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VCU Convergence awards nearly 70 faculty members $150,000 in seed grants

by David Slipher
Diverse group of people interconnected by colorful nodes, representing networking, communication, and global community.

The projects supported through the grants bring different perspectives together to tackle complex, ‘wicked problems’ that no single discipline can solve.

Finding solutions to today’s most consequential societal challenges requires collaboration between disciplines. That mission is the heartbeat of VCU Convergence, a universitywide commitment to crossing boundaries between research, curriculum and experiential learning.

To stoke the interdisciplinary fires, the VCU Convergence Team Planning Grant Program was established and has awarded $10,000 grants for 15 projects comprising nearly 70 faculty members. The unique funding model is reserved for projects of three or more full-time Virginia Commonwealth University faculty from at least two different schools or colleges that focus on problems that defy single-discipline solutions.

“The quality and ambition of these proposals show what is possible when we bring different perspectives together to tackle challenges that no single discipline can solve,” said Andrew Arroyo, Ed.D., senior vice provost of academic affairs for VCU. “By investing in transdisciplinary collaboration today, VCU is shaping the future of problem-driven research and academics.”

The partnerships help catalyze community impacts that tackle “wicked problems.” 

“Wicked problems are dynamic,” said Daniel Gutierrez, Ph.D., assistant vice provost for VCU Convergence. “If you take a single-discipline approach to the problem, you may not even notice how it is changing. The causes are interconnected, the boundaries of the problem keep moving and even defining what the problem is depends on where you stand in the system.”

Project overviews

“Adaptation and Content Validation of a Preservice Classroom Management Coaching Program via Community Partnership”

A partnership between the Department of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine and the Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education will adapt a novel preservice teacher coaching program to better prepare VCU elementary education teacher candidates to use research-based strategies to support youth with ADHD. Classroom-based strategies aim to meet the high demand for support by fostering collaboration among mental health experts, educators and school districts.

“AI-Driven Dynamic and Contextualized Reference Range Determination: For the Case of Ferritin Reference Range”

This project aims to address current limitations in determining the reference range for ferritin, the level of iron, in blood, which can lead to delayed care and poor patient outcomes. Researchers will use AI and large-scale, real-world data to derive reference ranges that are more closely aligned with actual health outcomes. By integrating expertise across disciplines, the team seeks to advance clinical decision-making and healthcare delivery.

“AI-Guided Inquiry Learning (AGIL@VCU): A Common Framework for Creating & Managing AI-Era Vertically Integrated Projects”

VCU Vertically Integrated Projects are credit-based, multi-year, transdisciplinary undergraduate research teams embedded in faculty research. These researchers will use AI-based rubrics and datasets to develop a standardized VIP Creation Toolkit and workflow automations to help guide any VCU faculty member in launching and measuring outcomes of a VIP.

“Artificial Intelligence for unRivaled Pharmaceutical Engineering: A Convergence-Based Research and Educational Approach (AIR-PHE)”

To support the future of pharmaceutical engineering AI research, educational programs and student experiential learning, this project will develop a research plan that aligns AI efforts at VCU with external funding opportunities in government and industry. The AIR-PHE team will produce a white paper and sponsor an AI in Pharma R&D and Manufacturing Symposium, slated for the fall of 2026.

“Body Intelligence: Examining Computational Algorithms from Dance and Choreography”

This initiative will investigate how to inform computational design and digital studies to offer a disruptive alternative to dominant Big Tech AI paradigms that diminish the human experience and, in particular, human bodies. Through workshops, the research will frame perception and movement as integral to how humans think and learn.

“CLAIM — Convergence Learning with AI in Medicine”

Preparing medical students not just to use AI but to evaluate it critically will shape how the technology is applied in academic and clinical practice. This work will support students with hands-on experience in building AI tools, establish guidelines for their use, develop faculty expertise and best practices, and set expectations for AI tool use in coursework.

“Decoding the Neural Architecture of Social Volition: Integrating Large-Scale Electrophysiology, Single-Cell Calcium Imaging, and Computational Attractor Modeling to Enable Therapeutic Targeting of Social Apathy”

Social apathy, the profound loss of motivation to initiate social engagement, is among the least treatable symptoms in conditions like Alzheimer’s and autism. To better understand what is happening in the brain, researchers want to develop AI models to track activity across hundreds of neurons over time to determine changes under different conditions. The findings could help determine which neural systems control the decision-making process of social motivation.

