2025 Summer
The Inside Out of Valerie LaPointe’s Story
As a kid, the VCUarts alum dreamt of little mermaids and being a Disney animator, but she found joy at Pixar as a storyboard artist, producer and now, director.
Field station of dreams
For a quarter century, VCU Rice Rivers Center has been students’ portal to the natural world, playing host to research, restoration and life-changing experiential learning — all a half-hour’s drive from Richmond.
A dose of someone else’s medicine
For patients who face disabling, even brain-damaging effects of chronic liver disease, VCU gastroenterologist Jasmohan Bajaj, M.D., reveals the promise of an ancient and increasingly accepted medicine: microbes harvested from the poop of others.
A wrinkle in the timeline
Olivia Campbell (B.S.’07) meant to be a dancer, but fate got in the way. Now she’s a science journalist and bestselling author. Her second book, “Sisters in Science,” came out last year.
Are mental illnesses brain diseases?
Psychiatric geneticist Kenneth Kendler, M.D., weighs in on an age-old question.
Magic numbers
Avanti Yamamoto (B.S.’12) on the wonderful world of mathematics
In Tom Robbins’ hand
A closer look at the first pages of his countercultural novel “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues”
Free style
Two Suit Yourself Closets, one on each campus, offer professional clothing to VCU students at no charge.
Language arts
MacArthur genius Tony Cokes (M.F.A.’86) on his ever-evolving style and creative process
Should I kill my lawn?
Amanda Montgomery (B.A.’09) offers an alternative to all that green turf
