VCU Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

10/12/2026

This Thursday, don't miss Dina García, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed., presenting "Where Do We Stand? Reflexivity, Power, and Relational Accountability in Community-Engaged Research" as part of the VCU Division of Community Engagement's Community Engaged Research Series. Dra. García's talk will explore how reflexive practice can strengthen relationships, inform research decisions and support accountable approaches to research, teaching and mentorship.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_Hk7IApY5JuqrBN47VXx_klLAY4XhcZop2iA6nVqjZnMquQ/viewform?usp=header

10/09/2026

Last month we held the first of a new series of department seminars, and welcomed to VCU Nandi Marshall, DrPH, MPH, CHES, CLC, CDE, CPH, President of the American Public Health Association! Dr. Marshall shared her insight on leadership, scholarship, community-engaged work, and the future of public health in the U.S. It was truly a pleasure to host her and we can't thank her enough!

Read more about Dr. Marshall's visit on our blog: https://blogs.vcu.edu/sbs/2026/10/09/inaugural-seminar-series-welcomes-apha-president-dr-nandi-marshall/

The Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences kicked off a new seminar series this fall, holding its first event on Thursday, September 17th. The seminar series is part of the department’s developing strategic plan, and aims to foster connections and share knowledge both within and without the ...

10/06/2026

💪 The Power of Mentorship - check out this episode of Grad Pod VCU featuring Dina Garcia, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed., and learn about how her experiences, training, and scholarship have impacted her approach to mentorship.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

10/02/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Tolulope Kolawole, MSPH, who successfully defended his dissertation this week! We celebrated after the defense with a gathering hosted by Tolu's fellow PhD scholars, with amazing homemade Nigerian food! Scroll through for photos of Tolu celebrating with the department and his mentor, Alexander Lucas, PhD.

09/30/2026

09/29/2026

Congratulations to Jessica G. LaRose, PhD, FSBM, who has been awarded the Theresa A. Thomas Memorial Chair by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center! Read more about the award and Dr. LaRose's work in cancer prevention and control on our blog:

https://blogs.vcu.edu/sbs/2026/09/29/dr-jessica-larose-named-theresa-a-thomas-memorial-chair-in-cancer-prevention-and-control/

09/21/2026

📖 Read about Arche XR, featured this month in Forbes. Arche XR, created by Nicholas Thomson, Ph.D., seeks to address youth mental health challenges by translating evidence-based approaches into a virtual experience.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/cortneyharding/2026/09/02/what-happens-when-you-build-vr-for-kids-who-actually-need-it/

Arche XR, led by Nicholas Thomson, is tackling this by using immersive VR technology to deliver engaging, evidence-based mental health interventions.

09/17/2026

Today is the day! 🎉 Nandi Marshall, DrPH, MPH, CHES, CLC, CDE, CPH will be speaking here at VCU, sharing her perspectives on public health in the current context.

Join us at 12pm at the University Student Commons Theater! All are welcome.

09/14/2026

Drs. Katherine Tossas and Sunny Jung Kim recently received funding as part of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center's new Cancer Health Engagement and Action Research (CHEAR) Center. Their study will investigate how misinformation impacts cancer prevention beliefs. Read more on our blog: https://blogs.vcu.edu/sbs/2026/09/14/new-grant-awarded-for-cancer-health-engagement-and-action-research-center/

09/10/2026

We are only a week out from the launch of our seminar series featuring APHA President Nandi Marshall, DrPH, MPH, CHES, CLC, CDE, CPH!

Dr. Marshall is a community-engaged scholar with more than 20 years of experience advancing maternal and child health and preparing the next generation of public health professionals. Her talk is entitled "For Such a Time as This: Championing Public Health Through Advocacy and Action."

Register to attend in person here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfg1dYS3TPSbqZ3Yvp4mdX0nCvYGL5pMPfCGg1Q6uTAhL9_MQ/viewform?usp=header

Or by Zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/qt1vi9uDR_e1pFOI6_az0A