnus, successful business executive and a respected thought leader in innovation and technology.
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“The unstoppable knowledge creation and the transformative innovation being carried out here is felt locally, nationally and globally,” said P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation.
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Wright Engineering Access Scholarship Profile: Enes Kalinsazlioglu
A Wright Engineering Access Scholarship recipient, the award helps Kalinsazlioglu overcome financial hardship, allowing him to focus on building a strong foundation in the core concepts of computer science.
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Class of 2023: From the Fed to SpaceX, Tara Ram Mohan seeks ways of making an impact
Ram Mohan served four internships while at VCU, including one on the Starlink project that led to a full-time job after graduation.
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Graduate programs from all departments place in U.S. News and World Report listings
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Class of 2023: Sierra Tutwiler puts her energy into energy
First-generation college grad, a double major in physics and mechanical engineering, directs her passion for science and research into power.
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With a hint of ‘Spider-Man,’ VCU engineering senior looks to build a better tiny scaffold
Caleb Wells is testing biodegradable polymer scaffolds that can help in engineered tissue vascular grafts for coronary artery bypass surgery.
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As a Goldwater Scholar, biology researcher and Richmond native Gabriella Daire pursues her interest in space medicine.
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Four VCU students, three alumni selected for prestigious NSF grant
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program provides three years of financial support to help exceptional graduate students advance their studies in STEM-based disciplines.
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Lopez, who is graduating from the College of Engineering with a degree in biomedical engineering, will next pursue his Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University.
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Two VCU faculty ranked among 2022’s top female scientists in nation and world
Sarah Spiegel and Barbara Boyan were recognized by Research.com for their groundbreaking research impact.
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Christina Tang, Ph.D., associate professor of chemical and life science engineering, encourages students to get involved early in their academic careers.
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Researchers fight cybercrime with new digital forensic tools and techniques
Irfan Ahmed, Ph.D., leads computer scientists working to protect nuclear plants, dams and other critical infrastructure.
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Virtual VCU worlds used to train, teach and treat in the real one
How researchers and faculty are building virtual reality applications to face society’s grand challenges.
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Lane Carasik, Ph.D., mechanical and nuclear engineering assistant professor, recently received the Social Responsibility in the Nuclear Community Award from the American Nuclear Society (ANS). He was co-awarded the honor with Kalin Kiesling, Ph.D., from Argonne National Laboratory, and Lisa Marshall, from NC State University.
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Beating the heat with Engineering students’ robotic gripper
The team’s invention was one of the finalists in the 2022 Collegiate Inventors Competition, which notes the gripper is designed to lower production time while reducing the cost of the part- making process.
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Drug delivery, new therapies, AI, VR: Array of VCU inventors receive Commercialization Fund awards
A Virginia Commonwealth University pharmacy professor and his team have repurposed a long-approved drug that could soon be used to treat eye disorders such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
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Man and machine: Bridging the gap through dance
An arts and engineering team is exploring the potential relationship between robotics and dance.
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University developing resources for using artificial intelligence technology in the academic setting. “It’s going to change every aspect of the university,” one panelist said.
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U.S. News and World Report ranks VCU Engineering online graduate program among best in nation
VCU Engineering’s online masters in mechanical and nuclear engineering has been ranked in the nation’s top 50% by U.S. News and World Report.
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Researchers use computer models and simulations to predict satellite resilience
Computational physics provides foundation for little-understood physical state generated by nuclear detonation in space.
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Provost reflects on career journey in light of prestigious engineering award
Fotis Sotiropoulos said “never in his wildest dreams” did he think he would one day win the Fluids Engineering Award, joining researchers he idolized.
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As we welcome 2023, let’s look back at some of the most impactful stories of 2022.
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Alberto Cano, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science, worked with the appliance manufacturer to develop and implement a business intelligence service on the Microsoft Azure cloud. The software helps Hamilton Beach monitor product sales on the web.
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Class of 2022: Dhruv Fomra thrived in rich research environment at VCU
Dhruv Fomra traveled to the U.S. from his native India to earn his doctorate in electrical and computer engineering.
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Researcher awarded two NSF grants for research involving quantum computing, magnetic memory devices
Funding will bolster research on spin-based scalable quantum computers and energy-efficient magnetic memory devices.
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Radhika Barua, Ph.D. and fellow VCU professors Afroditi Filippas, Ph.D., and Everett Carpenter, Ph.D., are part of a team of VCU researchers working to create new types of magnets.
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A study from Elsevier BV, based at Stanford University, finds that 17 VCU College of Engineering professors are in the world’s top 2% of most-cited researchers in 2022.
