News

Rachael Moffatt, a senior environmental studies major, is the James River Association’s water quality intern this summer, helping to oversee 66 volunteers who collect and upload samples each week. (Courtesy photo)

How much E.coli is in the James River? Just ask this VCU environmental studies major.

Aug. 2, 2018

When swimmers, boaters or fisherman want to know the E.coli levels of the James River, they check the James River Association’s James River Watch website, which provides river condition data collected by volunteers on water temperature, turbidity, river height and bacteria.

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.

Top row: Seamus McDaniel and Jillian Allen. Bottom row: Sneha Krish and Catherine McGuigan.

Of two minds: VCU students share their experience as double majors

April 26, 2018

When it comes to choosing a major, many Virginia Commonwealth University undergraduates decide that two is better than one.

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.

Megan Mair.

Infection detection: VCU student researcher is using the latest DNA sequencing technologies to pinpoint a malaria parasite

April 12, 2018

A Virginia Commonwealth University student researcher is perfecting methods of detecting a malaria parasite in mosquitoes in the Brazilian Amazon.

#ThisIsMyReal takeover participants, left to right : Roxanne Jassawalla, Marshall Roach, Fajir Amin and Wrigley.

#ThisIsMyReal: VCU's Instagram takeover account lets followers experience the university from many perspectives

March 22, 2018

With more than 30,000 students, 188,000 alumni and 22,000 faculty and staff, Virginia Commonwealth University has no shortage of people with stories to tell. VCU’s #ThisIsMyReal Instagram account helps share those stories, one week at a time.

A still of an oyster harvester in the short documentary film “An Oyster’s-Eye View of the Virginia Oyster Shell Recycling Program" by Ronaldo Lopez.
Photo courtesy of Ronaldo Lopez

VCU Rice Rivers Center documentary wins prize at RVA Environmental Film Festival

Feb. 7, 2018

A short documentary by a VCU Life Sciences faculty member is the winning entry for local environmental subjects at the annual RVA Environmental Film Festival.

Blue Sky Fund Students prepare chocolate pancakes during a camping trip in October at the Rice Rivers Center. Blue Sky Fund and Rice Rivers Center have collaborated to help Richmond's youth explore the outdoors and learn environmental science. Contributed photos courtesy Blue Sky Fund

Students in Richmond Public Schools experience the outdoors through Rice Rivers Center partnership with local nonprofit

Feb. 1, 2018

Many adolescents who have spent their lives in Richmond’s high-poverty areas are not able to explore the natural wonders this river city and surrounding areas have to offer. Lack of transportation, money and time are the main barriers of access to the natural world for low-income families.