VCU Life Sciences and Sustainability

Save the Date!

Your stage awaits at SLSS Quad Fest! Join us Wednesday, September 2, from 1–4 PM in the Trani Life Sciences Courtyard.

Meet faculty and advisors, connect with student organizations, explore student research, enjoy hands-on activities, lawn games and more!

📅 September 2, 1–4 PM
📍 Trani Life Sciences Courtyard, 1000 W. Cary St.

From VCU to NASA. 🚀

Environmental Studies student Cree Taylor spent her summer participating in NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program, where she flew on research missions, learned Python and conducted research on how GPS satellites can help map flooding.

The experience helped Cree find a stronger sense of direction for her research interests and sparked her interest in pursuing graduate study in environmental science, all while staying true to her love of “dabbling” in new opportunities.

Read more about Cree’s summer with NASA and her journey as an Environmental Studies student:

NASA summer program helped Cree Taylor soar – and land on her academic focus The agency’s Student Airborne Research Program encouraged the self-identified ‘dabbler’ to home in on research with a personal connection.

The James River is one of Virginia's most valuable natural resources, and researchers in VCU's School of Life Sciences and Sustainability are helping ensure its long-term health.

Faculty and researchers from the Bukaveckas Lab and Franklin Lab have received continued support through a $1 million grant from the City of Richmond to carry out weekly water quality monitoring across the James River. Their collaborative research tracks bacteria, nutrients, water clarity, and other key indicators that help scientists and local leaders better understand the river's health and make informed environmental decisions.

We're proud to see the impactful work of both research groups recognized and supported as they continue protecting the James River and advancing environmental science.

Read more about the project:

Here’s how one VCU lab keeps watch over the James River - VCU News - Visual Stories It’s a short boat ride from the VCU Rice Rivers Center dock to the middle of the James River, just past the Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge in Charles City County. On a muggy day in June, Paul Bukaveckas and Mac Lee set out with oxygen meters, salinity probes and other scientific instruments, he...

From the James River to the mountains of Pennsylvania, SLSS student Mary Carson is turning her passion for birds into impactful conservation research.

A double major in Biology and Environmental Studies, Mary is spending her summer at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary studying American kestrels as part of her internship while completing research that contributes to both her undergraduate work and accelerated master's program.

Her journey highlights the incredible hands-on research, mentorship, and internship opportunities available to VCU students—and how those experiences can lead to meaningful contributions to wildlife conservation.

Read Mary's story:

Internship amid falcons takes Mary Carson’s research to new heights Working at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania is a natural fit for the biology and environmental studies major who is part of VCU’s Avian Ecology Lab.

Internships are more than just a resume builder. They provide an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, explore career paths, and develop the professional skills needed for future success.

At the VCU School of Life Sciences and Sustainability, we are committed to supporting students throughout the internship process by offering internship opportunities, academic credit, funding resources, and personalized guidance every step of the way.

Whether you are just beginning your internship search or have already secured an opportunity, we are here to help you maximize the value of your experience.

To learn more, connect with your academic advisor or the Internship Coordinator, Dr. Courtney Hope.

Congratulations to all of the VCU students and recent alumni recognized by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program for 2026! This prestigious honor reflects their outstanding research achievements and the dedication of the faculty and mentors who have supported their success.

We are especially proud to celebrate two members of the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability community:

Jennoa Fleming (Environmental Studies '24), who was recognized as an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention, and

Alyssa Spasic (Biology '23), who also earned Honorable Mention recognition.

Their accomplishments exemplify the impact of undergraduate research and the bright future of STEM innovation.

Please join us in congratulating all of this year's recipients and honorable mentions!

Read the full story:

Four VCU students and recent alums earn prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships for 2026 The five-year awards will propel their studies in STEM-based disciplines.

From VCU classrooms to humanitarian work around the world.

SLSS alum Isra'a Nour (B.S. '15) is making a difference through her work advancing human rights, equity, and justice. Read about how her journey at VCU helped shape a career dedicated to creating positive change.

Read her story:

Anthropology and biology major manages humanitarian work at home and abroad - School of Life Sciences and Sustainability - Virginia Commonwealth University Anthropology and biology major manages humanitarian work at home and abroad June 29, 2026Author: Nathan Heintschel (B.A.’14)Isra’a Nour (B.S.’15) serves as a project manager at Open Society Foundations, a nonprofit organization focused on human rights, equity, and justice, where she supports a...

Congratulations to VCU Biology alum Sara Khraibut on this incredible milestone!

After earning her B.S. in Biology from VCU, followed by her D.D.S. and periodontics residency, Sara is returning to Kuwait to begin the next chapter of her career as a periodontist. We're proud to see our alumni making an impact around the world.

Congratulations, Sara, and best wishes on your continued success!

Read her inspiring story on VCU News:

Periodontist Sara Khraibut returns to Kuwait after 11 years, 2 degrees and 1 residency at VCU Khraibut, who will work for the Ministry of Health in her home country, said VCU has ‘helped shape me into the person I am today.’

Big news for sustainability at VCU!

Congratulations to SLSS Assistant Professor John C. Jones and the incredible team of VCU faculty, staff and students who have been awarded a $1.04 million grant from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to help reduce food waste, expand food rescue efforts and increase composting across VCU and VCU Health.

This collaborative initiative will help advance VCU's goal of becoming a zero-waste campus while creating meaningful opportunities for student engagement, research and real-world impact.

Read more about this exciting initiative and the work being led by Dr. Jones and the SLSS community: https://news.vcu.edu/article/new-initiative-to-reduce-food-waste-increase-composting-at-vcu-and-vcu-health

Photo by Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications.

New initiative to reduce food waste, increase composting at VCU and VCU Health The Food Rescue and Composting initiative aims to reduce an estimated more than 120,000 pounds of food waste.