Digital Commons Network^™

Analysis Of Differential Gene Expression In Androgen-Independent Clones Derived From The Mycap Pca Cell Line, Jessie L. Tignor, Melanie Sinanian, Richard Inho Joh, David Gewirtz, Jason Reed

UROP Posters

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a primary treatment strategy for prostate cancer (PCa), yet many tumors eventually develop androgen independence, leading to treatment resistance. To investigate the molecular changes underlying this transition, we analyzed differential gene expression in four androgen-independent (AI) clones derived from the Myc-CaP prostate cancer cell line using RNA sequencing. Gene expression profiles were compared to the parental Myc-CaP line, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using DESeq2 and edgeR. The AI clones exhibited significant downregulation of senescence-associated genes, including Ezh2 and lamin B1, suggesting a loss of senescence-related chromatin repression. Additionally, upregulation of Wnt pathway …

The Built Environment And The Systemic Agenda, Heciel J. Nieves Bonilla

UROP Posters

The built environment in the United States, characterized in large part by suburban sprawl and car-dependent infrastructure, has significant negative impacts on public health, economic mobility, and environmental sustainability. This paper examines the consequences of car-centric development, highlighting its role in exacerbating social and economic inequalities, increasing traffic-related fatalities, and contributing to climate change through excessive carbon emissions. The analysis reveals that a majority of Americans feel forced into car ownership due to inadequate alternative transportation options, leading to financial strain and adverse health outcomes, including obesity and air pollution-related diseases. The historical roots of these development patterns are traced …

Examining Sociodemographic And Clinical Factors Associated With Smoking Behaviors Among Black Breast And Gynecological Cancer Survivors, Ida M. Adeso, Jian He, Ashley Turner, Arnethea L. Sutton

UROP Posters

Black breast and gynecological cancer survivors experience poorer outcomes than their non-Black counterparts. Although multifactorial, one contributor may be cigarette smoking behaviors. The purpose of this study was to identify demographic, clinical, and social drivers of health (SDoH) factors associated with smoking behaviors in Black breast and gynecological cancer survivors.

We conducted a secondary analysis of survey data collected from an ongoing cross-sectional study. Summary statistics (e.g., means, frequencies) were computed for all factors of interest. Chi square test of independence, t test, and logistic regression assessed the associations between demographic, clinical, and SDoH factors (e.g., social support) and the …

Still Faces, Different Places: An Assessment Of The Literature On The Face-To-Face Still Face Procedure For Cultural Congruence, Merilyn Arikkat, Leslie B. Lantz, Patricia Kinser

UROP Posters

Cultural understanding is a factor that impacts reliability of research results for observational studies. It is important to include participants of minority groups in research, as many people of color face disproportionate challenges in terms of healthcare access and resources. Within the context of mother-infant attachment, a technique known as the Face-to-Face Still Face procedure can be utilized to observe attachment styles and the bond between a parent and their infant. In order to combat subjectivity within the coding process for this Face-to-Face Still Face procedure, cultural congruence between the participants being observed in the study and the coding researchers …

Therapy In The Age Of Ai: How Young Adults Seek Help, Support, And Solutions, Faith Maeba, Isabella Quilon, Abigail Adade

UROP Posters

Therapy has long been a foundational approach for addressing mental health, but advances in digital technology have led many young adults, especially Generation Z, to increasingly turn to AI tools for support. Rising costs, limited access to providers, and long wait times have further boosted the appeal of AI-based mental-health solutions. Despite this growing interest, the use of AI for emotional and psychological support raises important questions about trust, empathy, safety, and the ethical responsibilities of mental-health providers and developers. We conducted a brief scoping review of research on AI-based mental-health tools and student help-seeking behaviors. Searches were performed on …

2025 Merc Annual Report, David B. Naff, Jesse Senechal, Paula L. Ogston-Nobile

MERC Publications

This is the annual report of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) at Virginia Commonwealth University for the 2024-2025 academic year. It includes vignettes depicting MERC activities in the past year that align with each of its five principles: research, relevance, rigor, multiple perspectives, and impact. It concludes with a discussion of MERC's commitment moving forward.

