Virginia Commonwealth University is gearing up to launch its first-ever Innovation Month in April, a celebration of creators, innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurship across the institution."Innovation is at the heart of every VCU education, and this Innovation Month recognition is a terrific way not only to celebrate what’s happening throughout VCU today but perhaps spark that next great idea," expressed Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.The month-long event aims to spotlight the creativity, ingenuity, and...

According to a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, US banks increased their capital ratios well before the Basel III reforms required them to do so. Research economist Jan-Peter Siedlarek noted that banks preemptively raised their capital ratios rather than waiting for the rules to become binding.The report highlighted that larger and better-capitalized banks took the lead in increasing their capital ratios before smaller and less-well-capitalized banks. However, on average, banks of all sizes notably boosted their regulatory capital ratios between 2009...

Investment funds managed by Morgan Stanley Capital Partners (“MSCP”) have successfully completed the sale of World 50 Parent LLC and its subsidiary companies to a single asset GP-led continuation fund investment vehicle. The continuation fund is backed by investments from Pantheon, Blue Owl Strategic Equity, Lexington, Norwest, Ares Management Funds, AltamarCAM, and Churchill.Adam Shaw, Managing Director and Head of Business Services at MSCP, expressed pride in the transformation of World 50, stating, “We believe World 50 is a unique business model with multiple levers...

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Consumer Finance Institute (CFI) has launched the Labor, Income, Finances, and Expectations (LIFE) Survey and today published the first report in the quarterly series, which summarizes the latest survey results.According to Bob Hunt, senior vice president and associate director of CFI, "The LIFE Survey is designed to be agile, so that CFI can gather timely information from consumers even when there are sudden, rapid, or unusual shifts in the economy."The survey, which gathers data every quarter from a large cross-section of...

The Yale Peabody Museum reopened its doors to the public after a four-year renovation, offering a transformative experience for visitors. Sofi Robles, a fifth grader, expressed her amazement upon seeing the Brontosaurus skeleton, saying, "I knew dinosaurs were big, but I didn’t know they were that big. I love it!"New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker highlighted the museum's importance in the community, stating, "It’s an awesome new space that is particularly inspiring because it’s so welcoming to the community." The museum, now offering free admission, aims to make its exhibits...

In a world where sifting through extensive government reports can be a time-consuming and daunting task, a group of students from Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, under the guidance of Professor Chris Goranson, has developed an innovative AI tool to streamline this process.The tool, named GovScan, aims to revolutionize the way government workers navigate through mountains of data in search of specific information. As described by team member Davis Craig, GovScan is likened to the 'Control F' search function on steroids,...

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine recently held its Match Day event, where graduating students eagerly learned which specialties and hospitals they had matched to for their residency training. The event was filled with excitement and celebration as the Class of 2024 awaited their results.Associate deans Nicole Deiorio, M.D., and Chris Woleben, M.D., shared some impressive statistics from this year's match, including a 99% overall placement rate for the class. Additionally, 59 students will stay in Virginia for their residencies, with 37 of them...

Columbia Nursing recently hosted an event titled “Art in the Time of Crisis: Still Rising,” where members of the community came together to explore the role of art in times of distress. The event was part of the Values in Action initiative launched by President Minouche Shafik and Interim Provost Dennis Mitchell, DDS, to reinforce the university's core values and mission.The original initiative, "Art in the Time of Crisis," was started by Janine Inez, DNP ’22, and Alden Bush, DNP ’22, to provide a platform for students and faculty to express their emotions and experiences...

A family of Pteranodon sternbergi, winged reptiles from the Late Cretaceous, has taken up permanent residence in the entrance lobby of the newly renovated Yale Peabody Museum. The life-sized models of these prehistoric creatures are set to welcome visitors when the museum reopens on March 26 after a four-year transformation.The decision to feature Pteranodon sternbergi in the museum's lobby was inspired by the fact that renowned Yale paleontologist and Peabody founder O.C. Marsh discovered the first Pteranodon fossils. According to Peabody Director David Skelly, "Given...

NBC White House correspondent and Virginia Commonwealth University alum, Aaron Gilchrist, recently shared his insights with students during a Q&A session at his alma mater. Gilchrist emphasized the importance of journalism, stating, “Our job is to watch people in power and make sure there’s an awareness about what’s going on.”During the session hosted by VCU’s Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture, Gilchrist spoke about the art of storytelling in journalism, highlighting the blend of science and art in the profession. He expressed his passion for meeting people...

