VCU Life Sciences and Sustainability

VCU professor Peter Uetz, Ph.D., was one of the dedicated notable contributors featured in the recent annual report from the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that hosts Wikipedia.

Uetz is an associate professor of systems biology in VCU Life Sciences and Sustainability, part of the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences. Since the creation of his Wikipedia account in 2007, he has made more than 6,000 edits – enough to put him in the top 0.1% of users. His work ranges from making small edits to developing entire pages, many of them related to his research interests: genes, proteins and reptiles, including the Reptile Database, which he founded as a graduate student in 1995 and which provides a catalog of more than 12,000 species of living reptiles.

Read more: https://news.vcu.edu/article/this-vcu-professors-extracurricular-gig-wikipedia-editor

When Sakethram Ramakrishnan was just six years old, he would pretend to be his grandfather's doctor, helping him take his medication while carrying a toy stethoscope. Today, that childhood experience has grown into a passion for genetics, bioinformatics, healthcare policy, and improving access to medicine for underserved communities.

As a first-year student at the VCU School of Life Sciences and Sustainability, Saketh is already conducting computational genetics research, volunteering in Richmond clinics, and exploring how science and policy can work together to create more equitable healthcare solutions.

Read more about Saketh's inspiring journey and vision for the future of medicine:

Driven by Purpose: How One VCU Student Is Bridging Science and Healthcare Access - School of Life Sciences and Sustainability - Virginia Commonwealth University Driven by Purpose: How One VCU Student Is Bridging Science and Healthcare AccessJune 2, 2026Author: Joe EllisInspired by personal experience and a passion for equity, Sakethram Ramakrishnan is pursuing research, medicine and policy to ensure innovation reaches those who need it most.At just 19 years...

How do forests recover after a major hurricane?

New research from SLSS Biology Professor Catherine Hulshof examines how Puerto Rico’s forests responded following Hurricane Maria, revealing surprising findings about ecosystem resilience and recovery. The findings reveal surprising patterns of forest recovery and provide new insight into how ecosystems may respond to future climate challenges.

Read the full story:

Puerto Rico’s forests recovered in unexpected ways post-Hurricane Maria, VCU research finds Biology professor Catherine Hulshof studies extreme environments, like Puerto Rico’s forests, to find out how they may react as the climate changes.

One year down — and we’re just getting started.

From hands-on learning and field research to innovative labs, dedicated faculty, and endless opportunities for students to grow, the VCU School of Life Sciences and Sustainability is building something truly exciting.

Whether your passion is biology, environmental studies, bioinformatics, sustainability or beyond, SLSS is a place where curiosity leads to impact.

Swipe through to learn more about who we are, what we offer and why SLSS could be the right fit for you.

And this is only the beginning
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting each of our programs and sharing even more about what makes our school special.

“Is it safe to swim in the James?”

SLSS alum Tom Dunlap ’11, M.S. ’14 says the answer is usually yes, with some important caveats.

Now serving as the James River Keeper at the James River Association, Tom recently shared insights with Style Weekly on water quality, river safety and the decades of restoration work that have helped make the James one of Richmond’s greatest assets.

From his time studying environmental studies and biology at VCU to protecting the James today, Tom’s work reflects the impact of science, sustainability and community engagement in action.

Read the full article from Style Weekly:

Is it safe to swim in the James? The short answer: yes. The longer answer: It depends.

We’re proud to highlight Ed Acevedo, Senior Associate Director of the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability and Professor of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at VCU, who was recently featured in American Kinesiology Association’s Kinesiology Today!

The feature spotlights Dr. Acevedo’s experience as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar in Brazil, where he collaborated on international research projects focused on physical activity, brain health, and psychophysiological responses to exercise. His work continues to expand global research partnerships while creating transformational learning opportunities for students both at VCU and abroad.

Congratulations to Dr. Acevedo on this well-deserved recognition and for representing SLSS on an international stage.

Read the full feature here:

AKA Spring 2026_R4.pdf | Document by Business Manager - AKA | FOREVER.com

How can cities use nature to better adapt to climate change?

New research from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Life Sciences and Sustainability professor Brian Verrelli explores how evolution can shape nature-based solutions like urban trees, wetlands and oyster beds to help cities adapt to climate change and environmental stressors.

Read more here:

VCU researcher examines nature-based solutions for changing cities – by taking evolution into account Evolutionary geneticist Brian Verrelli usually studies the past. Now, he’s looking to the future as cities adapt to climate change.

What happens when conservation, science, and community advocacy intersect? A recent feature from Richmond Magazine highlights the ongoing conversation surrounding Powell Creek and the importance of protecting the James River ecosystem, including insights from VCU School of Life Sciences faculty member Greg Garman.

The article explores concerns surrounding a proposed dredging project and its potential impact on wildlife, water quality, and historically significant habitats along the James River. Greg’s expertise helps shed light on the long-term ecological implications and the importance of preserving these fragile ecosystems for future generations.

Read the full story from Richmond Magazine here:

Barging In Plans to dredge a tributary stir up trouble in Prince George.