Supporting Students In Transition To And From High School, David Naff, Jamelle Simmons, Meleah Ellison, Shelby Garofalo, Laura Thoene, Kim Dupre, Sooyeon Moon, Karli Johanson, Paul Harris, Martin Darby, William L. Parker, Tracy Booker, Janel Miley, Mysia Perry, Xun Liu, Maggie Szydlowski, Ahmed Abbas

MERC Publications

This report is part of a two-part series focused on supporting students in transition across PK-12 education. Specifically, it explores transitions into and out of high school school. The report includes a synthesis of recent peer-reviewed literature, analysis of publicly available data (with a specific focus on Virginia and the metropolitan Richmond region), and summary of relevant federal, state, and school division-level policies. It answers the following questions:

1. What are key considerations for supporting students in transition to and from high school in the MERC region?

2. How do federal, state, and division policies guide support for student transitions …

Strengthening Critical Infrastructure For Equity And Resilience: Findings From The Environmental Justice Data Project, Nakeina E. Douglas-Glenn Phd, Luisa Nazareno Phd, Emily Schreer, Amidu Kalokoh, Curtis Brown Mpa, Melvin Brown, Yali Pang Phd, Morgan Woodle Phd, Research Institute For Social Equity Rise

Research Institute for Social Equity

In 2023, the Research Institute for Social Equity, an institute of the Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, partnered with Resilient Virginia to explore the impact of climate change and degradation due to disasters and environmental hazards on the critical infrastructure in and around historically marginalized and underserved communities in the Richmond and Southside Virginia areas. During the study period, 2023-2025, the research team conducted both primary and secondary research in three Virginia localities: Charles City County, the City of Emporia, and a portion of the City of Richmond. Secondary research included a thorough …

Department Of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University: Historical And Personal Reflections, Richard A. Glennon

VCU University History Books

This book presents a historical account of Virginia Commonwealth University's Department of Medicinal Chemistry, compiled and recollected in 2025 by Professor Emeritus Richard A. Glennon. Included are personal reflections alongside a historical overview of the department's origins and faculty, as well as newly developed programs and initiatives.

What Are The Genetic Influences Of Alcohol Sensitivity And Alcohol Metabolism? A Narrative Review Of Human Studies, Erwin Murray, Karen G. Chartier Phd, Msw

UROP Posters

Background: Alcohol sensitivity and alcohol metabolism are two phenotypes associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD) influenced by genetics. This narrative review aims to answer “What are the genetic influences of alcohol sensitivity and alcohol metabolism?” to gain a better understanding of the genetic aspects of AUD.

Methods: A database search was performed in PubMed. Empirical human genetic studies published between 2009 and 2025 that focused on alcohol sensitivity (measured by the Self-Rating of the Effects of Alcohol scale) or alcohol-metabolizing genes were eligible for review. Studies were screened to determine inclusion for the current review.

Findings: Fifteen …

Exploring The Association Between Childhood Anxiety And Stressful Urban Life Events, Diya Cheema, Sydney Sumrall, Robin Everhart, Marcia Winter

UROP Posters

Objective: Research indicates that children who live in underserved urban environments are more likely to experience behavioral problems, such as social withdrawal, school adjustment problems, and self-reported delinquency (e.g., King, Huang, & Dewan, 2022). Studies have shown that for adolescents who later develop anxiety and depression, the neighborhood during childhood development could be a factor (Lee et al., 2018). Environmental conditions such as a higher risk of exposure to violence, limited community resources, and undergoing a significant life change in childhood can result in greater risk for psychological distress, including anxiety (King, Huang, & Dewan, 2022). The purpose of this …

An Interview With Sharon Lee Hart, Mysoon Rizk, Sharon Lee Hart

Art Inquiries

No abstract provided.

