April 15, 2025 | 3 p.m. Cabell Lecture Hall (Rm. 303)
VCU State of Research Address
Join P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation, as he delivers the annual VCU State of Research Address. Dr. Rao will highlight the impactful work VCU's researchers are conducting, VCU's research growth over the past year, and offer insights into the strategic direction of future research initiatives. Reception to follow at Scott's House
The 28th Annual Graduate Research Symposium will bring together graduate students from across the university to share their research with the VCU and local community.
All undergraduate researchers from every discipline are encouraged to present. Presentations may be for completed research projects, completed papers or research in progress.
Join us for an insightful session featuring Hoifung Poon from Microsoft Research & Incubations, who is at the forefront of research in Biomedical AI. His work focuses on developing advanced algorithms and models that leverage artificial intelligence to analyze complex biomedical data, aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy and personalize treatment plans. With a wealth of experience and expertise, Poon's research explores innovative methodologies that bridge the gap between technology and clinical applications, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes and transform healthcare delivery. This session promises to deepen our understanding of the critical role AI plays in the future of biomedical research and practice.
Q&A to follow.
Dr. Poon is part of the Gordon Ginder Innovations in Cancer (GGIC) symposium.
Dr. Maia Hightower is a leading researcher at the intersection of digital technology and health equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her work focuses on how digital health technologies can be leveraged to address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Dr. Hightower emphasizes the importance of integrating diverse perspectives in the design and implementation of these technologies, ensuring that they meet the needs of all communities. Through her pioneering research, she aims to create solutions that promote health equity and improve overall healthcare delivery. Join us to learn more about her impactful findings and the essential role of digital technology in advancing health equity.
Q&A to follow.
Dr. Hightower is part of the Gordon Ginder Innovations in Cancer (GGIC) symposium.
Dr. Wei Zhou from Virginia Tech is an innovative researcher focusing on the interactions between cancer cells and neuronal cells and their implications for antibody therapies and immunotherapy treatments. His work investigates the complex biological mechanisms that govern these interactions, aiming to understand how they influence tumor behavior and treatment responses. By exploring the interplay between the nervous system and cancer, Dr. Zhou's research seeks to uncover novel insights that could inform the development of more effective cancer therapies. This session will provide an opportunity to engage with his findings and inspire collaboration in the ongoing quest for innovative approaches to cancer treatment.
Q&A to follow.
Dr. Zhou is part of the Gordon Ginder Innovations in Cancer (GGIC) symposium.
Dr. Maryellen Giger from the University of Chicago is a pioneering researcher in the field of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) and the application of machine learning for detecting and treating breast, lung, and prostate cancers. Her research focuses on developing and refining machine learning algorithms to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve treatment outcomes in oncology. By integrating advanced imaging techniques with computational methods, Dr. Giger aims to transform the way cancer is diagnosed and managed, ultimately contributing to more effective and personalized patient care. This session will highlight her innovative work and its potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Q&A to follow.
Dr. Giger is part of the Gordon Ginder Innovations in Cancer (GGIC) symposium.
Dr. Lawrence Shulman from the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center is a leading researcher focused on innovations in cancer care delivery, particularly in the United States and resource-constrained settings such as Rwanda, Botswana, and Haiti. His work examines the critical challenges faced by cancer care systems in diverse healthcare environments and explores innovative strategies to improve patient outcomes. By investigating approaches tailored to different contexts, Dr. Shulman aims to enhance access to quality cancer care and inform policies that can better support patients worldwide. This session will showcase his impactful research and its implications for global cancer care.
Q&A to follow.
Dr. Shulman is part of the Gordon Ginder Innovations in Cancer (GGIC) symposium.
Self-Management and the Transfer of Medical Responsibility from Parent to Child in Youth with Spina Bifida
April 17, 2025 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. BioTech One (Founders Corner Conference Room, 1st Floor)
Join us for a crucial discussion on self-management in youth with spina bifida. Loyola University Chicago professor of clinical psychology Grayson N. Holmbeck, Ph.D. will present his groundbreaking research on the challenges and strategies involved in transferring medical responsibility from parents to children, a critical step in the transition to adult healthcare. Drawing from longitudinal studies and camp-based intervention programs, this presentation will shed light on the complex interplay of family dynamics, psychosocial factors and neuropsychological functioning in this vulnerable population. Discover practical implications for improving adolescent health outcomes and fostering independence.
The joint public-private deployment of AI systems is unfolding almost invisibly. The philosophies and ambitions that guide these black box systems are also opaque. An emerging frictionless alignment between technology and AI corporations, operating almost as separate sovereigns, and the government is developing. This phenomenon demands a separation of the "AI State" that governs the corporate interests and the "State" that governs the public interests of the people. The separation of Church and State is mandated under the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. The separation of the AI State and State is now urgently needed as well.
Evolutionary and Cognitive Roots of Human Social Behavior
April 24, 2025 | 3:30 - 5 p.m. STEM Building (Room 110)
Join University of California San Diego's psychology professor Michael E. McCullough, Ph.D. as he discusses his research on the evolutionary and cognitive roots of human social behavior. From groundbreaking work on forgiveness and gratitude to exploring the complex interplay of empathy, morality and religion, Dr. McCullough's research explores what makes us human. Discover how his multi-cultural studies on gratitude and large-scale projects on religion and cooperation are shaping our understanding of sociality.
