12 p.m.

Are you at risk for high blood pressure but aren't sure what you should be doing to prevent it? Have you been dealing with hypertension for a little while but want to find easier ways to manage it? Tune in to the next Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation Lunch and Learn Facebook Live panel for practical prevention and management strategies from pharmacy and other health-care panelists. Click on the link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Madeleine Wagner at cppi@vcu.edu or visit https://www.facebook.com/VCUPharmacyCPPI/posts/754716498524176.

12 p.m.

Nathan Kottkamp, founder of Healthcare Decisions Day in the Commonwealth of Virginia, will lead a session about the importance of advance care planning. Register in Talent@VCU at the following URL. Questions: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://bit.ly/3fSj55I.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

VCU Department of Statistics will host Andrew Chapple, Ph.D., Department of Biostatistics, LSU School of Public Health. The title of his talk will be "A Novel Bayesian Continuous Piecewise Linear Log‐Hazard Model, With Estimation and Inference via Reversible Jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo." Questions: https://biostatistics.vcu.edu/news/seminar/. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL. The meeting ID is 923 1735 5766. The passcode is 364454.

For more information, contact Dipankar Bandyopadhyay at dbandyop@vcu.edu or visit https://zoom.us/j/92317355766?pwd=My9Ud2dXdU44OU9WTk92SnZobEFqUT09.

2 p.m.

Relay at VCU will have a virtual weekend-long event hosted on Instagram (@RelayatVCU) to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The event will include a Zoom Trivia Night with prizes, cancer awareness videos and a Virtual Relay 5K guide. A pizza fundraiser will be held April 20 from 11 a.m. to midnight.

For more information, contact Yumna Rahman at rahmany@vcu.edu or (804) 621-3573 or visit https://www.instagram.com/relayatvcu/.

4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will present an opportunity to learn about Haiku and other poetry styles from Japan. Share your poems and have your voice heard. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiana Ingram at ingramtd@vcu.edu or visit https://linktr.ee/vcuomsa.

4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Gregory Smith, Ph.D., Queen's University, Canada, will review general methods for certifying a polynomial is nonnegative in a talk that is part of the Mathematics and Applied Mathematics Colloquium Series. A multivariate real polynomial is nonnegative if its value at any real point is greater than or equal to zero. These special polynomials play a central role in many branches of mathematics including algebraic geometry, optimization theory and dynamical systems. However, deciding whether a given polynomial is nonnegative is a hard problem. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Nicola Tarasca at tarascan@vcu.edu or (804) 248-6046 or visit https://sites.google.com/vcu.edu/math-colloquium.

Monday, Apr. 19, 2021 from 11 a.m. to noon

The Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will present a workshop to explore the imbalances of participation and include a conversation about how cultural assumptions might influence student interaction and their level of engagement. Participants will then explore strategies for a teaching redesign to encourage full participation and accessibility for all students. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/izU4NLvFfSPvSuxP9.

Monday, Apr. 19, 2021 from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Interested in serving as a student organization advisor? Register for the Underground’s advisor informational session at the following URL.

For more information, contact Donté Sharpe at dsharpe2@vcu.edu or (804) 997-9125 or visit http://cglink.me/2dV/r1081799.

Monday, Apr. 19, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

NFT and Tether founder Craig Sellars will discuss his experiences in the crypto space at a session hosted by the Blockchain Club at VCU. He will also talk about NFTs and their importance. An NFT, a nonfungible token, is a unit of data stored on a digital ledger, called a blockchain, that certifies a digital asset to be unique and not interchangeable. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Connor Riely at rielyc2@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/97063099478.

Monday, Apr. 19, 2021 at 4 p.m.

VCU's Humanities Research Center will present Aspen Brinton, Ph.D., who will discuss her book, "Philosophy and Dissidence in Cold War Europe," and how it is relevant to contemporary political movements. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Catie-Reagan Palmore at palmorecr@vcu.edu or visit https://humanitiescenter.vcu.edu/events/meet-vcus-authors-aspen-brinton-phd.html.

Tuesday, Apr. 20, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.

Los Angeles-based composer Antonio Teoli will discuss his work for games and films at a presentation hosted by VCUarts. Known as the Brazilian pioneer on game music, since 2003 Teoli has worked as composer and audio director at Devworks, Hoplon, We Love Quiz and Samsung Black River Studios and also with his own company, Andromeda Sound. Teoli has scored nearly 500 game soundtracks for platforms such as PC, Web, Mobile, PS4 and others. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Filipe Leitao at leitaof2@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/guest-speaker-tony-teoli/.

Tuesday, Apr. 20, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and University Counseling Services will host a presentation by Mijin Kim, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, about the prevalence and common sources of mental health issues, mental health stigmas and how to dismantle mental health stigmas within the communities of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mijin Kim at mkim9@vcu.edu or visit https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsc--rqjwoHtOsgXjnqZ3GBvazEu_0L56Z.

Tuesday, Apr. 20, 2021 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Storytelling and Healing and Democracy Matters at VCU will host a virtual storytelling and open mic event via Zoom in conjunction with Minority Health Month. Student presenters will share personal stories, narratives, artwork and testimonies of lived experiences. Click on the following URL for the Zoom link.

For more information, contact Elysia Lin at lineh@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/97403531494.

Tuesday, Apr. 20, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Active Minds at VCU will host a session at which individuals in the health care industry will discuss how they and their colleagues handle their mental health in light of the pandemic. A dentist, physician, counselor and others are scheduled to participate. A Q&A will follow. Questions: Email activeminds4vcu@gmail.com. Click on the following URL for the Zoom link.

For more information, contact Rachel Bastien at bastienrd@vcu.edu or (757) 759-3101 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/99917477540.

