[{"id":401,"date":"2022-09-13T10:50:41","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T14:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/?p=401"},"modified":"2022-09-13T10:51:23","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T14:51:23","slug":"biology-professor-fernando-tenjo-still-finds-motivation-in-student-success-as-he-approaches-his-20th-year-at-vcu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/2022\/09\/13\/biology-professor-fernando-tenjo-still-finds-motivation-in-student-success-as-he-approaches-his-20th-year-at-vcu\/","title":{"rendered":"Biology professor Fernando Tenjo still finds motivation in student success as he approaches his 20th year at VCU"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Picture of Fernando Tenjo looking through a microscope (Loan Nguyen, VCU\u2019s Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fernand Tenjo joined VCU in 2003 and is approaching his 20th year here at VCU Biology. He has held various positions since arriving: associate professor of biology, associate chair for the Department of Biology, co-chair of the Men of Color Initiative<\/a>, and many more. The foundation for student success according to Fernando is the engagement of his students within the classroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has seen students engaged first-hand while teaching beer-making through his “Yeast and Fermentation” class. Students at first struggle with presenting a proposal of what beer they wish to make since they are not confident in their knowledge or skills. Over time students grow in their confidence through experiential learning. \u201cIt is impressive,\u201d Tenjo-Fernandez said about the growth he observes in students throughout the semester. \u201cAt some point, students can express by themselves what they\u2019ve learned. I can see the enthusiasm that they have when they learn it. They can explain [their work] very well. They can answer questions. That\u2019s when I know that I have made an impact when students are able to clearly communicate what they learned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fernando believes one of the key principles in teaching is keeping it as simple as possible. Students must learn the basics before they move on to more complicated concepts. He\u2019s also learned to be receptive to students\u2019 needs, which informs his work with the Men of Color Initiative. The initiative is dedicated to the enrollment, student success and post-graduation outcomes for Black males and Latinos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about Fernando’s journey and his work with MOC Initiative, please read the full story “Fostering student success motivates biology professor Fernando Tenjo-Fernandez as he approaches his 20th year at VCU<\/a>” by Loan Nguyen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Fernand Tenjo joined VCU in 2003 and is approaching his 20th year here at VCU Biology. He has held various positions since arriving: associate professor of biology, associate chair for the Department of Biology, co-chair of the Men of Color Initiative, and many more. The foundation for student success according to Fernando is the engagement […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1463,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","hentry","category-uncategorized","post_format-post-format-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1463"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=401"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":394,"date":"2022-08-19T16:36:22","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T20:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/?p=394"},"modified":"2022-08-19T16:36:24","modified_gmt":"2022-08-19T20:36:24","slug":"meet-gaston-ignacio-jofre-rodriguez-ph-d","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/2022\/08\/19\/meet-gaston-ignacio-jofre-rodriguez-ph-d\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Gaston Ignacio Jofre-Rodriguez, Ph.D."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the semester approaches the College of Humanities and Sciences posted about the newest faculty members for the the 2022-2023 academic year. This year they welcomed one of VCU Biology’s newest faculty member Gaston Jofre, Ph.D. We are very excited to have Gaston join our department and look forward to the impact he will make here at VCU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gaston is originally from Mexico and began his journey into Biology at UNAM in Mexico City. As an undergraduate he became interested in animal behavior, studying the effect of resource limitation on intra-species aggression. After that he studied for his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University, pivoting into evolutionary genomics speciation using swordtails, endemic species of life-bearing fish, as a model system. He continued his trajectory into the genomic signatures of speciation during his postdoctoral tenure at UNC Chapel Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gaston’s reasoning for what attracted him to VCU was the high diversity in the student population. Being Hispanic\/Latinx, Gaston is striving to take an active leadership role in promoting diversity. VCU’s commitment to diversity and inclusion resonates with Gaston’s values and a responsibility to contribute as a Hispanic scientist and educator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here to learn more about Gaston’s journey and some of his favorite hobbies.