VCU aims to be ‘not just a national, but an international hub’ for research, VP Rao says in annual address

By Madeline Reinsel

During the annual State of the Research event this week, P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University, not only detailed VCU's robust research growth in recent years but also shone a spotlight on an ambitious new goal for the university: reaching $1 billion in sponsored research funding.

"I'm sure in a short time frame, VCU is going to not just be a national, but an international hub for research and innovation," Rao said.

On Wednesday, Rao discussed VCU's research enterprise with David Oglethorpe, Ed.D., VCU's assistant vice president for academic affairs communications, explaining how research is fundamental to the mission of VCU, from undergraduate projects to licensed innovations. He gave an overview of the university's research accomplishments and goals during the "fireside chat"-style program. In particular, Rao highlighted the achievements of VCU's researchers, and the university's bold aim to surpass $1 billion in sponsored research funding.

"Research is a critical part of our mission. It is critical to Virginia, it is critical to the Mid-Atlantic, it is critical to the nation," said VCU president Michael Rao, Ph.D., before the fireside chat. "It is critical because we lift so many human lives."

The discussion is a signature event of VCU's Research Weeks programming, a period that spans more than a month and showcases research across the university. This year, Research Weeks features more than 40 events on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses.

During Wednesday's event, P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., recognized the work of some of VCU's most notable faculty researchers. He specifically highlighted faculty members who work on clean energy and the environment; medical device and drug development; and robotics, machine learning and virtual reality. Four faculty members also received awards during the event for their commitment to undergraduate and graduate student mentorship:

• Gabriela León-Pérez, Ph.D., an associate professor of sociology in the College of Humanities and Sciences
• Séverine Lannoy, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychiatry in the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics within the School of Medicine
• Dina Garcia, Ph.D., an assistant professor of social and behavioral sciences in the School of Public Health
• Alisa Brink, Ph.D., professor of accounting in the School of Business

P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation, (right) answered questions from David Oglethorpe, Ed.D., VCU's assistant vice president for academic affairs communications, on a host of topics related to VCU's research efforts and the current research climate. (Jonathan Haff, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

During the fireside chat, Rao emphasized VCU's ability to bring research innovations to commercial enterprise. The university is the top higher education institution for licensing revenue and startups in Virginia and filed 171 patents in fiscal year 2024.

Some additional highlights of Rao's presentation included how VCU:

• Achieved 109% growth in sponsored research funding since 2018.
• Reached $568 million in sponsored research funding in fiscal year 2025.

• Ran 1,197 clinical research studies in fiscal year 2024.

Rao noted VCU has 167 faculty in the top 2% of their fields globally, according to the 2024 Stanford Elsevier report, and has 22 schools and departments in the public top 50 for National Science Foundation funding, according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings. The school is ranked No. 46 nationally in research spending among public research universities by the National Science Foundation.

Rao also acknowledged the research capabilities of the university's campus in Qatar, and the difficulties that VCU's faculty, staff and students are currently facing in the Middle East.

Rao pointed out that VCU's research enterprise has continued to grow, including a 10% increase in federal funding in 2025, despite broader federal research funding cuts. Furthermore, he said, the university will continue to invest to advance its research mission in the face of federal funding challenges.

That focus will help VCU make its way toward the university's goal of reaching $1 billion in sponsored research funding. The university has already started hiring new faculty in 16 research clusters, part of VCU's strategic research priorities plan.

"Establishing these clusters allows researchers to work across disciplines and conduct team science to address these intractable societal issues," Rao said.

But that ambitious goal isn't just about reaching a dollar amount, Rao said. As the university's research capabilities expand, so will its ability to impact human lives and better the world around us.

"That is what growth and momentum and being impactful look like here at VCU," he said.