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Faculty members named to endowed chair positions for 2022
Congratulations to three faculty members who have been named as endowed chairs.
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Researcher to build fuel database to improve nuclear reactor sustainability
Braden Goddard, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) to create a database for use in nuclear material control of pebble bed reactors (PBR).
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Senior mechanical engineering student Noah Armistead is on a mission to build an exact replica of the 8-cylinder engine found in a Ferrari 158. The only difference? His is made entirely of LEGOs.
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New awards enable biomedical engineering faculty to further research objectives
Research faculty from VCU Engineering’s Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) are diligently working to advance their investigations with support from research grants and collaborations with the private sector.
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Phantoms on the Brain: VCU startup creates devices for treating neuro disorders
VCU Innovation Gateway helped Dr. Ravi Hadimani and researchers of his Biomagnetics Laboratory secure a patent for their anatomically accurate human “brain phantoms.”
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Physical models of a patient’s brain help researchers treat neurological disorders and diseases
Ravi Hadimani, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering, leads a team of researchers who seek to use TMS to excite or inhibit brain neurons to alter specific brain functions and treat these conditions.
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This summer, several students took part in VCU Engineering’s National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) curriculum.
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Student wins award for nuclear reactor safety research
Caleb King, a third-year student in the College of Engineering, is studying accident tolerant fuels as part of research to help contain or stop a full nuclear reactor meltdown.
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Researchers explore alternate delivery method for potential Alzheimer’s treatment
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Engineering and School of Pharmacy are working toward a proof of concept for a nose-to-brain delivery system of insulin to treat Alzheimer’s patients.
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VCU Engineering students to benefit from newly endowed scholarship
After years of working together to create internships and a scholarship for Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Engineering students, the 7x24 Exchange’s Central Virginia Chapter recently deepened its relationship with the College of Engineering by creating the 7x24 Central Virginia Scholarship, an endowed scholarship to benefit students in perpetuity.
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‘GenCyber’ bootcamp aimed at building next generation of cybersecurity pros
Hosted by the VCU College of Engineering and Cybersecurity Center, the week-long bootcamp welcomed middle and high school students from across Richmond at no cost to participants.
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Two summer camps created by the VCU College of Engineering outreach program gave Richmond City students the opportunity to engage in hands-on, community-focused STEM learning during the summer months.
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Alliance for Building Better Medicine, a coalition of public and private sector stakeholders in the Richmond-Petersburg region, and Governor Glenn Youngkin yesterday honored National Essential Medicine Shortage Awareness Day by announcing $111 Million has been invested by federal, state, local, and private supporters over the past three months to accelerate the development of the advanced pharmaceutical and manufacturing cluster emerging in Central Virginia.
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Virginia Commonwealth University, will receive nearly $53 million as one of 21 winners of the national Build Back Better Regional Challenge.
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Richmond-Petersburg region is a winner of the national Build Back Better Regional Challenge
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced that public and private sector stakeholders in the Richmond-Petersburg region, working together as the Alliance for Building Better Medicine, will receive $52,942,702 as a winner of the national Build Back Better Regional Challenge.
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Research office creates new institutes, centers to enrich VCU innovation, scholarship and creativity
As Virginia Commonwealth University rises to meet societal challenges, new research centers selected for their transdisciplinary nature are expanding a campus environment rich in research, scholarship and creativity.
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Bank of America Digital ID project interns apply engineering expertise to real-world challenges
Student interns have an opportunity to work with Bank of America to help create a mobile application offering financial education and career planning tools specifically for college students.
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VCU Engineering welcomes new faculty
Five new faculty members join the VCU College of Engineering this year. They bring expertise in software development and engineering, biomanufacturing nanomaterials, bone health and more, along with interesting side hobbies. Meet our newest faculty members.
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Research team aims to enhance security of medical devices
A team of Virginia Commonwealth University researchers has received support from the National Science Foundation for a project that aims to increase the security of internet-connected medical devices.
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Illuminating data: VCU Engineering students learn how photonics make data centers possible
Each year, Nathaniel Kinsey, Ph.D. supports the event through Fiber Friday, a lecture series and discussion about optics, photonics and the roles they play within a data center.
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Dean’s Early Research Initiative Develops Next Generation of Engineers
Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows also have an opportunity to develop their mentorship skills by serving as advisors to help these high school juniors develop as engineers throughout their senior year.
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NIH awards $3M to VCU to develop researchers in women’s health
The prestigious grant to the VCU Institute for Women’s Health will build on VCU’s national reputation as a leader in women’s health.
