Archive: VCU Innovation in the News

Please explore past Innovation stories here

 

Navigate through our stories below

 

 

Representing medical advances and transdisciplinary research, 22 VCU researchers inducted into National Academy of Inventors

In remarks during a ceremony hosted by VCU TechTransfer and Ventures and held at Maymont, speakers highlighted VCU’s recent ranking by the National Science Foundation as a top 50 public research university and crossing the $400 million barrier in sponsored research in 2022.

“It speaks volumes of what the institution is doing to have so many people inducted into [NAI] membership,” P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation, said during the April 25 event. “Over the last few years, VCU has proven to be a research powerhouse. The unstoppable knowledge creation and the transformative innovation being carried out here is felt locally, nationally and globally.”

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Healing with a headset: Virtual Reality shows promise in treating substance use disorders

A VR program developed by a Virginia Commonwealth University and Veterans Affairs psychologist and a prominent Richmond-based visual effects artist is helping individuals with addictions and mental health conditions in guiding them toward recovery. Read the full story at VCU News.

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Spearheading efforts to reverse the toxicity of potent synthetic fentanyl

Researchers and scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health are charging ahead to find the answer to a decades-old opioid crisis that, in Virginia, now claims more lives than automobile accidents and guns combined. The most potent killer is fentanyl. Read more about the project led by Yan Zhang, Ph.D., professor of medicinal chemistry at the VCU School of Pharmacy and a member of the VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies.

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April 2023

Researcher lands $1.52 million NIH grant to prevent infections and complications in central venous catheter lines

A central venous catheter, also known as a central line, is a medical implant device that allows health care providers to deliver medication into the bloodstream, particularly the large vein that empties into the heart, without the need for many needle sticks into a vein. CVCs carry risks of infection and thrombosis, or blood clotting, which can lead to complications and result in longer hospital stays, illness or even death. Now, a division within the National Institutes of Health has awarded a $1.52 million four-year grant to a team led by Xuewei Wang, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences. The team is developing a solution to help prevent infection and complications for patients receiving chemotherapy, dialysis and other treatments through their veins. Read the full article on VCU News.

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March 2023

Virtual VCU worlds used to train, teach and treat in the real one

Across the academic and medical campuses, instructors, researchers and clinicians have turned to VR for teaching, training and patient care. Beyond a new method of learning, VR offers economic and efficiency benefits by reducing costs of training and anywhere, anytime access to academic lessons. Check out a roundup that offers a fairly comprehensive look at VR work at VCU.

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February 2023

Six VCU Inventors get funding from VCU

Drug delivery, new therapies, AI, VR. Six VCU inventors received VCU TechTransfer and Ventures' latest round of Commercialization Fund awards. Read about them here.

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January 2023

• Warner visits Perfusion Medical

• Beating the heat with Engineering students’ robotic gripper

• Changing the shape of the fight against disease

• How VR could help at-risk youth

• A helping hand for new mothers

• Scaffolding in place for a startup with immense health impact

• National Academy of Inventors names Michael Hindle an NAI fellow

Michael Hindle, Ph.D., is one of 169 distinguished academic inventors to be named National Academy of Inventors fellows. Hindle, who leads the Aerosol Research Group on the MCV Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University and holds the Peter R Byron Distinguished Professorship in the VCU School of Pharmacy, said the honor reflected the successful collaboration of the pharmacy-engineering team for the past 15 years. Read more.

December 2022

• Our Q4 2022 Launchpad Newsletter

As we close out 2022, we move forward with a new name that better reflects our expanded functions: Innovation Gateway, our name for more than 10 years, is now VCU TechTransfer and Ventures. It’s a direct statement that reinforces our mission of protecting and commercializing university IP and supporting our startup companies. Meet a few of the innovators that are leading VCU into the future.

• How virtual reality training may improve ‘blind’ surgery to treat female urinary incontinence

Using virtual reality, a collaboration across the VCU School of Medicine, VCU College of Engineering, and Central Virginia VA Health Care System looks to replace an expensive and time-intensive surgical training process for a procedure to treat female urinary incontinence. Using an application developed by computer science professor Milos Manic, Ph.D., and his doctoral students, urogynecologist Lauren Siff, M.D. is helping build a VR training application that could change the way the procedure is performed in the future.

November 2022

• Hand-and-nerve surgeon-scientist named VCU Innovator of the Year

Jonathan Isaacs, M.D., is the creative force behind Nerve Tape, a tiny biologic wrap used to repair severed peripheral nerves. Like a piece of high-tech tape with tiny, flexible embedded hooks, the wrap loops around and self-seals the nerve’s outer connective tissues — improving nerve alignment and promoting regeneration. Read more.