Speculations On Brunelleschi’S Pazzi Chapel, Howard A. Risatti Professor Emeritus, Donald Schrader

Art Inquiries

Why speculate on Filippo Brunelleschi’s Pazzi Chapel? As Giorgio Vasari wrote, many of Brunelleschi’s projects were not finished in his lifetime and not as he wished. The lesson to be drawn, says Vasari, who was writing a century after Brunelleschi’s death, is that “anyone who wishes to leave a memorial of his existence should complete it in his own lifetime and not put faith in anyone else.” Since Brunelleschi died well before the chapel was completed, issues have been raised for over a century about its inconsistencies regarding the open loggia, the barrel-vaulted portico, and the façade. This paper addresses …

Art Inquiries, Xix:1, Full Issue, Mysoon Rizk

Art Inquiries

No abstract provided.

A Quantitative Examination Of The Role Of Relationship Status In Asexual College Students’ Sexual Victimization, Amanda Mollet, Wayne Black, Leslie Shelton

Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education

This exploratory quantitative study examines sexual violence among asexual college students using the Asexual Community Survey. We conducted analyses to examine the coercive tactics used by sexual violence perpetrators against asexual college students with a focus on examining statistical differences based on characteristics of students’ relationships. Findings revealed that across multiple forms of relationships, asexual college students’ relationship experiences were significantly correlated with experiencing higher levels of multiple types of sexual violence. The study challenges existing narratives of campus-based sexual violence while highlighting the unique and specific influences of power on sexual victimization within the context of asexual college students’ …

Interview With Magaly Rodriguez (2024-11-30)

Latino Virginia Oral History Project

Magaly Rodriguez, un immigrante de Bolivia, compartir sus familias historia con la migración de Bolivia a los Estados Unidos y cómo se adpataron a la sociedad estadounidense. Magaly compartió la lucha de la salud de su mamá y como le sistema de salud en los Estados Unidos ayudaron bastante. Ella reflexionó en el tiempo de la pandemia y como afectaron su familia y la comunidad Latina. Habló sobre política con respecto a la deportación de Latinos. Magaly expresó su agradecimiento de los oportunidades y recursos en la Estados Unidos.

Magaly Rodriguez, an immigrant from Bolivia, shared her family's story of …

Amplifying The Coloring Art Of A Friend With Alzheimer’S Disease Through Collaboration, Liz Langdon

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

The act of coloring pages, is recognized for its therapeutic value and this research shows how amplifying the artistry of a practitioner with Alzheimer’s disease enhances understanding about the disease, improves relationships and adds value to an underrated art practice. My collaboration with a neighbor experiencing Alzheimer’s disease involved presenting her coloring pages as fine art in a gallery, increasing recognition of the practice as valuable for maintaining normalcy and serving as a model for other people with dementia (PWD) and their caregivers.

Best Practices For Hybrid Art Museum Programs For People With Dementia, Pooja Lalwani, Sujal Manohar, Jessica Kay Ruhle

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

The Reflections program at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University offers art gallery tours for adults with dementia and their care partners. Originally an in-person program, Reflections adapted to a virtual model during the COVID-19 pandemic and now utilizes a hybrid model with in-person and online programs. Surveys distributed to Reflections’ participants indicate the benefits of having both in-person and virtual options post-pandemic. Anecdotal survey data and participation statistics show high engagement and satisfaction with the current hybrid mode. Literature about hybrid art education programs for people with dementia remains limited. We offer best practices and insights for …

Lest We Forget- About My Mother, Cynthia Van Frank

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

"Lest We Forget - About My Mother" is a poignant visual essay comprising a series of small and medium-sized oil paintings that serve as a tribute to the artist's 93-year-old mother, who grapples with dementia. Through these paintings, the artist delves into their personal journey as a caregiver, reflecting on their mother's life, challenges, and the impact of memory loss. Each painting depicts significant objects from the mother's life, serving as touchstones to her past and symbolizing the richness of her experiences despite dementia's challenges. Knitting emerges as a recurring motif, embodying comfort and routine while conveying moments of resilience …