Thursday, Apr. 22, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be an engineer at Amazon? Are you curious about current cutting-edge research and development in such areas as Quantum Computing, Cloud Service Development, Enterprise Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing? SPIE (International Society for Optics and Photonics) and OSA (Optical Society of America) student chapters at VCU are hosting the event. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact M A H Sojib at sojibma@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/VuF7iCMzrR3932ab7.

Thursday, Apr. 22, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Two groups, Secretly Y'all and Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, will facilitate a session about having difficult conversations. Secretly Y’all will share real-life stories from people who have helped bring forward understanding. Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities will explore key tools for embarking on brave conversations. The event is part of a speaker series co-sponsored and organized by VCU's Center for Community Engagement and Impact. Register at the following URL. Questions: rvaengage.org/civicaction.

For more information, contact Katie Elliott at elliottkl@vcu.edu or visit https://planrva-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Pprar6nDTMeCOy40xngWyg.

Thursday, Apr. 22, 2021 at 7 p.m.

VCUarts Dance and Choreography will host FINESSE, a virtual performance experience featuring the senior capstone projects of five emerging performers and choreographers. The event will also be staged at 7 p.m. April 23. Questions: https://arts.vcu.edu/community/news/finesse-spring-senior-project-concert/. Click on the Zoom link for this free event at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lea Marshall at lemarshal@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/99251029141.

Friday, Apr. 23, 2021 from noon to 1:15 p.m.

VCU's Office of Military Services will offer an online Green Zone training for members of the VCU community who wish to learn more about the military student experience. Green Zone training promotes a greater understanding of the challenges military students may face as they transition from military life to student life and the strength and leadership that these students bring to the VCU community. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact William (Tres) Morley at wemorley@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6563 or visit https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=17778.

Sunday, Apr. 25, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

VCU Opera will livestream excerpts with orchestra and piano from the last 10 years. Scenes will be presented from "Hansel and Gretel," "The Gondoliers," "The Magic Flute," "Trouble in Tahiti," "The Marriage of Figaro," "A Little Night Music," "The Consul," "The Merry Widow," "Porgy & Bess" and "The Pirates of Penzance." Co-directors Melanie Kohn Day and Kenneth Wood will host the event. Click on the following URL for the link.

For more information, contact Melanie Kohn Day at mkday@vcu.edu or (804) 389-3238 or visit http://go.vcu.edu/concerthall.

The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native American in Science, SACNAS, is an inclusive student organization dedicated to help Hispanic and Native American students achieve academic success in STEM. Check out the organization's new website at the following URL highlighting the stories of underrepresented VCU students striving in the STEM field.

For more information, contact Vanessa Vergara at sacnastvcu@gmail.com or visit http://sacnasatvcu.com.

A draft of the policy on University Recognition Through Naming is available for public comment by April 21. The draft policy can be found at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jason Block at blockj2@vcu.edu or visit https://policy.vcu.edu/universitywide-policies/policies-open-for-public-comment/.

A draft of the policy for Endowed Faculty Chairs and Professorships is available for public comment by April 21. The draft policy can be found at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jason Block at blockj2@vcu.edu or visit https://policy.vcu.edu/universitywide-policies/policies-open-for-public-comment/.

Amnesty International at VCU is recruiting talent for its virtual Jamnesty concert on April 30. All forms of art are welcome. Additional details can be found at the following URL.

For more information, contact Myia Samuels at samuelsma@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc66GmuBFV3xhtimNzfsWvD9wxwCIDdKA5hcHezA3FuTTZwQQ/viewform.

Hear My Voice, an archive of stories from survivors of sexual violence, is now accepting submissions.

For more information, contact Hope Hack at hackh@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3jsvLBFJtDp-AfGi8lVe7gPDvzDXU1bdVF0zt9QgcQebO1Q/viewform?usp=sf_link.

STEM faculty from biology, chemistry, engineering and mathematics at VCU will join the “Champions for Change” Learning Community and work with STEM colleagues from VCU, John Tyler Community College and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College to improve the educational outcomes of transfer students by developing and implementing strategies for inclusive teaching and transformative pedagogical practices. The effort is sponsored by the VCU Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence Award. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Dianne Jennings at dbjennings@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWy03a37Njzv-pqPAmjSay5JYnQHfdJEJ1T4mNGb2YTo53ew/viewform.

VCU Libraries is recruiting participants for remote focus groups conducted via Zoom to provide feedback and direction on new web pages to serve as starting points for different types of library users, including undergraduate students, graduate students and staff/faculty. Users will receive a $20 Visa gift card for up to one hour of their time. Interested? Sign up at the following URL. Or contact Ashley Brewer, web and user experience librarian, with questions at abrewer2@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Gregory Kimbrell at kimbrellgg@vcu.edu or (804) 393-2951 or visit https://bit.ly/3a7smTP.

Throughout the week of April 19, VCU's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program will host the virtual and asynchronous annual VCU Symposium for Undergraduate Research. Each student will have a web page with research abstract, video presentation and interactive comment section. Video presentations will make up the sessions for all presentation types and disciplines.

For more information, contact Herb Hill, Director of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry, at hhill@vcu.edu or visit https://vcuurop.studentopportunitycenter.com/.

The BMSF Diversity in Clinical Trials Career Development Program has released a call for applications to fund emerging investigators' need to conduct clinical trials that will yield the development of new treatments that are effective in all populations. Applicants must hold the degree of M.D., M.D./Ph.D., D.O. or D.O./Ph.D. and have an interest in clinical research in the areas of cancer (hematology and oncology), cardiovascular disease and immunologic disorders. Applications are due no later than July 1.

For more information, contact Glenny Escotto at escottog@vcu.edu or visit https://www.masseycancercenter.org/.