• Association of Public and Land-grant Universities recognizes VCU for commitment to innovative economic growth

VCU is now one of 80 “Innovation & Economic Prosperity” universities, the APLU announced Sunday at its annual conference. Earlier this fall, U.S. News & World Report named VCU among the top 30 innovative public universities in the country. Read more.

• Virginia Museum of History & Culture acquires VCU researcher's trauma care collection

Robert F. Diegelmann’s research led to a breakthrough in the products used to stop the massive loss of blood in emergencies. In June, the emeritus professor at the VCU School of Medicine donated to the Richmond-based museum a collection of 16 items related to his research into hemostasis. His efforts ultimately led to the discovery of the blood-clotting properties of sodium bentonite, an absorbent clay often found in kitty litter. Read more.

October 2022

• With a bionic nose, COVID survivors may smell the roses again

IEEE Spectrum profiles VCU researchers Richard Costanzo and Daniel Coelho, who have developed a "neuroprosthetic" to detect odors and send signals to an implanted receiver that can stimulate the brain. Read more. 

• Our Q3 2022 Launchpad Newsletter

Continuing VCU's growing national distinction as a top urban, public research university, the  latest institutional record of over $400 million for fiscal year 2022 marks a more than 47% increase over five years ago, and a 10% increase since last year.

September 2022

• VCU crosses $400 million mark in sponsored research 

VCU is a university on the move. And that move is powered by research. Our latest newsletter highlights some of this research and the inventors behind the work.

• VCU named among most innovative universities in the nation

The recognition underlines VCU’s restlessly ambitious and innovative approach to strengthening student success and to pursuing groundbreaking research that tackles the world’s toughest problems. 

• Innovation Ecosystem in Richmond-Petersburg region gets $53 million boost from Build Back Better Regional Challenge
• Phantoms on the Brain: VCU startup creates devices for treating neuro disorders

August 2022

• To fight cancer recurrence, VCU experts go right to the source

July 2022

• VCU researcher's Nerve Tape gets FDA 501(k) Clearance
• Our Q2 2022 Launchpad Newsletter

June 2022

• Six new projects receive Commercialization Fund awards
• A plastic microchip to beat rape-kit backlog
• Pursuing treatment for triple-negative breast cancer
• Quenching pharma’s thirst for more targeted aerosol drug delivery systems
• Innovation Gateway licensing manager's murals bring youth research room to life
• VCU generates $9.5 billion in economic impact for Virginia 

May 2022

• Two VCU startups get grant funding from VA innovation group

April 2022

• Eight faculty researchers inducted into National Academy of Inventors (also: view photo gallery)
• Inventor Marconi honored by Virginia Bio
• A Leap of Faith for Breakthrough Cancer Treatment
• Dynamic Duos

March 2022

• Our Q1 2022 Launchpad Newsletter
• Creating high-tech tape for fixing and aligning injured peripheral nerves
• Gauging the issues with VCU-made texting software
• Restaurants, culture…and a sedation scale. Richmond shines thanks to a VCU inte
• Nurturing VCU Startups through Partnerships
• Disabling COVID’s ‘key’ to create long-term treatment

February 2022

• When every moment counts: Meet the Perfusion Medical team revolutionizing trauma care
• VCU researcher developing methods to mass-produce eco-friendlier aerogels

January 2022 

• Our Q4 2021 Launchpad Newsletter
• Engineering professor named National Academy of Inventors fellow
• Virtual and extended reality researchers come together at VCU

December 2021

• Commercialization Fund awards support to six VCU innovators
• VCU researchers working on a face mask to kill COVID-19 virus
• A Stitch in Time: Nursing Dean revolutionizes academic scheduling
• VCU innovation and research leader honored by National Academy of Inventors

November 2021

• Closing in on a safe and effective human vaccine for Lyme disease
• November Featured Videos

October 2021

• Supporting VCU Startups: Gerard Eldering steers Innovation Gateway to venture success
• How a VCU professor's research could help provide Covid-19 therapies
• Partnership with biotech company aids VCU researcher’s quest to treat inflammation, brain injuries
• New implant that zaps brain is being created to restore people's sense of smell

September 2021

• Our Q3 2021 Launchpad Newsletter
• How VCU is helping helping patients with Parkinson’s Disease through a VR-based study
• ‘Quickest licensing deal we’ve done’ shows promise of COVID-19 therapy from VCU Engineering researcher
• Featured Videos for Fall 2021

August 2021

• Closing in on sickle cell treatment
• Bracing for success

July 2021

• Massey scientists awarded $2.3M to investigate treatment options for advanced prostate cancer
• A link in the chain: Building on his mentor’s work, Martin Safo closes in on sickle cell treatment

June 2021

• A link in the chain: Building on his mentor’s work, Martin Safo closes in on sickle cell treatment

