Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 18, 2026

This is the website of the Biodiversity Research Lab, led by Dr. Catherine Hulshof at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). The site shares our research, publications, teaching resources, and opportunities to join or collaborate with the lab. We do not sell products, run advertising, or sell personal information.

Information we collect

Information you send us. If you email us or submit a form on this site (for example, to ask about joining the lab or collaborating), we receive the details you provide, such as your name, email address, affiliation, and message.

Basic usage data. This site is hosted on Squarespace, which automatically collects standard technical information such as IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, and referring website. We view this only in aggregate to understand how the site is used.

Cookies

Squarespace uses cookies that are necessary for the site to work and, where enabled, cookies for site analytics. You can block or delete cookies through your browser settings; the site will still be readable.

How we use information

We use the information you send only to respond to you and for lab-related purposes, such as reviewing inquiries about positions, mentoring, or research collaborations. We do not use it for marketing, and we do not sell, rent, or trade it.

Sharing

We do not share your personal information except with the service providers that operate this site (Squarespace), with VCU colleagues when needed to respond to your inquiry (for example, graduate admissions questions), or when required by law or university policy.

Third-party content and links

Some pages embed or link to content from other services, such as YouTube, GitHub, LinkedIn, Instagram, and journal websites. Those services may collect information under their own privacy policies, which we encourage you to review.

Data retention

We keep correspondence only as long as needed for the purpose it was sent, or as required by VCU records policies.

Your choices

You may ask us to tell you what information we hold about you, or to correct or delete information you have sent us, by contacting us at the address below.

Children

This site is intended for a general academic audience and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised.

Contact

Questions about this policy can be sent to Dr. Catherine Hulshof at cmhulshof [at] vcu [dot] edu.