KL2 Scholar alum earns $1.9M, 5-year NIH grant to study molecule with far-reaching implications
Guizhi “Julian” Zhu, Ph.D., a Wright Center KL2 Scholar alum and assistant professor in the VCU School of Pharmacy Department of Pharmaceutics, was awarded a five-year grant totaling $1.9 million to study a molecule with implications for the treatment of cancer, genetic diseases and more. The award, which started on Sept. 18, will fund Zhu […]
Wright Center launches long-haul COVID-19 study with the help of twins
Virginia Commonwealth University is launching a study of the impact of COVID-19 on twins to try to determine why some people experience symptoms much longer than others. The Twin 360 project, which began this week, will help researchers understand the genetic and environmental factors for why some people experience lasting symptoms after contracting COVID-19. And […]
Ten years later: How the KL2 Program at the Wright Center trained a generation of research leaders
More than a decade ago, the VCU Wright Center inaugurated its first class of KL2 Scholars, a cohort of talented junior faculty members looking to advance the world’s knowledge of health through clinical and translational research. Since then, 14 researchers have enjoyed the mentorship, protected research time and general support of their research careers that […]
“It’s time to step up and learn”: Community advocates and health care providers connect on LGBTQIA+ disparities
Zakia McKensey struggled to find doctors who would treat her. The Richmond native came out to her mother at 16 years old and was kicked out of the house. She found a family in the LGBTQIA+ community, but health care for transgender people like herself was almost nonexistant, and patients were subjected to frequent discrimination. […]
Facing rising overdoses, VCU Health strengthens bridge between urgent ER care and long-term addiction services
Emergency departments across the United States experienced a surge in opioid overdose cases during the pandemic. Now, a program at VCU Health aims to help those patients receive the treatment they need after they leave the emergency department. The new VCU Health Virtual Bridge Clinic creates a direct link between the emergency department and treatment […]
COVID-19 survivor and trials participant looks forward to traveling again
When Linda Thompson retired from the Virginia Department of Transportation in 2019, she started a new job the next day — getting fit. “My new job was going to American Family Fitness and getting in the pool and doing water aerobics,” said Thompson, 72. “I was really in bad shape when I retired. So it […]
Cocaine use disorder, asthma and conduct disorder: Wright Center funds three pilot projects
The Wright Center has awarded three VCU researchers grants from the CCTR Endowment grant program for health sciences research. The awards support preliminary studies that enable researchers to develop hypotheses, collect preliminary data and establish methods necessary for successful external funding. Rebecca Martin, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, was awarded […]
Gretchen Neigh joins the Wright Center as new co-director of the Ph.D. program
The Wright Center has named Gretchen Neigh, Ph.D., the new co-director of its Ph.D. program. Neigh is an associate professor in the VCU School of Medicine’s Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology and comes to the Wright Center with a wealth of teaching and mentoring experience, as well as research spanning across multiple systems and levels […]
Clinical trial may have helped COVID patient beat life-threatening pneumonia
Paul “Pee-J” Beverly doesn’t remember being airlifted to VCU Health from Lexington, Va., last fall. In fact, he doesn’t remember much of his COVID-19 experience at all. But his girlfriend, Angela Griffin, does. “It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever been through,” she said. “Not being able to see him, barely being able […]
“[Trading] our privilege and power for perspective:” Disparities in maternal health bring together community advocates
Tyrah Vann worked in health care for seven years and holds a Master’s degree in public health. She knew about the health disparities for women of color during pregnancy, birth and post-birth. “However, I still fell victim to it,” she said. “Twice.” Her first baby spent two days in intensive care after Vann’s extreme pre-birth […]
