Tal Simmons

The EMSW Project developed as an example to the scientific community concerning the ethical and respectful analysis of ancestral human remains, public engagement, and education on medical racism, specifically towards those of African Descent. This initiative (1) addressed capacity building within the university by training a diverse community of student researchers in the ethical treatment of human remains for forensic anthropology and DNA research; and (2) allowed the building of educational capacity and learning pipelines for students in high school. This project goals remain outreach and uplifting individuals and their communities, who were (and are) subject to mistreatment. The Family Representative Council, along with VCU lab researchers, places an emphasis on communicating all aspects of the project to local Richmond High Schools, a majority of which have a high percentage of minority students of African descent. Early and positive exposure to scientific research is not often available to youth of color, especially research concerned with such complex DNA technologies. We seek to demystify the scientific process and to motivate underrepresented minority students to engage in and pursue a scientific career, all while giving them an opportunity to connect with the history of their city and community on a deeper level.