VCU College of Engineering

06/10/2026

Beyond Earth's magnetosphere, astronauts face a constant threat from ionizing radiation that can damage cells and increase health risks.

That's why Arvind Agarwal, Ph.D., professor and chair of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at VCU College of Engineering, is developing innovative materials designed to protect astronauts and spacecraft in the harsh environment of space.

His research uses boron nitride, a lightweight material capable of absorbing harmful neutron radiation while also resisting abrasion and erosion. By stacking layers of the material, Agarwal's team has created a stronger, more resilient coating that could help support future Artemis missions and long-duration space travel.

Read more about how VCU engineering research is helping shape the future of space exploration. https://bit.ly/4vFOcoX

06/08/2026

Presenting at the 2026 American Nuclear Society Student Conference at Texas A&M was a defining moment for VCU College of Engineering seniors Jackson Place, Blake Coghill, Joshua Piper and Ethan Villarreal.

The team showcased their capstone project to leading scholars and industry professionals from across the nuclear field — an opportunity that nearly wasn't possible for every team member. Thanks to the generosity of Irene Burlock and Joseph Holicky III, funding was provided to ensure the entire team could attend and share in this career-shaping experience.

Read how donor support helped make this unforgettable opportunity a reality. https://bit.ly/4esuJ5g

When a funding shortage threatened to sideline half of a VCU Engineering Capstone team, a targeted, last-minute donation ensured every student could travel to Texas.

06/08/2026

The celebration continues for our largest graduating class! 🎓

From Richmond to locations across the U.S. and around the globe, supporters tuned in to watch our graduates reach this milestone. No matter where they were, our students had loved ones cheering them on as they crossed the stage.

Tell us where your family and friends were watching from in the comments!

06/04/2026

Congratulations to Jessica Nguyen and Ellie Sabalewski on receiving the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Award, a prestigious honor for graduate students pursuing research.

Both are biomedical engineering alumni of VCU College of Engineering who are continuing to advance research in healthcare. Jessica is pursuing her Ph.D. at Texas A&M University, where she studies mechanobiology, tissue engineering and biomaterials. Ellie is pursuing her Ph.D. at Rice University, researching macrophages that can recognize and kill ovarian cancer cells, with aspirations of becoming a professor and advancing solutions to critical women’s health challenges.

Jessica and Ellie credit their early research experiences at VCU for helping them discover their passions and shape their academic paths. We congratulate them on this outstanding achievement and wish them continued success in their research journeys.

🔗 https://bit.ly/3QfSX9A

06/04/2026

Behind every Capstone project is a story of persistence, innovation, and countless hours of work.

We followed Team MULTI 26-613 from concept to presentation day to see what it really takes to bring an idea to life and how engineering can be used to make a meaningful impact on the world.

See their full journey at the link in our bio.

06/03/2026

Capstone is where years of learning become something real.

We followed Team MULTI 26-613 from the first stages of development to presentation day as they transformed an idea into a solution designed to make a difference. Along the way came long hours, problem-solving, teamwork, and plenty of determination.

See how their project came to life.👇
https://bit.ly/4uKkH54

Undergraduates at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Colleg...

06/02/2026

Big ideas need a place to grow.

At VCU College of Engineering, innovation isn't just something we talk about, it's something our students do every day. With support from faculty, access to hands-on experiences and a community that encourages creativity, you'll have the opportunity to turn your ideas into action.

05/29/2026

Do you have a real-world engineering challenge that needs a fresh perspective? Partner with the VCU College of Engineering Capstone Program. We are currently accepting project proposals for the 2026-2027 academic year.

As a Capstone Project Partner, your organization can:
- Collaborate directly with a team of emerging engineering talent
- Gain creative, cost-effective solutions to engineering challenges
- Provide mentorship opportunities for employees

Each student team works alongside a faculty advisor and industry mentors to design, build, and test innovative solutions to real engineering challenges.

Ready to get involved? Submit your project proposal today: https://vcucoe.edusourcedapp.com/submit

▶️ Proposal submission deadline: July 15, 2026

Questions? Contact us at [email protected] to learn more or schedule a conversation. https://egr.vcu.edu/capstone/

05/27/2026

Want to build the technologies shaping tomorrow? 🤖⚙️

Now you can at VCU College of Engineering. We’re launching Virginia’s first undergraduate degree in Robotics and Autonomous Systems Engineering this fall.

Get hands-on experience, work across engineering and in computer science, and gain the skills to design the next generation of AI, robotics and autonomous technology.

The future is being built now. Ready to be part of it? https://bit.ly/3Q3HSbC

05/26/2026

What if we could help the body regenerate muscle it cannot fully repair on its own?

At the VCU College of Engineering, Michael McClure, Ph.D., professor, is advancing regenerative medicine through decellularization — a process that uses donor muscle scaffolds to guide new tissue growth. This innovative approach has the potential to improve recovery for individuals with severe muscle injuries.

Watch the video below for an inside look at the groundbreaking research shaping the future of medicine. https://bit.ly/4umvFxz

McClure, Ph.D., an associate professor in the College of Engineerin...