By VCU News staff

Reflecting an ongoing commitment to future-proofing its students, Virginia Commonwealth University is introducing a new undergraduate minor in research ecosystems in fall 2025. The program will offer a comprehensive introduction to the operational, regulatory and strategic aspects of modern research conduct and management.

The research landscape has grown increasingly interdisciplinary and complex, requiring trained and qualified professionals with expertise in both the content of their domains as well as research ecosystems overall. Reflecting this evolution, the new minor was developed through the VCU Student Pathways Collaborative, led by the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and the College of Health Professions. Representatives included associates from Human Resources, the School of Medicine and the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“This new minor reflects our commitment to preparing students for real-world impact, and supporting the future of science at every level,” said Amy R. Darragh, Ph.D., dean of the VCU College of Health Professions. “By equipping them with indispensable skills to navigate the research ecosystem, our students will have greater opportunities to find meaningful research careers in their chosen fields.”

Translational research transforms scientific discovery into practical solutions for public health, clinical practice and health care policy, but many professionals entering those fields lack formal training in how research is funded, regulated, conducted and managed. The new minor’s courses would prepare students for entry level positions in fields such as research administration, lab research, animal care and clinical research.

The curriculum also emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of team science, where varied skill sets help implement successful research. The minor’s content applies to various research domains conducted throughout the various schools, colleges, centers, and institutes at VCU.

"Research administrators are the backbone of any research enterprise and there are few formal pathways to these crucial careers," said P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation. "I am so pleased that VCU is continuing as a national leader in cultivating early-career research professionals by designing and offering this unique minor. With 62% of research policies and regulations being introduced in the last 10 years, our research administrators are now more essential than ever."

The minor’s 18-credit curriculum includes four core courses as well as an elective within the student’s chosen research domain, and the program culminates in an internship experience.

The research ecosystems minor, which is open to all majors, aligns with the mission of the Clinical and Translational Science Award program to cultivate a skilled and future-ready workforce. By building institutional capacity and developing entry-level talent, the program supports the broader goals of VCU’s research enterprise, which include:

• Preparing job-ready graduates with relevant competencies and skills.
• Strengthening the research professional workforce.
• Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and team science within research teams.

For more about the new minor’s coursework requirements, read this blog post.