News

Trading places: Melanie Eckberg shifts from working in labs to writing about them

Nov. 4, 2026

Melanie Eckberg, Ph.D., (B.S.’13, B.S.’13) shares her passion for science in a communications role born from her enjoyment of explaining difficult concepts in courtrooms

VCU to celebrate 15 notable alums at biennial Alumni Stars event

VCU Alumni honors accomplished recent graduates with 10 Under 10 awards

Oct. 19, 2026

Ten Rams who earned their first VCU degree within the past decade will be recognized Oct. 25.

VCU to screen true-crime documentary ‘Baby Doe’ with filmmaker

Sept. 15, 2026

Jessica Earnshaw will join College of Humanities and Sciences faculty for a panel after the Sept. 16 viewing in the Commons theater.

VCU fuels new and emerging research endeavors and cross-campus collaboration with 2026 Quest Fund awards

July 28, 2026

These competitive internal grants empower faculty to launch pilot studies, restart research programs and drive transdisciplinary discoveries.

Focused on making STEM more approachable – IRL and online

March 4, 2026

Kelly Knight (M.S.’08) is a forensic science professor and STEM program director educating undergraduates in forensic science and introducing pre- and teenage girls to STEM-based education.

Kiersten Fultz was in the first cohort of students in VCU’s accelerated forensics program. (Contributed image)

Class of 2025: Kiersten Fultz found her focus in forensic science

Jan. 16, 2026

The transfer student is among the first graduates from VCU’s accelerated master’s program, and she is heading way out west to work as a DNA analyst.

Michelle Peace, Ph.D., a professor of forensic science at VCU, works with a colleague in a forensic toxicology lab. (Nathan Hanger, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

The hidden dangers of vapes: VCU study reveals chemicals, risks and teen use

Oct. 30, 2025

Researcher Michelle Peace and her team examine nicotine, cannabinoids, ethanol and other ingredients in nearly 1,300 products from K-12 schools in Virginia.

Mikaela Romanelli (M.S. ’14) protects her community using forensic chemistry

Oct. 9, 2025

The Department of Forensic Science alumna continues to use her training from her graduate program as a senior forensic chemist with the Drug Enforcement Administration

Michelle Peace, Ph.D., wants consumers to be informed about what they are putting into their lungs when they use vaping and cannabis products. (Nathan Hanger, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Her mission: Clearing the air about the hidden danger in vapes

July 14, 2025

Mold? Nail polish remover? VCU forensic toxicologist Michelle Peace is unearthing what’s truly inside the unregulated products that are billed as alternatives to smoking.

Sophie Laman is an Honors College student who graduated this month with a forensic science degree (biology concentration) and minors in chemistry, biology and pre-medicine. (Contributed photo)

Class of 2025: Sophie Laman aimed straight for VCU’s forensic science program

May 13, 2025

The Tennessee native will continue exploring crime investigation and medical research this summer.