Theme: Below the Surface

Our Theme: Below the Surface - Throughout the past year our experiences, both virtual and those rare in-person times, have challenged us to seek deeper meaning and understanding. When confronted with misinformation, misunderstandings, and disbelief, we are required to go further, explore more, and breach the surface to what lies below. What will we find there? What can we learn? What big ideas lie Below the Surface?

The VCU community has big ideas and are ready to share them in our event, Saturday, April 10th at 3pm.

University Student Commons
907 Floyd Avenue
Richmond, Virginia, 23284
United States

Anna Marie "Amie" Rodriguez

Anna Marie "Amie" Rodriguez is a soon-to-be-done-with college student studying biology and creative writing. Amie is proud to be a Filipina-American and is grateful to Filipino Americans Coming Together (FACT) at VCU for empowering her to become more outspoken in advocating for AAPI issues. In her future career, she hopes to increase access to justice, education, and healthcare in underserved communities as a policy analyst. Originally from Chesapeake, Virginia, Amie misses the goats on her family's farm (and her family, she supposes) more each day. A day in the life of Amie consists of writing her novel (and screenplay adaptation), walking around Richmond, and eating (or wishing she had) sushi. She would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their endless support.

Bianca Owens

Health Psychology

Bianca Owens, M.S. is currently a doctoral student in the Health Psychology program at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a two-time alumna of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Master of Science in Community Psychology. Owens is dedicated to the well-being of people of African descent, with a special interest in supporting women. In her research and community engaged work, Owens examines sexual and reproductive health outcomes among women of African descent using an African-centered approach that considers the impact of systems of racism, oppression, and sexism on health equity. In addition to her work in academia, Owens is co-host of the All in All Podcast as well as co-founder of the All in All Network, a non-profit organization committed to empowering Black communities across identities by providing mental health, wellness and education support in order to promote positive life outcomes.

Cara Wolder

Cara Wolder is currently a student at VCU Brandcenter, following her passions of pursuing a career as an Art Director in creative advertising. She created her own undergraduate degree at San Diego State University in Interdisciplinary Studies in Three Departments of Journalism/Advertising, Art-Multimedia and Television and Film, and was awarded Cum Laude and Dean’s List at graduation in August, 2019. She is a global citizen, who possesses the natural ability to connect with people from all different backgrounds with life experience in Johannesburg, California and Israel. In her free time, she can be found upside down or flying through the air at a Calisthenics outdoor gym park. Cara's philosophy is to always be in Beta mode, constantly learning, growing and evolving as a person.

Dr. Bernard K. Means

Dr. Bernard K. Means is an archaeologist who teaches in the School of World Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He is also the director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory, where he leads teams of VCU students to 3D scan and 3D print dinosaur and Ice Age animal fossils, archaeological discoveries, and historical items for teaching, research, and public outreach. Dr. Means was inspired to research the fossils that belonged to the Founding Fathers when he went to Philadelphia in August 2016 and 3D scanned Benjamin Franklin’s mastodon tooth.

Dr. Kate Sicchio

Dr. Kate Sicchio, Assistant Professor Dance & Media Technology, VCU Kate Sicchio is a choreographer and media artist based in Richmond, Virginia, specializing in algorithmic choreography and wearable technology. She has shown work at many international venues including New York Hall of Science (US), Access Space (UK) and Inspace Gallery (UK).

Dr. Puru Jena

Dr. Puru Jena received his Ph. D. in Physics from the University of California at Riverside in 1970. After postdoctoral appointments at State University of New York at Albany, Dalhousie University, Halifax, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Northwestern University, Evanston, and Argonne National Laboratory, he joined Michigan Technological University, Houghton in 1978 as Associate Professor of Physics. He moved to Virginia Commonwealth University in 1980 and was promoted to Professor of Physics in 1982 and named Distinguished Professor in 2005. He served as Program Director at the Materials Science Division of the National Science Foundation during 1986-87 and as Jefferson Science Fellow and Senior Science Advisor at the US Department of State during 2007-08. Dr. Jena’s research covers a wide range of topics in nano-structured materials, condensed matter Physics, and materials Science. He is the author of more than 630 papers including 14 edited books. His Google citations and H index are 31,300 and 88, respectively. He has given over 500 invited talks in 32 countries, including over 250 invited talks at international conferences and has organized over 60 international conferences. Some of Dr. Jena’s many honors include Fellow of the American Physical Society; Outstanding Scientist of Virginia; Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia; Presidential Medallion, University Award of Excellence, and Outstanding Scholar from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has served as a member of numerous scientific panels at the National Academy of Sciences, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Army Research Office, Virginia Governor’s task force on green energy technologies, co-chair of the Presidential Commission on bilateral scientific collaboration between USA and Russia, and the Department of Energy Executive Committee on the “Basic Research Needs for the Hydrogen Economy.”

Hadiya Gayle

Hadiya is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she studied sociology and business. Her free time is split between reading, creating, cooking for friends and impacting lives in whatever positive way possible. During the day she’s a commercial real estate research consultant. Through this industry, Hadiya has found her niche with diversity equity and inclusion in a place that historically lacked each of those things. Networking and connecting with people on a deeper level is her passion. Hadiya is a founding member of the Nonprofit Self Love University in Richmond, Virginia and an Alumni member of Alpha Kappa Psi, Fraternity Incorporated.

Lahari Ramagiri

Lahari Ramagiri is a third-year undergraduate student at VCU, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Creative Writing. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry and performing her poems at a variety of events, from open mic nights to international webinars. Her work focuses on trauma poetry that speaks to survivors and their unique hardships. Her goal is to spread awareness about trauma as well as heal and give hope to survivors. In the future, she aspires to continue to heal people as a physician, where she will be dedicated to improving healthcare accessibility and communication.

Rachel Elliott

Rachel Elliott is a resiliency speaker, advocate, and three-time cancer survivor. With an original Leukemia diagnosis in 2008 and a most recent relapse in 2016, Rachel shares her story to a miraculous recovery against all odds. As a result, her mission is to encourage others to persevere through their life challenges with positivity, gratitude, and compassion. Her optimistic perspective and passion for life is evident throughout her personal and professional endeavors. Rachel is a proud graduate of the VCU School of Business and currently an HR professional in the Richmond area. For additional information and resources, visit https://www.rachelliott.com/.