May 2021

• Keith Boswell column: A new day in Petersburg
• BioCircuit Technologies' Nerve Tape™ for the enhanced repair of peripheral nerves: Demo Video
• Hoth Therapeutics and Virginia Commonwealth University Expand Research Agreement for COVID-19 Therapeutic
• For patients with braces, flossing teeth is a pain. A VCU student’s invention could make it easier

January 2021

• Bench to Community Educational Series - Invention Disclosures, Patent Process, and Licensing

December 2020

• Director of Engineering and Biomechanics Lab named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
• Tech Transfer Podcast: Technology Commercialization at VCU Innovation Gateway with Koffi Egbeto

October 2020

• As the temperature of ‘smart fabrics’ change, so do their colors

September 2020

• Massey researcher’s drug shows promise as a possible treatment for pancreatic cancer
• The NAI Chapter Spotlight: Virginia Commonwealth University

August 2020

• Two VCU faculty named senior members of National Academy of Inventors
• Two virtual reality projects among five funded by VCU’s Commercialization Fund
• Two at VCU named senior members of the National Academy of Inventors

June 2020

• A VCU researcher is harnessing supercomputers to unpack the coronavirus’ ‘spike’ protein

May 2020

• VCU’s Medicines for All Institute partners with industry to secure the domestic pharmaceutical supply chain
• Once a coronavirus vaccine exists, a VCU researcher's mailable patch could deliver it to millions
• VCU initiatives share faculty expertise, inventions to spur fight against COVID-19

February 2020

• New Commercialization Fund board member eager for VCU researchers to bring VR into their projects

December 2019

• AIM-HI Accelerator Fund portfolio firm receives Virginia Catalyst funding

November 2019

• Researchers honored for noninvasive eye-tracking system

October 2019

• Richmond Pilot Study For Substance Abuse Treatment Proves Successful

September 2019

• This VCU Professor’s Invention Speeds Up How Sexual Assault DNA Evidence Is Processed

June 2019

• A simple, fast, and less-costly approach to diagnosing blood cancers?

May 2019

• Software designed by VCU professor assists K-12 students with their writing 
• Trampoline park dangers new research
• fundamental knowledge of Microbes shedding new light on human health

April 2019 

• Medicinal Chemistry ranked as top VCU department for inventions

• VCU invention improves solar cell light harvesting

March 2019 

• VCU researchers demonstrate long-term cognitive benefits of fecal transplantation in cirrhosis patients. 

February 2019 

• Engineering faculty elected as senior members of The National Academy of Inventors.
• Nanopore Sensing: Detect subtle changes in single particles, in real time. 
• New research could dramatically decrease the cost of producing pharmaceuticals 

January 2019 

• DURECT Corporation Provides Corporate Update

December 2018 

• Jennifer Wayne, Ph.D., wins prestigious honor from American Society of Mechanical Engineers

October 2018

• VCU celebrates the inventor’s lifesaving contributions to wound healing

September 2018

• The Nuzzi: Providing Breastfeeding Mothers an Extra Hand

July 2018

• Developing a Vaccine for Lyme Disease

June 2018

• Higher education leaders explore a university’s role in a healthy community
• Governor Northam Announces FY2018 Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF) Awards
• VCU forensic science professor’s breakthrough in cell imaging could have a major impact in crime labs
• A new positioning system invented by a VCU professor delivers where GPS fails

May 2018

• Four professors receive $150,000 to help bring their inventions to market
• VCU researchers are developing a device to restore a person’s sense of smell

April 2018

• April 2018 VCU Innovates annual reception honors inventors

December 2017

• VCU Innovates annual reception honors inventors
• Dr. Paul Fisher inducted into the National Academy of Inventors

August 2017

• VCU researcher develops Lyme disease diagnostic and comes closer to creating a human vaccine

April 2017

• Congratulations to Dr. Barbara Boyan, Dean of VCU School of Engineering on her induction into the National Academy of Inventors
• Technology Managers, Magda and Afsar, attending THRiVE 2017 Conference organized by VaBIO in VA Beach
• Dr. Frank Gupton presenting on “Medicine for All” at THRiVE Conference

March 2017

• VCU President Rao announced the recipients of research funding through the Quest Commercialization Fund
• VCU Innovation Gateway 2016 Annual Report
• VCU Presidential Research Quest Fund is now open for applications - Final day to apply March 30, 2017
• Congratulations to Dr. Safo on receiving $600,000 equipment grant
• A novel portable device developed by VCU Inventors Dr. Gary Tepper and Brandon Dodd that can rapidly measure trace concentrations of radioactive contamination in water
• Congratulations to Dr. Shijun Zhang and Dr. Sarah Spiegel on their issues patent entitled “3-(2-Amino-Ethyl)-Alkylidene-Thiazolidine-2,4-Dione and 1-(2-Amino-Ethyl)-Alkylidene-1,3-Dihydro-Indol-2-One Derivatives as Selective Sphingosine Kinase 2 Inhibitors”. Serial No. 14/933,042
• VCU Innovation Gateway Staff Photo