“Designing a Clinical Workflow to Integrate Nutrition Insecurity Screening”

This project aims to integrate a scalable workflow for screening and referring patients with food and nutrition insecurity into routine clinical care. To achieve this, the multidisciplinary team will evaluate existing screening tools, map out how food and nutrition insecurity screening can be integrated into existing clinical workflows, and examine key implementation barriers and facilitators from the perspectives of patients, community partners, clinicians and health system leaders.

“Engineering Biomimetic Brain Ultrasound Phantom and Deep Machine Learning Models for B-Mode Structural Fidelity and Acoustic Validation in Acute Brain Injury”

Innovation in portable brain ultrasound tools is helping practitioners identify brain conditions like bleeding or swelling on-site. But these scans can vary based on techniques and interpretations. These researchers aim to build a realistic artificial brain model that mimics a real brain when scanned, then use it to teach and test AI so ultrasound can more reliably detect brain injuries at the bedside.

“Multi-modal Medical Vision Language Models for Toxicity Prediction in Radiation Therapy Planning as a Foundation for AI-based Individually Optimized Dose Planning”

Radiation therapy is highly effective for cancer treatment, but side effects can severely impact patients’ quality of life and survival. To better target tumors and individualize treatment to maximize tumor control and minimize side effects, researchers are leveraging multimodal Medical Vision Language Models to analyze both visual (CT/dose images) and text (clinical conditions) to model complex organ toxicity. The project aims to transform radiotherapy planning into an efficient, automated and individualized process to improve treatment outcomes.

“One Health One Welfare: Meeting Community Mental Health Needs through the Human-Animal Bond”

The interface of mental health and human-animal bonding is an emerging area of social work, medicine and public health. Often, pet owners at risk of mental disorders, homelessness and trauma will forgo treatment if it impacts their ability to care for their companion animals. To address these health disparities, this project will develop curricula and service-learning opportunities to position VCU as a leader in this field.

“Project Z: Acadenap”

Researchers will prototype and support the production and sale of a student-designed, student-focused nap pod, the “Acadenap.” With an objective of improving academic success and mental health, the project will also support curricula development at the intersection of sleep wellness and venture education.

“Reimagining Health in the Age of AI: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Communication, Decision-Making, Ethics, and Care in Complex Systems” (microcredential)

This transdisciplinary team is exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping communication, decision-making and care delivery within increasingly complex health systems. They will develop a new microcredential, entitled AI for Health Communication, Decision-Making, Ethics, and Care Delivery, that will equip current and future health professionals to evaluate bias, fairness and responsible care delivery in AI-enabled environments.

“Reuse It or Lose It? Teaching Sustainability-Focused Critical Thinking, Crucial Conversations and Emotional Intelligence to Healthcare Learners in an Interdisciplinary Setting”

By examining the use of reusable versus single-use surgical instruments, this project aims to develop strategies to reduce environmental and financial waste to health systems. Through a transformative leadership lens, this team aims to foster critical thinking, mindfulness and conversation skills across disciplines to prepare future healthcare leaders for complex operational challenges. 

“VCU AI Innovation Lab: A Transdisciplinary Makerspace for AI-Driven Hardware Innovation”

The VCU AI Innovation Lab will create a shared, interdisciplinary makerspace where students converge to design, prototype and test AI-powered hardware systems. Projects producing functional prototypes will serve as natural engagement points for industry mentors, community organizations seeking technology solutions, and startup incubators looking for talent pipelines.

About VCU Convergence

VCU Convergence is committed to connecting for the common good. It reimagines how VCU fosters innovation, collaboration and real-world impact. VCU Convergence brings together faculty, staff, students and community partners across disciplinary boundaries to advance outcomes through transdisciplinary research, interdisciplinary curricula and transformative student opportunities.

This initiative is organized around six inaugural themes across VCU: Neuroscience, Artificial Intelligence, Health Outcomes, Mental Health, Neurodegeneration and Sustainability.

VCU Convergence represents what’s possible when higher education breaks barriers and operates without walls. Join the VCU Convergence email list or contact [email protected]  to get involved.

Categories VCU Convergence