New research from the Yale School of Medicine (YSM) has found that pregnancy may accelerate aging, but with a surprising twist. The study, published in Cell Metabolism, reveals that while pregnancy initially increases biological age, there is a significant reversal of this effect in the postpartum period.Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) Assistant Professor Kieran O’Donnell, PhD, led the research team in utilizing epigenetic data from a unique pregnancy cohort to measure biological aging using 'epigenetic clocks.' O’Donnell explained, "From early to late pregnancy,...

VCUarts alum and muralist Emily Herr has brought a burst of visual flair to the Shafer Court Dining Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. The colorful addition to Richmond's mural scene, spanning two stories, is a celebration of campus life and the shared experiences of those who dine at Shafer.Herr, who designed the mural, aimed to create something universal yet deeply personal, stating, "Food is universal, but it’s also deeply personal. It brings us together, connects us and creates memories." The mural showcases colorful food and dining elements with the message...

Irvine, Calif., March 21, 2024 – A University of California, Irvine-led study has revealed groundbreaking insights into the origins of birth defects, offering new possibilities for early detection and prevention strategies.Published in the journal Science Advances, the study identified key genetic interactions during early embryonic development that shed light on birth defects like Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Co-author Stephenson Chea highlighted the significance of the findings, stating, “Our data suggest that Nipbl and Nanog are more than just necessary players in early...

Morgan Stanley Private Credit (“MSPC”) announced today that several of its investment funds have led a $220 million recapitalization for Grass Valley, a leading media technology company. The recapitalization aims to strengthen Grass Valley's balance sheet and expedite investments in software and integrated hardware solutions, enhancing its cloud-native media platform.Peter Ma, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley Private Credit, expressed the firm's support for Grass Valley's growth, stating, “We are pleased to be Grass Valley’s financing partner and support the company in...

The University of Rochester has named Andrea Tompkins Wright as the inaugural associate vice president for real estate, portfolio management, and planning. Wright, an attorney and leader with over 15 years of experience in real estate, will lead the real estate strategy for the university's on- and off-campus spaces starting March 25.According to Elizabeth Milavec, the EVP for administration and finance, CFO, and treasurer at the University of Rochester, "Real estate strategy has always played a vital role at the University and its Medical Center, but it is particularly...

An optics professor explains how eclipse glasses protect your eyes from the sun’s light during an eclipse. Properly protecting your eyes during a solar eclipse is crucial for avoiding long-term damage to your vision. In anticipation of the total solar eclipse happening in Rochester, New York, on April 8, 2024, James Zavislan, a professor of optics and of biomedical engineering and an associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Rochester, wants everyone to understand the risks involved and how to have a safe, enjoyable eclipse experience.Zavislan, an expert...

Eckart Frahm, a renowned expert on the Assyrian Empire, has been appointed as the John M. Musser Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Yale University. Frahm's expertise and contributions to the field have been recognized through this prestigious appointment.Frahm's extensive knowledge and dedication to ancient Mesopotamian history and culture are evident in his body of work. His most recent book, "Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Empire," has garnered attention and praise, being reviewed in publications like the Wall Street Journal and...

A family of Pteranodon sternbergi, winged reptiles from the Late Cretaceous, has taken up permanent residence in the entrance lobby of the newly renovated Yale Peabody Museum. David Skelly, the Peabody Director, highlighted the historical significance of the Pteranodon fossils, stating, "Given that famed Yale paleontologist and Peabody founder O.C. Marsh discovered the first Pteranodon fossils, we thought it fitting to have them welcoming people into the museum."The life-sized models of the Pteranodon family, including a male, female, and their two babies, will greet...

MIT researchers have developed a groundbreaking system known as "FeatUp" that revolutionizes the capabilities of computer vision algorithms. According to Mark Hamilton, a co-lead author on the project, the traditional challenge faced by modern algorithms is losing fine-grained details while processing information. He explains, "The big challenge of modern algorithms is that they reduce large images to very small grids of 'smart' features, gaining intelligent insights but losing the finer details."FeatUp addresses this challenge by allowing algorithms to capture both high-...

Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced a groundbreaking memorandum of understanding with the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) to promote civic engagement and voter registration in Michigan. The agreement, running through Jan. 1, 2036, marks the SBA's first-ever collaboration of this kind.In a statement, Administrator Guzman emphasized the importance of democracy in economic success, stating, “Protecting and strengthening our democracy is critical to our economic success and a core goal of the Biden-Harris...