February 2017

• L. Franklin Bost and Krzysztof J. Cios named American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering Fellows
• Congratulations to David Simpson, Ph.D., Gary Bowlin, Ph.D., Woon Chow, Ph.D., Raymond Colello, Ph.D., and Balendu Jha, Ph.D. from the VCU School of Anatomy and Neurobiology on their newly issued patent (US 13/394,415)
• Global Myocardial Infarction Market to reach $2 billion by 2022: VCU Inventors have discovered potential treatment for acute myocardial infarction, Dr. Abbate and Dr. Toldo

January 2017

• VCU ranked top 100 institutions dedicated to research in 2015 according to NSF
• Woon-Hong Yeo, Ph.D. receives BMES Career Development and Innovation Award

December 2016

• Updated Invention Disclosure Form
• VCU Engineering receives funding to improve access to AIDS drugs
• Barbara D. Boyan, Ph.D., elected as National Academy of Inventors Fellow

November 2016

• DoD highlights Dr. Fisher’s and Dr. Wang’s Work on Prostate Cancer Immunotherapy
• Closing Session of the NSF I-Corps program co-sponsored by VCU Innovation Gateway and the School of Engineering
• 11th Annual “VCU Innovates” Reception – Moments
• VCU celebrates creativity and entrepreneurship at annual VCU Innovates reception

October 2016

• Dr. Marconi now serving on the Global Lyme Alliance­Scientific Advisory Board
• Dr. Pidcoe speaks about The Key to Innovation today
• A quest for Distinction- Application

September 2016

• Sanyal Biotechnology competes at the Virginia Velocity Tour
• VCU Researchers use $1 million grant to test a diagnostic tool for Parkinson’s disease
• Sanyal Biotechnology Finalist at the 2016 University Start-Ups Demo Day

August 2016

• Call for Increased Research and Funding into Concussion Treatment
• Dr. Marconi Interview with NPR this weekend!
• Best University Startups: Sanyal Biotechnology
• Richmond Times-Dispatch article on Sanyal Biotechnology
• VCU News Feature on Sanyal Biotechnology

July 2016

• Tiny Tech: Electromagnetic Shielding Woven into Clothing as Protection

June 2016

• $1 million in Revenue from VCU Student Led Startups
• Washington Post Spotlight on Dr. Colello’s Magnetic Football Helmet
• NPR: VCU Builds Business on Surfboards, Sneakers, and Urban Mushrooms
• Dr. Pidcoe’s TEDxRVA is a hit!
• 3 Days Left to Support Dr. Colello’s Magnetic Football Helmet

May 2016

• Richmond Startups get guidance from Dominions Resources Innovation Center
• Dr. Frank Gupton presenting at VirginiaBrainRx Symposium
• Quest Innovation Fund
• Magnetic Football Helmet will reduce concussions

April 2016

• Dr. Peter Pidcoe Giving Talk at TEDxRVA
• VCU start-up PEG LLC featured in American Coatings Show 2016 newsletter
• Sanyal Biotechnology LLC Taking on the International Pharmaceutical Industry

October 2015

• Robotic Therapy Device Helps Challenged Babies Learn to Crawl

September 2015

• AUTM Case Study: Aes-103, pg. 7
• Helping Babies Crawl
• Three Go For It! Program Graduates Receive Additional Funding and Mentorship

August 2015

• Stopping Tick-borne Diseases with Animal and Human Vaccines
• USPTO and Smithsonian Innovation Festival — Washingtonian Magazine
• USPTO and Smithsonian Innovation Festival — Technical.ly DC
• USPTO and Smithsonian Innovation Festival — Press Release

July 2015

• Op-Ed on Innovation by Dr. Rao
• VCU to present at the Innovation Festival in Washington, D.C.
• Student Innovation and the Go For It! Program
• Patient Enrolled Clinical Trial for VCU Wound Dressing Invention

June 2015

• Diagnosing Movement Disorders with Eye Tracking

May 2015

• Spring 2015 Edition of the VCU School of Medicine Alumni Magazine
• Tick-borne Illness vaccine
• Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund Award Announcement
• Student Start-up Accelerator Program
• Clinical Trial with DURECT for Metabolic Disease Therapy
• More on Color Mapping
• Venture Creation Competition: Finding the next big business idea

April 2015

• Novel Color Mapping Software
• Translational Sickle-Cell Research
• VCU Researcher’s work in Obesity and Diabetes

March 2015

• VCU Inventor and Physics Professor Named One of Virginia's Outstanding Scientists of 2015
• VCU Inventor Awarded Prestigious Fellowship

January 2015

• VCU Contributes to Richmond’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem