11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity and the American Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive at the Pace Center, 700 W. Franklin St.

For more information, contact Logan Martin at martinle6@vcu.edu or visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive.

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This session focuses on the use of augmented reality to create Snap Chat filters that use facial recognition. Those who attend are encouraged to install Snap Camera and Lens Studio (both available for free) in advance of the workshop. The event will be hosted by the VCU Libraries Workshop. See details at the following URL.

For more information, contact Gregory Kimbrell at kimbrellgg@vcu.edu or (804) 393-2951 or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2020-2021/wednesdays-in-the-workshop.html.

4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The VCU Honors College will host Bill Newmann, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, for a Berglund seminar. Newmann will discuss the rise of the U.S. as a global leader since the end of World War II and how under the Trump administration, the U.S. has been withdrawing from that role. He will also examine how the outcome of the 2020 election will affect that shift in leadership. Contact the following email address for the event link.

For more information, contact Jared Johnson at jajohnson4@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

VCU Libraries houses a number of graphic novels that have been used as key resources to discuss topics of health and wellness. In this session, Research and Education Librarian Talicia Tarver and Library Specialist for Comics Arts Cindy Jackson explore these resources and share a list of suggested readings. Contact the VCU Libraries Development Office at libdevelop@vcu.edu for the Zoom link.

For more information, contact Gregory Kimbrell at kimbrellgg@vcu.edu or (804) 393-2951 or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2020-2021/community-zooms.html.

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

VCU's National Scholarship Office will host a session about funded opportunities for postgraduate study in the United Kingdom, Ireland, China and at Stanford University. Questions: Email natlscholar@vcu.edu. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Meredith Sisson at mrsisson@vcu.edu or visit http://blogs.vcu.edu/natlscholar.

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A Clinical Research Skills Series (CReSS) workshop will be offered by the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research from 3-4:30 p.m. Feb. 11 and 9-10:30 a.m. Feb. 17. The workshop will be sponsored by the Translational Workforce Development Program. It will be presented by Katelyn Schifano, MS, CCRP, CHES, Outreach and Engagement Specialist with VCU Massey Cancer Center. Topics will include VCU/VCUH participant demographic data, recruitment challenges, engaging participants and developing a recruitment plan. Register for the Feb. 11 workshop at https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=17685. Register for the Feb. 17 event at https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=17686. This workshop will not cover Research Match.

For more information, contact Catherine Brown at crbrown@vcu.edu or (804) 366-9513.

Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 at noon

VCU Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis (cMEDA) will hold a networking session via Zoom. Those who attend will have the opportunity to meet cMEDA members and discuss their work and yours. Students, post-docs and faculty interested in the microbiome sciences are encouraged to attend. Click on the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jeff Donowitz at jeffrey.donowitz@vcuhealth.org or visit https://zoom.us/j/93427415911.

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 from noon to 12:45 p.m.

Join the Office of Student Experience as guest speaker Paul Perrin, Ph.D., will discuss how national events influence patients of color and their perceptions of clinical care. Explore the policies and practices in non-health sectors that have impacts on health and health equity. The session is designed with health sciences students in mind. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Office of Student Experience at studentexp@vcu.edu or visit https://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/vphs/OSEReg/Form.aspx?EventTypeID=13.

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's Biomedical Engineering will host Angela Harrivel, Ph.D., LaRC ExMC Center Lead Exploration Medical Capability NASA Langley Research Center. Harrivel will discuss "Applications of BME and Human Performance Monitoring at NASA." Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rene Olivares-Navarrete, Ph.D. at ronavarrete@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CsE6fr28TH2fpAYsg4S0iw.

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Salma Omer, Ph.D., an undergraduate alumna of VCU's Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Scholars Program, will be featured in the center's monthly Alumni Spring Speaker Series. The series includes a diverse selection of alumni from the VCU Center on Health Disparities Research Training Programs. Speakers will discuss their experiences and career paths as underrepresented minorities in the biomedical sciences. Questions: https://healthdisparities.vcu.edu/. Click on the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Khiana Meade at khiana.meade@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-0719 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/98731295826.

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The first step to a good podcast isn’t a good podcast idea. It’s a good podcast pitch. If you are just starting out, you may not know the difference. If you are working on your pitch, you might need some help with refinement. This session will be led by Chioke I’Anson, Ph.D., VPM + ICA Community Media Center's director of community media.

For more information, contact Stephanie Stanton at stantons@vcu.edu or visit https://icavcu.org/events/developing-your-podcast-pitch/.

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 at noon

Learn how to track spending and establish savings goals at a program hosted by VCU HR, VCUHS HR and Virginia Credit Union about practical advice for creating and sticking to a budget. Register in Talent at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://bit.ly/2O4lJd3.

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will provide foundational information about SOTL as distinct from exceptional teaching and scholarly teaching. The workshop will explore how to get started as a SOTL scholar and publish pedagogical innovations. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/BF4JxDaAeYXemPPWA.

