By Alexandra Scammell
The School of Medicine Basic Sciences consists of a remarkable community that is dedicated to advancing the study of human biology, health, and disease. In addition to the award-winning faculty and students who are at the forefront of our cutting-edge research, a large part of our school’s success can be attributed to our staff. They work hard to ensure exceptional exploration into basic biomedical science that takes place at our school.
We sat down with a few of our staff members who told us a little about themselves: Karen Davis is the program coordinator for the Center for Structural Biology, Stephen Doster is the associate program director of academic and educational support in Basic Sciences, and Mary Gray Lindstrom is the program manager for the career development ASPIRE program and the ASPIRE Path in Molecular Medicine in the Office of Biomedical Research and Training Education.
How long have you been working for Vanderbilt?
Davis: Since 2012! I like the people I work with and the feeling of being a part of something bigger than myself.
Doster: I started working for the Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology in 2004 and I transitioned to Basic Sciences when it was created in 2016. Belief in the mission to improve human health keeps me coming in. My coworkers make the good days great and the worst days not so bad.
Lindstrom: I started in the College of Arts and Science in 2018 and transitioned to BRET in 2022. I’ve been truly so thankful for my team members, especially in the Career Development ASPIRE Program. I hope to continue to try to learn from them all!
What is your favorite project you have completed in Basic Sciences?
Davis: I’ll always remember the first symposium I worked in 2014, the “Biomolecular Structure, Dynamics and Function: Protein Membranes Symposium.” We had a dance party one night during the event. I might have done the MC Hammer dance. And no, you can’t touch this!
Doster: I interviewed long-time employees for their memories of how things have evolved at Vanderbilt since they started working here. Some of them have been at Vanderbilt more than 40 years. One of them, Fred Guengerich, drove a farm tractor at age seven. He’s now one of the most cited researchers in his field of study.
Lindstrom: The 2024 ASPIRE Career Symposium! We invited 11 alums to share their career paths and network with the students.
What is a fun fact about you?
Davis: I’m a huge soccer fan! I started coaching at Nashville Youth Soccer Association in 2006 and I currently coach two co-ed NYSA recreational soccer teams. What can I say? I love being called coach!
Doster: I have a British passport. Fortunately, I’m familiar with the language, too. And I like to write. Believe it or not, Vanderbilt’s main library has three of my non-fiction books on its shelves.
Lindstrom: My double name comes from my grandmothers, as I’m named after them. Mary Neil Lindstrom and Wilma Gray Biggs.