<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the semester approaches the College of Humanities and Sciences posted about the newest faculty members for the the 2022-2023 academic year. This year they welcomed one of VCU Biology’s newest faculty member Gaston Jofre, Ph.D. We are very excited to have Gaston join our department and look forward to the impact he will make […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1463,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-394","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","hentry","category-uncategorized","post_format-post-format-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/394","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1463"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=394"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/394\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=394"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=394"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":387,"date":"2022-07-26T10:02:04","date_gmt":"2022-07-26T14:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/?p=387"},"modified":"2022-07-26T10:02:06","modified_gmt":"2022-07-26T14:02:06","slug":"vcu-biology-faculty-members-involved-with-leaders-for-inclusive-learning-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/2022\/07\/26\/vcu-biology-faculty-members-involved-with-leaders-for-inclusive-learning-program\/","title":{"rendered":"VCU Biology Faculty Members Involved With Leaders for Inclusive Learning program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"
Sarah Golding, PH.D., (left), talk with faculty during a Leaders for Inclusive Learning faculty development workshop in summer 2021. The program involved faculty working together to find ways to bolster student success through inclusive teaching and learning practices. (Alexis Finc, VCU College of Humanities and Sciences) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Leaders for Inclusive Learning program helps train instructors on how to best serve students through inclusive teaching and learning practices. These practices are then brought back to their faculty peers in their departments to have a greater impact and help lead systemic change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program was first brought to life by Sarah Golding, PH.D., an associate professor in the Department of Biology and assistant director of the VCU Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence in STEM initiative. Golding partnered with\u00a0Allison Johnson<\/a>, Ph.D., an associate professor in VCU\u2019s\u00a0Life Sciences<\/a>\u00a0and program director of VCU\u2019s Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence initiative, and\u00a0Kim Case<\/a>, Ph.D., director of faculty success for the\u00a0Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence and Faculty Success<\/a>,\u00a0to develop the yearlong program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faculty members from the College of Humanities and Sciences were nominated in the Spring of 2021 to participate. Cara Cario, PH.D. and Ma. Carolina Yaber PH.D. were selected from the Department of Biology and participated in the program. Their efforts will help foster a more inclusive environment for learning and will provide the department with the knowledge on how to best get students to achieve their goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following information above was provided by Alexis Finc (VCU College of Humanities and Sciences). To learn more about the program read the whole article “The Goal? Success for every student” by Alexis Finc. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Leaders for Inclusive Learning program helps train instructors on how to best serve students through inclusive teaching and learning practices. These practices are then brought back to their faculty peers in their departments to have a greater impact and help lead systemic change. The program was first brought to life by Sarah Golding, PH.D., an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1463,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[202,124,102],"class_list":["post-387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-cara-cario","tag-carolina-yaber","tag-sarah-golding","post_format-post-format-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/387","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1463"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=387"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/387\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=387"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=387"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":379,"date":"2022-07-01T10:08:08","date_gmt":"2022-07-01T14:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/?p=379"},"modified":"2022-07-01T10:24:52","modified_gmt":"2022-07-01T14:24:52","slug":"vcu-biology-welcomes-on-new-department-chair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/2022\/07\/01\/vcu-biology-welcomes-on-new-department-chair\/","title":{"rendered":"VCU Biology Welcomes On New Department Chair"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VCU Biology Department has introduced Rima Franklin PH.D. as the new Department Chair. Dr. Franklin will step into the role; previously filled by Derek Johnson PH.D. for the past four years. Rima brings a lot of experience and has served as an Associate Professor for over seven years. Her leadership qualities and ability to work with others will be an integral part of moving the Department of Biology forwards in the coming years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also would like to thank Dr. Johnson for the incredible work he accomplished for the department. His leadership throughout his tenure, including the pandemic, has been essential for VCU Biology. We wish him continuous success with his career and research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Associate Professor Fernando Tenjo will continue to work as Associate Chair after four years serving under Dr. Johnson. His knowledge and understanding will provide an essential need for Dr. Franklin and VCU Biology going onwards. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

