Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

In keeping with the theme of this year’s Women’s History Month, this series highlights the importance and impact of mentoring partnerships between department faculty and their mentees. Kellie Carlyle, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed. specializes in health communication and health behavior theory; her research focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of health communication campaigns, media portrayals […]

In keeping with the theme of this year’s Women’s History Month, this series highlights the importance and impact of mentoring partnerships between department faculty and their mentees. Dra. Dina García is a scholar, scientist, teacher, and mentor whose impact reaches far beyond the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Her independent research focuses on uncovering […]

In keeping with the theme of this year’s Women’s History Month, this series highlights the importance and impact of mentoring partnerships between department faculty and their mentees. Sunny Jung Kim, Ph.D. is an e-health communication scholar specializing in theory-based social technologies for health promotion and their impact on the social and psychological mechanisms of behavior […]

In keeping with the theme of this year’s Women’s History Month, this series highlights the importance and impact of mentoring partnerships between department faculty and their mentees. Maria Thomson, Ph.D. is a social and behavioral scientist with interdisciplinary training in anthropology and public and population health sciences. She is an experienced community-engaged researcher, having recently […]

School of Public Health experts review how interactive technology is supporting care for cancer and substance use – and issues that must be addressed. by Maggie Christ Virginia Commonwealth University researchers are examining how artificial intelligence can enhance public health. Sunny Jung Kim, Ph.D., assistant professor of social and behavioral sciences at VCU’s School of […]

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has been awarded a five-year, $9 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to establish a pioneering Cancer Control Equity Research Center. This initiative aims to enhance the dissemination and implementation of health promotion and cancer prevention services for individuals and families residing in Virginia’s Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-administered income-based […]

Dr. Wright was honored at the 2024 Faculty Convocation on August 29th. Wright, an associate professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the School of Public Health, has earned a national reputation among the community of health disparity researchers and contributed to fostering and expanding VCU’s learning environment. She specializes in coalition […]

Dr. Brown will take over as President of the society at the International Conference on Communication in Healthcare to be held September 9th-13th. The International Association for Communication in Healthcare (EACH) is a professional society which promotes healthcare communication by providing resources and expertise for health communication education and encouraging networking between professionals. This September, […]

On June 21st, members of the Chickahominy tribe and VCU researchers came together to celebrate the completion of the project. The Chickahominy TRUTH project was headed by Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences faculty members and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers Dr. Katherine Y. Tossas and Dr. Maria Thomson. The project began when researchers were […]

The 3-year grant, funded by The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), aims to redefine obesity treatment. Dr. Jessica G. LaRose of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences has received a 3 year grant from the NIDDK for her new study, “Redefining BMI: Body, Mind, Inflammation Project.” This grant is […]