By finding ‘bright spots’ in the opioid crisis, VCU researchers are mapping a path to better outcomes
Rather than focusing on the areas where mortality is highest, a multidisciplinary team is putting a spotlight on communities that are performing significantly better than expected despite facing the same risks as their neighbors who are struggling.
Spotlight: Strengthen Your Research Grant Proposal through the Research Design Studio
Are you stuck at a certain phase of your research project? We can help you get "unstuck" through the consultation services offered by the Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. The Research Design Studio reached a major milestone with its inaugural pilot session in December 2025. Among the first participants was Alyssa Button, Ph.D., an early career researcher and a clinical psychologist in pediatric endocrinology at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
Hydration Heroes: How clinical expertise and research rigor are transforming student health
When a Virginia school district needed to turn a hydration policy into real-world habits, they partnered with VCU Wright Center lead Melanie Bean, Ph.D.. This wasn't a top-down approach; a Community Advisory Board of parents and teachers steered the research toward vital goals like dental health and healthy weight. Students even took the creative lead, designing "Water Hero" mascots to make hydration the "cool" choice.
Moving Beyond the Checklist: A New Roadmap for Evaluating the Heart of Team Science
Dr. Debbie DiazGranados, Director of Evaluation and Team Science at VCU’s Wright Center published a new article tackling the puzzle of evaluating teams, whos work depends on "soft" competencies, such as communication, leadership, and collaborative problem-solving, and which are notoriously difficult to measure. Her article, co-authored with colleagues at two other institutions, appeared in the American Journal of Evaluation (December 2025).
VCU analysis of millions of records reveals telehealth surge, persistent barriers to access
To understand the impact of the digital divide on modern healthcare, the VCU Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research supported a massive analysis of 21 million primary care visits. Led by Jong Hyung Lee, Ph.D., and Alex Krist, M.D., the study reveals that while telehealth use remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, persistent barriers like poverty and broadband access continue to limit its reach. The timing of the study is critical as emergency authorizations that allow Medicare to cover a broad range of telehealth services could expire in days.
VCU’s Wright Center Offers New Series to Help Researchers Communicate Their Impact
If you don’t share your research, who will? Groundbreaking work only achieves its full potential when it is shared effectively, allowing it to live outside the lab and change the world. To help scientists bridge the gap between academic study and real-world application, VCU’s Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research is proud to introduce […]