Crip Time And Creativity: Exploring Intergenerational Artmaking In A Children's Museum, Kelly M. Gross

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

This paper investigates the intersection of "crip time" and creativity through an intergenerational artmaking project conducted during an artist residency at a children's museum. The article, framed within the "Shadows and Light: Investigating with Children" project, explores how play-based learning and the non-linear concept of crip time influenced the creative process and outcomes in a museum setting amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines the role of intergenerational interactions in fostering creativity, agency, and engagement among children and the artist-in-residence. The research methodology involved qualitative analysis of imagery and iterative documentation of art processes, emphasizing the impact of flexibility and …

Ritualized Engrossment: Portraits Of Early-Career Faculty Practicing Renewal, Samantha Goss, Libba Willcox

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

In higher education, the demands on early-career faculty often lead to mental health challenges and time poverty. This article explores two major issues that negatively impact faculty well-being: the disconnect between doctoral socialization and tenure-track realities, and the struggle to balance unrealistic expectations with sustainable practices. To address the dissonance we felt as early career faculty, we developed a renewal practice called ritualized engrossment, characterized by connection, collaboration, care, and commitment. Grounded in aesthetic approaches and using methods from portraiture and collaborative autoethnography, we present two narrative portraits illustrating the impact of this practice on our well-being. Our portraits illustrate …

Intergenerational Art: A Cultural Perspective, Steve Willis

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

This paper will present the experiences that I had with two female Elders in the Acoma Pueblo. By working with a traditional Acoma family, I gained an intimate view of the positionality of the family structure, intergenerational teaching, and the Acoma culture. Like my experiences with many Eastern Tribes (my ancestral lineage is with the Powhaton Society), the Acoma culture is a matrilineal society. This paper will include anecdotal narratives along with images of the Pueblo, Sky City, and traditional ceramic forms. I will present the sacredness of the environment through art-making and art-sharing between generations. The two Acoma Elders …

Pearl And Murray Greenberg Award Lectures, Linda J. Helmick, Margaret Walker

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

No abstract provided.

Journal Theme: Connections, Linda J. Helmick

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

No abstract provided.

Connections: Full Journal

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

No abstract provided.

Using Mixed Methods To Explore Forms Of Harassment For K-12 Bipoc Trans Students, Caroline Reale-Smith, Mario I. Suárez, Emma Mecham

Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education

Trans students of color face verbal and physical harassment all too often in educational settings. Using the 2015 United States Trans Survey, this mixed methods study explored the relationship between race and gender identity with regard to experiences with verbal and physical harassment in the K-12 setting. The quantitative phase investigated the extent to which race and gender identity predicted verbal and physical harassment, while the qualitative phase explored the types of harassment experiences for trans students of color. Quantitative findings highlight a higher incidence of verbal and physical harassment for Alaska Native/American Indian trans individuals and trans women, and …

Commonwealth Times 2024-11-13

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2024-11-06

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

“We Don’T Do That”: Negotiating Graduate Education As A Bisexual+ Student, Kaity Prieto, Victoria B. Olivo

Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education

Bisexual+ people comprise the largest portion of the queer and trans community, yet there is limited research on bi+ subpopulations and a particular absence of literature exploring bisexual+ student identities and experiences. Much of the extant bi+ college student literature has centered on undergraduate experiences, leaving graduate experiences underexplored. Through this narrative inquiry study, guided by a queer theoretical framework, we sought to understand how bi+ graduate students navigate academic and professional contexts and how systems of power influence their identity negotiation narratives. Findings revealed pervasive bisexual+ erasure in academic contexts, pressure to conform to normative notions of professionalism, and …

Ink (2024)

Ink, 2008-

The student-run features magazine covering the fashion, art, music and culture worlds at VCU and in Richmond. Published annually in print and updated regularly online.