Class of 2026: Neha Veeramalla keeps psychology and mentorship at front of mind

By Haley Tenore

In high school, Neha Veeramalla discovered an academic path forward in a familiar way. At Virginia Commonwealth University, she extended it in similar fashion.

Her first mentor - her International Baccalaureate teacher at Henrico High School - sparked her interest in the wide-ranging field of psychology. More support came in VCU's Department of Psychology, part of the College of Humanities and Sciences, where Veeramalla knew that making connections would be key to navigating the expansive opportunities.

"Mentorship and guidance are really going to be the most important thing that I can suggest to any undergraduate student," Veeramalla said. "Just introducing yourself can go a long way."

The Class of 2026 graduate went a long way at VCU, where her recognitions included induction into the Psi Chi honor society for psychology students as well as the Outstanding Junior Award from the Department of Psychology during her second year. And those honors reflect a commitment to research and patient care that will power Veeramalla's future studies - no doubt with guidance from trusted sources.

"I think that's one of her greatest strengths - just her willingness to put herself out there and ask for mentorship," said psychology assistant professor Morgan Reid, Ph.D. "I've really been impressed by her ability to roll with things through resilience. Even when something doesn't go her way, she likes to pivot immediately and finds a new opportunity, a new thing to do remarkably."

After a post-graduation gap year, Veeramalla hopes to enroll in a clinical psychology graduate program to pursue her passion of serving understudied and underserved populations. Meantime, she plans to work as a research coordinator at VCU School of Nursing, building on the experiential learning she embraced as a VCU undergraduate - on campus and off, while contributing to a pilot study serving maternity care deserts in Virginia.

Veeramalla's research journey included work in the Social Psychology and Neuroscience Lab, led by associate professor David Chester, Ph.D., as well as serving as a research assistant with the Central Virginia VA Health Care System with Scott McDonald, Ph.D., where she established connections with military veterans with spinal cord injuries. She is planning to present a poster at the 2026 Academy of Spinal Cord Injury conference with her research at the VA. She also was involved in studies related to substance use and pregnant and postpartum women in the Addiction and Women's Health: Advancing Research and Evaluation Lab led by Dace Svikis, Ph.D., a professor in the departments of Psychology, Psychiatry and Obstetrics/Gynecology, and she recently presented a poster at the 20th Annual Women's Health Research Day on substance use, mental health and pain catastrophizing in women with chronic pain.

"I personally love the versatility that I have been involved with so many labs, because each one is so different in terms of the populations that they work with," Veeramalla said. "I think the diversity has made me a more well-rounded and competent scholar and researcher."

It also nurtured her interest in the field of clinical psychology, which grew as she interacted with individuals who have specialized needs. In summer 2025, Veeramalla worked as a direct support professional at a day support program for individuals with disabilities. In the fall semester that followed, she interned with Delivering H.O.P.E., a Richmond-area service that treats patients with mental health conditions, including substance use issues.

"That made me not only more culturally competent about the field and about the people, but it really highlighted what the people actually experiencing it are dealing with and what they're thinking," she said.

Veeramalla also hopes another interest - business - is reflected in her pursuits. She earned a minor in business in the School of Business and was involved with the Women in Business at VCU organization, and she envisions integrating business and clinical psychology during her career.

Veeramalla is enthusiastic about continuing to grow the community she built at VCU with her new involvement with the School of Nursing, and she is grateful that her VCU experience will extend a journey whose focus has sharpened through coursework, research and mentorship, as well as the support of friends and family.

"It continued to fuel me to keep going on that path, confirmed to me that I'm on the right path and I'm doing the right things," Veeramalla said. "If I did not have the support and the people that I have in my time at VCU, I would not be where I am."