Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a public research university located in Richmond, Virginia. Founded in 1968 through the merger of the Medical College of Virginia and the Richmond Professional Institute, VCU offers more than 200 degree programs in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Currently, the university enrolls over 31,000 students in undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and professional programs. VCU strives to conduct research that will advance our understanding in a variety of domains and improve the health of individuals within the community.
ABCD Study at the Virginia Commonwealth University
VCU is one of 21 institutions nationwide enrolling families who wish to participate in the ABCD Study and is one of only four unique sites inviting twin families to take part as well. While each and every family who participates in the ABCD study are extremely important to this invaluable research, twin pairs provide additional insight to help unravel how certain environmental and genetic factors impact brain and cognitive development. The Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry (MATR) of VCU is the initial point of contact for twin families who wish to be a part of this exciting project. All of the families who enroll in the ABCD Study may complete their in-person study visit at the Collaborative Advanced Research Imaging (CARI) Facility or the Virginia Treatment Center for Children (VTCC).
Click here to learn more about our Study Procedures.

Bernard Fuemmeler, PhD, MPH
Ecological Momentary Assessment
Health behaviors

Shawn Jones, Ph.D.


Mike Mason, Ph.D.
Mobile Tech
Social Networks




Albert Arias, M.D.

Roxann Roberson-Nay, Ph.D.

Christina Sheerin, Ph.D.

Luis Fernando de Araujo, M.D., Ph.D.

Chelsea Sawyers, Ph.D.

Lisa Straub

Olive Calonge

Noah Slattery

Melissa Avila
Izzy Bedichek

Joseph Gauntlett

Rachel Gordon

Jennifer Gwilt

Diamond Stevenson
Temidayo Adebo

Lesley Boadu

Sofia Fasciolo
Kharma Hall

Vivian Johns

Veda Parvathaneni
