Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

By Olivia Trani for VCU News Based in the School of Public Health, the center will unite expertise across VCU to advance the science of gun violence prevention and translate evidence into strategies that save lives. The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Public Health has established the Center for Gun Violence Research to advance the […]

Jessica LaRose, Ph.D., F.S.B.M., was awarded the endowed chair this month by Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is professor and chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences in VCU’s School of Public Health and holds several lead roles in cancer prevention and control-related initiatives at Massey. LaRose was instrumental to Massey and VCU […]

VCU’s Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center has received a new, $1.65 million grant from the American Cancer Society to establish the Cancer Health Engagement and Action Research (CHEAR) Center. This Center will aim to reduce cancer disparities across central, southern, and eastern Virginia, and is led by Massey Director Dr. Monica Baskin. The initial project for […]

Dra. Dina García has many roles within the department, school, and university. She is a scientist, with a program of research focused on uncovering the underlying causes and mechanisms of oral health inequities. She is an activist, working in partnership with communities to make meaningful change. She is an educator, committed to equity-driven, student-centered pedagogy […]

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center was recently awarded a $2.7 million Worta McCaskill-Stevens K12 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The five-year grant will allow Massey to mentor promising, multidisciplinary, early-stage clinical investigators in the conception, development, and implementation of innovative cancer prevention and control studies designed to optimize participation by cancer survivors […]

Jessica LaRose, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, received the School of Public Health’s 2026 Professional Achievement Award at VCU’s Women in Science, Dentistry, and Medicine Annual Leadership Conference this April. This award honors her achievements in leadership, scholarship, and mentorship in service to her department and the School […]

During this year’s promotion and tenure cycle, Dina García, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed., was promoted to associate professor with tenure. García joined the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences in 2018 as an assistant professor. In this role, she directs the Kalpulli Research Group and teaches graduate courses on community-based participatory research, health disparities, and social justice. In 2024, she […]

In observance of Cancer Control Month, established in 1943 to bring awareness to those battling cancer and cancer survivors, we’re highlighting some of the ongoing research by students and faculty in the department. Malik Phillips, M.P.H.PhD CandidateDissertation title: “Examining Patient–Provider Communication and Medical Mistrust Among Black Male Cancer Patients“ This qualitative study will include 50 […]

During VCU’s State of the Research event on April 8th, hosted by Vice President for Research and Innovation Dr. P. Srirama Rao, Dr. García was honored along with four other faculty members for her outstanding mentorship of students. Regarding Dr. García’s nomination for the award, a faculty colleague said “Dr. García’s dedication to developing confident, […]

The theme of this year’s Women’s History Month is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” This year, Women’s History Month recognizes women who are leading the way toward lasting changes for global challenges, including those beyond environmental concerns. As an exemplar of this theme, we are highlighting the POWER project (Academic PI Jessica […]