Nicholas Thomson, Ph.D., named Associate Dean for Research for VCU School of Public Health
Established research leader will guide the School’s growing research enterprise, strengthen support for investigators and expand collaboration across VCU and Virginia.
The VCU School of Public Health (SOPH) has named Nicholas Thomson, Ph.D., as its first permanent associate dean for research, effective September 1, 2026.
The appointment comes as the School enters an important phase of growth and invests in the leadership, infrastructure and partnerships needed to expand the reach and impact of its research enterprise.
Thomson is a professor and research psychologist at VCU and currently serves as director of research for the Injury and Violence Prevention Program at VCU Health. A federally funded investigator, his work focuses on the biopsychosocial factors that contribute to violence and behavioral health challenges and on the development, evaluation and implementation of scalable prevention strategies for young people.
“Dr. Thomson brings the combination of scientific accomplishment, collaborative leadership and innovative thinking that our School needs at this stage of its development,” said Monica Swahn, Ph.D., M.P.H., dean of the VCU School of Public Health. “He understands how to bring people and disciplines together, support investigators at every stage of their careers and move strong ideas toward meaningful impact. His leadership will be central to building the research culture and infrastructure that will propel our School forward.”
Throughout his career, Thomson has worked across academic, healthcare, forensic and community settings to translate research into practice. His work spans youth violence prevention, behavioral health and technology-enabled interventions. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and has led federally funded research totaling more than $22 million.
Thomson is also the founder and CEO of Arche XR, a Virginia-based technology company that develops evidence-based virtual reality interventions designed to strengthen youth mental health and expand access to behavioral health support. His experience building partnerships across research, healthcare, community and entrepreneurial settings reflects the collaborative and translational approach he will bring to the new role.
As associate dean, Thomson will provide strategic leadership for the School’s research portfolio and help create an environment in which faculty, staff and students can develop ambitious ideas and successfully move them forward. His priorities will include strengthening research development and grant support, supporting investigators and interdisciplinary teams, expanding community-engaged and cross-university partnerships, and creating additional opportunities for students to participate in consequential public health research.
“I am honored to serve as associate dean for research and to lead the next phase in the growth of the School’s research enterprise,” Thomson said. “VCU’s strength lies in combining the capabilities of a major research university and an academic health system with the knowledge and priorities of communities throughout the Commonwealth. By investing in people, strengthening the infrastructure that supports investigators and expanding strategic partnerships, we can create the conditions for innovation, attract new research investment and translate high-impact research into action that produces measurable improvements in health across Virginia and beyond.”
Thomson earned his Ph.D. in developmental psychopathology from Durham University in the United Kingdom.
Learn more about SOPH’s research efforts and achievements here.
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