Biomedical engineering alumni Woon Chow, M.D., Ph.D. to deliver 2026 commencement address at the VCU College of Engineering
Biomedical engineering alumni Woon Chow, M.D., Ph.D. (B.S.‘03, B.S.‘03, Ph.D.’11, M.D.’11, H.S.’15, M.S.’24) will deliver the keynote address at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering’s 2026 commencement ceremony. Additional remarks will be delivered by chemical and life science engineering undergraduate Sarah White and biomedical engineering Ph.D. student Sydnie Tran.
At more than 500 students, this represents VCU Engineering’s largest class of graduates since its founding 30 years ago.
“Being invited to give the commencement address, especially during this milestone year, is deeply meaningful and humbling for me,” said Chow. “It feels like yesterday that I sat where these graduates are today and could not have imagined the path ahead. The opportunities I was given, and the many mentors and supporters around me made it all possible. I am truly excited to experience this full-circle moment, celebrate alongside the graduates and encourage them to stay curious, interdisciplinary and committed to making a difference.”
Chow is a physician‑scientist and clinical informatician. He earned dual bachelor’s degrees in biomedical engineering and physics at VCU while completing minors in chemistry, mathematics, electrical engineering and history. As an inaugural member of the Tau Beta Pi Virginia Epsilon Chapter, Chow helped establish the nation’s oldest engineering honor society at VCU. After completing a combined M.D./Ph.D. program at VCU, Chow also earned a Master of Health Administration, further expanding his expertise at the intersection of engineering, science, medicine and healthcare leadership.
Board‑certified in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, neuropathology and clinical informatics, Chow currently serves as deputy chief health informatics officer and staff pathologist at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System. In this role, he helps direct one of the most comprehensive health informatics services in the federal system and leads initiatives advancing digital transformation and data‑driven care.
In addition to his leadership in informatics, Chow maintains a part‑time clinical practice as a neuro‑ and ophthalmic pathologist at VCU and remains deeply engaged in patient care, research, medical education and mentorship. He also holds faculty roles at the University of Tennessee, the University of California–Riverside and Broward Health in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“Seeing our alumni return to inspire VCU engineers as they embark on this new chapter of life is part of what makes our mission of Engineering for Humanity possible,” said Azim Eskandarian, D.Sc., the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin Jr. Dean of the College of Engineering. “That personal transmission of experience from generation to generation is a great motivation for all of us.”
The VCU College of Engineering will host its graduation celebration for students on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
The VCU College of Engineering offers innovative undergraduate and graduate degree programs tailored to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving engineering field. As part of a premier research university, students are given the opportunity to perform real-world research in our state-of-the-art facilities as soon as they enroll. Browse videos and recent news to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.
Categories Alumni, General College