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VCU’s research helps power a national success story

Rooted in American history, the university’s partnership – with the federal government, Virginia and private industry – is changing the world.

By David Oglethorpe

Developing tiny antennas to power our future medical devices. Investigating how memory helps us process societal change. Exploring our rivers – and surfacing nature’s lessons for mankind.

At small and large scales, Virginia Commonwealth University has emerged as a renowned powerhouse in research that optimizes health, enriches the human experience and addresses society’s pressing challenges. Through its broad and expanding portfolio, VCU’s research enterprise reflects a longtime national commitment and goal: The United States must be the global leader in innovation and discovery, and VCU and its fellow universities must lead the way.

Srirama Rao, Ph.D., is VCU’s vice president of research and innovation. He offers an overview and update of how VCU is serving the nation – and the world – through research.

How did universities like VCU become the heart of research in the U.S.?

For more than 75 years, the United States has relied on its universities to conduct innovative, impactful research on behalf of the government. The decision was made after World War II that institutions of higher education were better positioned to conduct research at the scope and scale needed to ensure that the United States became the global leader in innovation and knowledge creation.

Because of this model, VCU has been able to partner with the federal government to improve human health, discover technological breakthroughs and make important contributions to society as a whole.

This last year, we crossed the $500 million mark in sponsored funding for the first time, marking an 86% increase over the past six years.

While VCU’s research portfolio is diverse, around 40% of our annual funding is through federal sources.

Why does research require so much investment?

In 2023, research and development expenditures across all American universities exceeded $108 billion. While that number may seem large, the overall return on investment is far greater.

Research and knowledge creation takes much in the way of resources, cutting-edge infrastructure and human capital, all of which necessitates significant investment at every university. While we at VCU work tirelessly to keep the costs of research as low as possible, research of any type is generally a cost-intensive venture.      

Give us a bit more insight into those expenses.

For starters, we at VCU submit an average of five to six research proposals per day to various federal, local state and private entities. Once the proposals are accepted and our researchers have projects that are funded, VCU must then cover a great deal of research infrastructure and operating expenses to ensure that the researcher can be successful.

These investments touch on areas such as state-of-the art laboratories; patient safety; radiation safety and hazardous waste disposal; personnel to support essential administrative and regulatory compliance work; maintenance staff; and other activities necessary for supporting research.

Those are just the startup or project-associated supportive costs. Then the faculty members will spend a majority of their awards conducting their research.

A man in a suit and glasses gestures as speaking behind a lectern.
P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., is VCU’s vice president of research and innovation. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

What are some focal points of VCU’s research?

VCU’s research is impactful and spans a remarkably broad range of societal issues and challenges. Let’s look at our overall portfolio as having two primary components.

More than half of our research funding originates through medical and health sciences research, including the School of Medicine, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health. In our health sciences research, we are focusing on saving and improving lives through research in areas like cancer, addiction, mental health, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular conditions, pharmacology, drug discovery and neuroscience.

The other half of our research portfolio focuses on advances in fields such as education, engineering, materials sciences, sustainable manufacturing, community-engaged research, environmental research and better understanding of society through the humanities and arts.

Just as importantly, we are closely examining and exploring how artificial intelligence and machine learning can impact and improve our research in all of these areas.

Speaking of impact, how does VCU’s research affect communities at large?

Our research and innovation enterprise is designed to ensure that the discoveries made here support the communities we serve.

Our Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is studying local populations to create personalized cancer treatments and interventions. Our Rice Rivers Center is working with our local Indigenous tribes to provide environmental expertise to help protect their lands. We are leveraging our arts and humanities research to foster conversations, create shared experiences and cultivate collaborations for the public good. And we’re training the next generation of teachers for hard-to-staff school districts. 

In December 2024, nine out of 10 respondents in an independent, Richmond-area survey said VCU is producing important innovations in science, technology and health care that improve people’s lives.

How does VCU’s research connect to the economy?

With our economic impact exceeding $9 billion, VCU is a powerhouse that contributes to the local, regional and national economies.

Our research commercialization efforts also contribute to our economic impact. Over the past 10 years, VCU inventors have launched more than 60 startups, have more than 700 industry engagements and have brought more than 54 products to market or the academic community. This means more jobs created and more products to help solve the challenges faced by our communities.

What excites you the most about the future of VCU’s research?

VCU has experienced exponential growth in its research portfolio over the past six years and has truly become a powerhouse for discovery and innovation. One of the things I’m most excited about is the greater number of lives that will be saved and improved because of the increased reach and impact of our work.

 And while we are focusing much of our efforts on treating and curing acute and chronic diseases and improving human health, we are also devoting many resources to interdisciplinary research across engineering, the humanities, education, the arts and other areas that are so crucial in understanding and addressing societal grand challenges.

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