Student Issue for August 11, 2026
Today
RVA Street Singers
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A, will host the RVA Street Singers, a group that meets to build community through song. The group shares lunch and converation, rehearses and performs.
For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.
Community Chat and Chew
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A, for food, conversation and community resources that promote resilience, mental wellness and stronger connections for individuals and families.
For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.
Breaking News – Updates From Cancer Researchers
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Join Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center to welcome Chidinma Ibe, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, to share her research via Zoom on the involvement of community members in the research process. She will share how she has partnered with community to create a tool to help monitor and evaluate community engagement in research. This session is geared for those who want to learn more about community engagement in research, become more involved in the research process and are interested in learning more about the scientific discoveries that are changing how groups work together to imagine a future without cancer. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Katelyn Schifano at engagemassey@vcu.edu or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/T43ciYKZQUGFAtgN9dn3MA.
This week
Forget Me Knot Café
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A, will host an active learning and support program for people living with dementia and their care partners.
For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.
Wednesday Walks
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join the Health Hub on weekly walks around Church Hill. All walks will start and end at the VCU Health Hub at 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A.
For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.
Top Hat Training Sessions
Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 at 3 p.m.
Top Hat will host a new webinar for instructors via Zoom. Discover how to leverage the new Ace AI tool intentionally to personalize learning, generate interactive content in seconds and streamline your workflow both inside and outside the classroom. For more details and additional Top Hat training session information, please visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/classroomtechnology/2026/07/30/whats-new-with-top-hat-elevating-engagement-and-efficiency-with-ai. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact VCU Instructional Computing Services at tophat@vcu.edu or visit https://tophat.zoom.us/meeting/register/8BhkSY6xSIKi3b1dd7aoug#/registration.
Coming up
Epi Forum Seminar Series To Kick Off Aug. 18
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026 at noon
VCU's Department of Epidemiology will host the Fall 2026 Epi Forum Seminar Series. This year's theme highlights epidemiology as an interdisciplinary field, showcasing the breadth of its faculty’s research. Through these presentations, the department seeks to discover opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and foster meaningful connections within and beyond the department. The session will be at One Capitol Square, Room 644, 830 E. Main St. Refreshments will be provided. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Maggie Christ at christmm@vcu.edu or visit https://epidemiology.vcu.edu/seminar/.
Central Va. SOCRA Chapter Meeting: Monitoring – Oversight With Impact
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026 from 11 a.m. to noon
The Central Virginia Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) Chapter and VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Regional Center for Clinical and Translational Research will host a virtual meeting via Zoom. Laura Adkins (MAP, CCRP, CCRA, AdvCRS), Director of Research Regulatory Affairs at the University of Arkansas, will lead a discussion about best practices for monitoring clinical research studies. CE will be provided to SOCRA members. All are welcome. Registration is required. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Shirley Helm at shelm@vcu.edu or (804) 241-7340 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/KysY7UXjSpCUEjhrLrVg2w.
Notices
AirGas USA E-Catalog User Training
VCU Procurement Services announces that beginning Friday, Aug. 15, VCU departments will be able to purchase industrial, medical and specialty gases, laboratory and safety products, welding supplies and related items through the new Airgas eCatalog in RealSource. Airgas will offer two virtual training sessions covering catalog navigation, account selection, quotes and order placement. Date and time: Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 3 p.m. Registration: https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/cZqhWAKgQnKurqzbzjvvqg Date and time: Thursday, Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. Registration: https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/hB7DwwdoQ5ay-8XLULCQWA
For more information, contact Abigail Zaremba at apzaremba@vcu.edu.
Still Serving Through Science: Join VCU’s HERO Concussion Study
If you have worn the uniform and now call VCU home, this is for you. Whether you are student, faculty or staff, we want you to be a part of the HERO Study – a clinical trial funded by the Department of Defense. We are studying a noninvasive technique that may help people with a history of concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) who still suffer from lingering effects. Be part of a federally funded initiative to transform care for military service personnel. Get financial compensation for your time and commitment. Your best interests will be at the forefront of all study obligations, including flexible scheduling and confidential participation. Help shape the future of brain health - for yourself and for others. See if you qualify at the following URL.
For more information, contact HERO Study at herostudy@vcu.edu or (804) 827-9692 or visit http://hero-study.org.
Ankle Sprain Research Study (Ages 14–30)
The Research in Athlete and Military Health Sciences (RAMHS) group is seeking participants ages 14-30 years to complete a research study assessing hip muscle function following ankle sprains. You may participate if you either have a first-time lateral ankle sprain or have no ankle sprain history and are healthy (control group). This study will require one in-person study visit at our research laboratory at Biotech Eight (737 N. Fifth St.), an electronic questionnaire about your health and sport participation, ultrasound imaging assessments of your hip at rest (lying down) and during light activity (squatting, treadmill walking) and hip muscle strength assessments. Participants with ankle sprains will also be asked to complete remote, electronic surveys at three and six months after the in-person visit. Questions: Contact Crystal Figueroa at the following URL.
For more information, contact crystal figueroa at crystal.figueroa@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-0871.
Concussion Research Study
Recruiting adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 who have 1) never had a diagnosed concussion OR 2) sustained a concussion within the last 14 days. This noninvasive study is investigating the acoustic startle reflex and acoustic startle potentiation in relationship to subsequent injury following concussion. Participants will be compensated for their time. See the interest form at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jessie Oldham at oldhamjr@vcu.edu or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=YKDWLNYWDNK7M7KX.
Paid Ultrasound Models Needed for Neurovascular Ultrasound Course
The Neurology Continuing Education team is seeking eight to 10 adults to serve as patient models during the VCU Neurovascular Ultrasound Course hands-on laboratories. Models are needed the for following dates and times: Saturday, Sept. 19: 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Compensation: $25 per hour. Models will receive noninvasive transcranial Doppler and carotid ultrasound examinations. Regular breaks will be provided.
For more information, contact Briana Garnett at briana.garnette@vcuhealth.org or visit https://neurology.vcu.edu/education/cpe/.
Participants Are Invited For Study Examining the Impact of Cold Water Immersion on Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 years who have GAD or symptoms of GAD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of cold water immersion on GAD symptoms with specific focus on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principle Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.
For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.
Participants Are Invited For Study Examining the Impact of Heat Therapy on Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 years who have PTSD or symptoms of PTSD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of heat therapy (infrared sauna) on PTSD symptoms with specific focus on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principle Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.
For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.
Other resources
VCU Libraries workshops
See a schedule of workshops and classes that teach how to use collections and databases.
LinkedIn Learning @ VCU
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RamsConnect events
View all of the student events happening on campus and register for events that interest you.