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Three teams of youth will present their research findings on eviction and housing instability in Richmond. The teams were formed through a partnership between VCU's School of Social Work and the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs' RVA Eviction Lab with three community organizations: Advocates for Richmond Youth, Six Points Innovation Center and Virginia Community Voice. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alex Wagaman at mawagaman@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b-ijQCK7Tl6rbCb-7oRL6w.

Tuesday, Mar. 16, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

VCU's Center for Corporate Education presents its Understanding Your Strengths program online for Spring 2021. Take a look into your unique strengths with the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment, which is included in registration for this class. Visit the following URL or e-mail corp-ed@vcu.edu for more information.

For more information, contact Carrie Hawes at cjhawes@vcu.edu or (804) 828-3165 or visit http://go.vcu.edu/corped.

VCU's Office of the Provost is calling for fellowship proposals for funded undergraduate/mentor research collaborations during the summer of 2021. The VCU Fellowships provide support for research in all disciplines, including the iCubed research cores, community-engaged research and clinical/translational research. Descriptions of each Fellowship opportunity and submission guidelines are available at the four following URLs. The deadline for application is March 10. Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Summer Fellowships, https://provost.vcu.edu/initiatives/urop/urop-fellowship/. Undergraduate Fellowships for Clinical and Translational Research, https://provost.vcu.edu/initiatives/urop/cctr/. Undergraduate Fellowships for Community Engaged Research, https://provost.vcu.edu/initiatives/urop/community/. Undergraduate Fellowships for Inquiry, Inclusion and Innovation, https://provost.vcu.edu/initiatives/urop/icubed/.

For more information, contact Herb Hill, Director of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry at urop@vcu.edu.

Do you know an outstanding administrative and office support staff member who enhances the image and mission of VCU and VCU Health? The nomination site for the Dorris Douglas Budd Award is now open. Questions: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/recognition-and-awards/. Submit nominations at the following URL by Feb. 28.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSek6puAneAZfuUcM9e27g3iLdnhG0qj2y4SKVJ-lbArkqRIuw/viewform?usp=sf_link.

New Student and Family Programs will host a virtual "Rams Got Talent" show. All students, faculty and staff may submit talent for the show, which will be broadcast on-demand on Feb. 18. Submissions may include recordings of live performances, pictures of individually created works or a poster or infographic of work or research. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lynanne Yndestad at newrams@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/FfBr1mJfSwyhnRsm6.

Are you unable to attend class at some point this semester? Instead of canceling class, provide students with an interactive module from the Health Promotion and Well-Being Center (The Well). These self-paced Canvas modules are geared to provide nonjudgmental tools and resources to stay well. Choose from such topics as managing stress using mindfulness, bystander intervention, self-care and more. Request a Health Foundations Learning Module at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mia Liadis at liadisa@vcu.edu or visit https://thewell.vcu.edu/programs/request-a-program/.

The Graduate School Association seeks applicants for its Executive Board for the 2021-2022 academic year. Review the association's bylaws and responsibilities at its RamsConnect page.

For more information, contact Ann Kee at gsa@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSciwvIQpNh1kCTeaXwxpAfNs64svl-Dvkli9WA4oCWYwMSbrg/viewform?gxids=7628.

Alice Quach, a graduate student in the Sociology Department, is recruiting participants for a research study on how undergraduate and graduate students are experiencing the pandemic. Interviews will be conducted over Zoom and identities will be confidential. This research is geared toward helping improve understanding of the impact of the pandemic and the barriers that students are facing.

For more information, contact Alice Quach at quacham@mymail.vcu.edu or (434) 227-2042.

VCU's ASPEN Lab (Advanced Signal Processing in Engineering and Neuroscience) is enrolling individuals for a study involving virtual reality and EEG brain signal measurements. Participants must be 18 years or older and in good general health with no pre-existing serious medical conditions. Dates and times for participating are flexible. Questions: Dean Krusienski, Ph.D., principal investigator, at djkrusienski@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Meghan Kumar at kumarm2@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1890 or visit https://sites.google.com/vcu.edu/aspenlab/home?authuser=0.

This study will assess what factors impact undergraduate college students’ decision to start, stop or continue mental health services when they come to college. You will be asked to complete a set of demographic questions about things like your age, gender identity and racial/ethnic identity. Then, you will be asked to complete questions about your living arrangements during the school year, your personal attitudes about mental health care, what type of mental health services you have received. If applicable, you will also be asked to answer questions about your involvement in religious institutions. Your participation in this study should take no more than 30 minutes. Questions: Jared Keeley, Ph.D., at jwkeeley@vcu.edu. To participate, visit the following URL.

For more information, contact Shea Wenzler at wenzlersk@vcu.edu or visit https://vcupsych.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dooaLt0E01d2zfU.