VCU Biology Department has introduced Rima Franklin PH.D. as the new Department Chair. Dr. Franklin will step into the role; previously filled by Derek Johnson PH.D. for the past four years. Rima brings a lot of experience and has served as an Associate Professor for over seven years. Her leadership qualities and ability to work […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1463,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","hentry","category-uncategorized","post_format-post-format-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1463"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=379"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/379\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":370,"date":"2022-06-09T14:53:51","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T18:53:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/?p=370"},"modified":"2022-06-10T12:04:11","modified_gmt":"2022-06-10T16:04:11","slug":"traversing-the-james-river-to-learn-about-its-biodiversity-and-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/2022\/06\/09\/traversing-the-james-river-to-learn-about-its-biodiversity-and-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Traversing the James River to learn about its biodiversity and history"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"
In the Footprints on the James course, students traverse the James River by kayak, canoe and raft. (Tom Kojcsich, University Marketing)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Students have been participating in VCU’s experiential Footprints on the James course are also helping professors from across the U.S. test new river-based field lessons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This summer\u2019s Footprints on the James includes two courses: Footprints on the James: The Natural History of the James River Watershed, taught by Daniel Carr, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology, and Environmental Studies 491 River Field Practicum, taught by Vonesh and Carr. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I read the course description, it scared me \u2013 but in a good way,\u201d said Kiki McDonnell, a biology major who\u2019s entering her senior year. \u201cI felt like it was something big that I needed to do and put me outside of my comfort zone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday June 11th, the students will be travelling for a week from Lynchburg to Scottsville on the James River Batteau Mary Marshall<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To read the full story go check out “Traversing the James River to learn about its biodiversity and history”<\/a> by Brian McNeill<\/strong>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Students have been participating in VCU’s experiential Footprints on the James course are also helping professors from across the U.S. test new river-based field lessons. This summer\u2019s Footprints on the James includes two courses: Footprints on the James: The Natural History of the James River Watershed, taught by Daniel Carr, an assistant professor in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1463,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,2,153],"tags":[185,14,200],"class_list":["post-370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","hentry","category-courses","category-ecology","category-students","tag-biology-undergraduate","tag-carrdf","tag-research","post_format-post-format-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1463"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=370"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/370\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":360,"date":"2022-05-05T12:06:23","date_gmt":"2022-05-05T16:06:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/?p=360"},"modified":"2022-05-05T12:21:10","modified_gmt":"2022-05-05T16:21:10","slug":"biology-student-has-won-the-prestigious-clarion-case-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/2022\/05\/05\/biology-student-has-won-the-prestigious-clarion-case-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Biology student has won the prestigious CLARION Case Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"
Josephine Gresko, Lance Mendoza, Gruhi Patel, and Kush Savsani teamed to win a national title. (Tom Kojcsich, University Marketing)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

VCU student Kush Savsani, a sophomore biology major in the College of Humanities and Sciences, has won the Clarion Case Competition<\/a>. Savsani, alongside three other VCU students, was able to bring home first place in The National CLARION Case Competition 2022 held by the University of Minnesota. The competition focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in health care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group had to develop solutions to the hypothetical problem within health care. They are the first VCU team to win the competition and were awarded $8,500 in scholarship. \u201cUs being connected to VCU and VCU Health gave us the ability to see how a health care system operates, especially in a case that involved diversity, equity, and inclusion,\u201d Savsani said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To read the full story go check out “Students triumph at prestigious interprofessional case competition<\/strong>“<\/a> by James Shea<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