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Engineering student is gaining real-world experience through a SMART scholarship
Sekai Clayton, a rising senior, is serving a summer internship with the Department of Defense.
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Two new VCU Engineering students named DoD SMART scholars
Several students at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Engineering have received this prestigious distinction, including Madeline Bataille and Tristan Norrgard.
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Identifying first signs of heart vessel changes in young breast cancer patients receiving estrogen-deprivation therapy may lead to strategies to prevent heart disease risk.
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VCU Engineering welcomes Interim Dean Gary C. Tepper, Ph.D.
As of July 1, 2022, Gary C. Tepper, Ph.D. assumes the role of interim dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering. He succeeds former dean Barbara D. Boyan, Ph.D., who has been named executive director of the VCU College of Engineering’s Institute for Engineering and Medicine.
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Jennifer Rivers named assistant dean of student affairs
Rivers will work closely with student services, career services and the academic departments to implement policies, programming, events and services that support student needs, their academic success and retention.
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VCU receives $1 million grant to increase minority Ph.D. STEM students
The funding is designed to guide students through the early years of a doctoral program when many drop out.
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Faculty members receive promotions and tenure 2022
Please join us in congratulating faculty members who have received academic promotions and/or tenure.
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Innovation Gateway supports six new projects with the Commercialization Fund
Funding helps VCU faculty innovators move their research closer to the marketplace.
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Additional financial aid, new buildings, cancer research funding and more
Newly approved two-year state budget provides VCU with a ‘historic level of funding.’
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Supporting the next generation of chemical engineers at the VCU College of Engineering
A specialized engineering course taught by water treatment experts.
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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.
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Now building an app for her nonprofit, Erika Misseri credits a VCU course that ‘changed her life’ for encouraging her to pursue research
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Nuclear Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University
Nuclear engineering at the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering is a landmark program for the state, region and nation.
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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.
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VCU College of Engineering programs rising in rankings
Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering graduate programs among top ranked.
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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.
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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
Upcoming Events
Apr
19
AAAC Reunion Weekend - Engineering and Business Alumni Reception
4:30 AM Snead Hall, 301 W. Main St., Richmond
04/19/2024 04:30:00 EDT
Apr
24
BME Seminar with Kelsey Collins, Ph.D.
12:00 PM Engineering Research Building, Room 1313
04/24/2024 12:00:46 EDT
Apr
17
BME Seminar with Landon Lempke, Ph.D.
12:00 PM Engineering Research Building, Room 1313
04/17/2024 12:00:00 EDT
Apr
16
Dissertation Defense with Austin Gouldin
9:00 AM Engineering West Hall, Room 105
04/16/2024 09:00:00 EDT
Apr
29
Dissertation Defense with Jianping Chen
1:00 PM Engineering Research Building
04/29/2024 13:00:30 EDT
Apr
19
Dissertation Defense with Md Ataul Mamun
4:00 PM Engineering West Hall, Room 106
04/19/2024 16:00:08 EDT
Apr
25
Dissertation Defense with Michael Sofroniou
11:30 AM Engineering Research Building, Room 1313
04/25/2024 11:30:00 EDT
Jun
24
Dissertation Defense with Steven Meas
1:00 PM Engineering Research Building, Room 1313
06/24/2024 13:00:32 EDT
Apr
19
High School Programming Contest
9:00 AM Engineering East Hall
04/19/2024 09:00:44 EDT
May
1
Multicultural Food Truck Festival
11:00 AM Engineering West Hall, Courtyard
05/01/2024 11:00:10 EDT
Apr
23
Proposal Defense with Peggy Milota
12:00 PM Engineering Research Building, Room 4303
04/23/2024 12:00:59 EDT
Apr
17
11:45 AM Engineering West Hall, Lobby
04/17/2024 11:45:00 EDT
Apr
28
7:00 PM Engineering East Hall
04/28/2024 19:00:56 EDT
Apr
23
Thesis Defense with Ashton Bressler
2:00 PM Engineering Research Building, Room 3317
04/23/2024 14:00:40 EDT
May
16
Thesis Defense with Caleb Wells
2:00 PM Engineering Research Building, Room 4303
05/16/2024 14:00:46 EDT
May
6
Thesis Defense with Charles Cutler
1:00 PM Engineering Research Building, Room 1313
05/06/2024 13:00:45 EDT
May
3
Thesis Defense with Raahi Patel
2:00 PM Engineering Research Building, Room 1313
05/03/2024 14:00:49 EDT