42nd annual faculty convocation celebrates six VCU role models

By Amelia Heymann

Role models of research, teaching and community uplift were celebrated Thursday at Virginia Commonwealth University's 42nd annual Faculty Convocation.

"We have a faculty that is filled with great minds," President Michael Rao, Ph.D., said in opening remarks. "But we also have a faculty that fundamentally is committed to using their hearts to help drive how they use their minds to help other people live their lives."

He emphasized the connection between that faculty commitment and the learning and success of VCU's 28,000 students.

"And that's really important because these are the folks who are the next generation of society builders," Rao said. "They might be the next generation of people who take communities from the bottom to the top of their experiences."

Convocation was held at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, and it featured the following six faculty honorees for 2024:

University Award of Excellence

William L. Dewey, Ph.D., School of Medicine

Dewey, a professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the School of Medicine, has been with VCU for 52 years, joining the university in 1972. He is most known for his pharmacological research on the acute and chronic effects of opioids.

"William Dewey believes in the power of science to change the world, one discovery at a time, and in the passion, perseverance and teamwork that he has found at VCU," said Aimee Grover, M.D., interim senior associate dean for Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development in the School of Medicine.

Dewey said his research aims to expand knowledge based on the work of predecessors, and for every discovery or success he makes, a whole team helped him, built from VCU's impressive community.

"You can do anything with a good group of people," Dewey said.

Distinguished Scholarship Award

Yan Zhang, Ph.D., School of Pharmacy

Zhang, a professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry in the School of Pharmacy, has focused his research on the design, synthesis and development of small-molecule modulators of neurological disorders and exploring their applications in treating substance use disorders.

He leads a team of VCU researchers from multiple departments in two large National Institute on Drug Abuse grants, which aim to put forward molecules for understanding the role of the mu opioid receptor.

Zhang said curiosity drives his research, and he has always been fascinated by how a small molecule can help cure many diseases. He thanked his teammates - including high school, undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students - who have worked in his lab over the past 20 years.

"Your energy and curiosity inspire me and keep me working every day," he said.

Distinguished Teaching Award

Shelli Fowler, Ph.D., College of Humanities and Sciences

Fowler is an associate professor in the Department of English in the College of Humanities and Sciences.

"A great education also prepares you for what wasn't on the test. That's what English professor Shelli Fowler does for her students," said Catherine Ingrassia, Ph.D., dean of the college.

Fowler said she is motivated by the opportunity to stimulate students' intellectual curiosity.

"They need to be adaptive to have complex problem solving, no matter what field or areas or career they're thinking about," she said. "The goal of this is to create both critically engaged citizens and career-ready professionals, because that's what's required - not a multiple-choice test."

Fowler recently piloted a new course, Reading Race, that introduces students to literature and essays in cultural contexts, to foster a learning environment that develops their understanding of the complexities of race and the history of racism. She said she co-creates a learning community with her students, broadening the depth and breadth of their perspectives in whatever their major may be.

Distinguished Service Award

Charlene D. Crawley, Ph.D., College of Humanities and Sciences

Crawley is an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry in the College of Humanities and Sciences, director of the B.S. in Interdisciplinary Science program and coordinator of the Emerging Scholars program.

The 10th child in a family of 13, Crawley said her fourth-grade science teacher made her feel like she belonged in the classroom. That motivated her to become a chemist - and to create an environment that promotes inclusion.

"Success for me means that I left people who were proud to be who they were and were able to perform optimally at what they did," she said.

Crawley is a VCU alum, and her leadership on the college's Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee resulted in the development of sustainable initiatives that strengthened the college's commitment to equity and inclusion. She also has made an impact beyond campus.

"Dr. Crawley recognizes the importance of a mutually respectful relationship with the local

community and has led several activities supporting VCU's community engagement mission," Ingrassia said. "I can think of no other faculty who has provided so much service tirelessly and consistently."

Outstanding Early Career Faculty Award

Xuewei Wang, Ph.D., College of Humanities and Sciences

Wang, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry in the College of Humanities and Sciences, has established an interdisciplinary research program that is recognized globally for groundbreaking science that could improve human health.

As a child, Wang said, he enjoyed drawing beautiful Chinese characters. Later in middle school, he realized that chemical sensors are as beautiful in how they can translate into diagnosing and managing diseases.

His research focuses on portable, wearable, implantable and microfluidic chemical sensors for monitoring health and diagnosing illness. Instead of using blood glucose, his monitors focus on electrolytes.

"While such research is highly interdisciplinary, VCU especially encourages and supports collaborations between different departments and campuses," Wang said. "That's how I converted chemistry to real medical devices."

Outstanding Term Faculty Award

Marcie S. Wright, Ph.D. School of Public Health

Wright, an associate professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the School of Public Health, specializes in coalition- and capacity-building for research through Community-Based Participatory Research approaches.

Wright noted that someone's ZIP code can impact their health more than their genetic code. To truly address disparities in minority health, the social and structural determinants of health must be addressed. This includes where people live and whether they have a primary care provider.

"The goal of my work is to remove these social and structural barriers that impede people from living their best, healthiest lifestyles, as well as to empower the next generation of future health disparities and minority health researchers," Wright said.

She encouraged people to embrace the challenge and reward of change.

"I believe in your potential to make a difference," Wright said. "Continue to fight for what you believe in, and never allow others to define what success should look like for you."

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