VCU student Kush Savsani, a sophomore biology major in the College of Humanities and Sciences, has won the Clarion Case Competition. Savsani, alongside three other VCU students, was able to bring home first place in The National CLARION Case Competition 2022 held by the University of Minnesota. The competition focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1463,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,153],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","hentry","category-awards","category-students","post_format-post-format-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1463"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=360"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/360\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":352,"date":"2022-03-31T10:55:22","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T14:55:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/?p=352"},"modified":"2022-03-31T10:55:25","modified_gmt":"2022-03-31T14:55:25","slug":"an-aspiring-dentist-discovers-a-passion-for-ecology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/2022\/03\/31\/an-aspiring-dentist-discovers-a-passion-for-ecology\/","title":{"rendered":"An aspiring dentist discovers a passion for ecology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"
Drashty Mody is examining saltwater intrusion in wetlands \u2014 and the James River’s water quality \u2014 as an undergraduate researcher. (Photo illustration by University Relations)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Drashty Mody, a biology major set to graduate in May, is on the pre-dentistry track at VCU. She was placed last year in the research lab of Rima Franklin, Ph.D., associate professor of microbial ecology in the College of Humanities and Sciences. At first she was nervous that Franklin\u2019s ecological research seemed like no more than a distant cousin to Mody\u2019s passion for dentistry. But soon Mody realized from her experience that there is a closer connection between the two fields. \u201cWhether it is studying microbes in the freshwater wetlands or the oral cavity, both communities are affected by significant changes in their environment,\u201d Mody said. \u201cTo be able to study the community succession and adaptation to new settings is very similar in the two seemingly distant fields of study. To be able to draw those parallels between two subjects has been the most fascinating and adventurous aspect of my research.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read the full article, “An aspiring dentist discovers a passion for ecology” by Tom Greshman at VCU News. <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Drashty Mody, a biology major set to graduate in May, is on the pre-dentistry track at VCU. She was placed last year in the research lab of Rima Franklin, Ph.D., associate professor of microbial ecology in the College of Humanities and Sciences. At first she was nervous that Franklin\u2019s ecological research seemed like no more […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1463,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,6,153],"tags":[115,201],"class_list":["post-352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","hentry","category-ecology","category-research","category-students","tag-labs","tag-research-weeks","post_format-post-format-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1463"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=352"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":346,"date":"2022-03-28T16:16:19","date_gmt":"2022-03-28T20:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/?p=346"},"modified":"2022-03-28T16:18:28","modified_gmt":"2022-03-28T20:18:28","slug":"spring-research-showcase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/2022\/03\/28\/spring-research-showcase\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring Research Showcase"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Integrative Life Sciences Student Organization is presenting its annual research showcase on Thursday, April 14th from 11am – to 4pm. Come to The Commons Virginia Rooms A-D to witness students giving presentations on their own research findings. Oral presentations will also be available over Zoom. Contact matheskc@vcu.edu for any questions. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Integrative Life Sciences Student Organization is presenting its annual research showcase on Thursday, April 14th from 11am – to 4pm. Come to The Commons Virginia Rooms A-D to witness students giving presentations on their own research findings. Oral presentations will also be available over Zoom. Contact matheskc@vcu.edu for any questions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1463,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[108,6,153,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","hentry","category-events","category-research","category-students","category-uncategorized","post_format-post-format-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1463"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=346"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":342,"date":"2022-03-21T17:00:05","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T21:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/?p=342"},"modified":"2022-03-28T16:22:05","modified_gmt":"2022-03-28T20:22:05","slug":"vcu-biology-social-media-photo-contest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/biology\/2022\/03\/21\/vcu-biology-social-media-photo-contest\/","title":{"rendered":"VCU Biology Social Media Photo Contest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"
Calling all VCU Biology student to take part in our social media contest to win a VCU Biology T-Shirt. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

VCU Biology is trying to find your best selfies or group shots that have to do with VCU Biology. Whether it’s exploring the outdoors, working on a lab experience or even you and your friends attending a lecture, we want to see you representing VCU Biology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rules And How To Enter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n