The School of Medicine Basic Sciences has seen remarkable and diverse trainees come through its doors, collaborate with and learn from distinguished faculty, then graduate from one of our nationally ranked departments. But where are they now?
They go on to become leaders at notable institutions, universities, governmental entities, and research and development companies, among others. Some of the places where our alums work include the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Pfizer Inc., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to name but a few. And some even decide to stay at Vanderbilt!
Kaitlyn Browning, PhD’24, who graduated with a degree in biochemistry and is now a scientific program analyst for the National Institutes of Health.
We sat down with Browning to discuss her experiences studying basic science and how it played a role in her career path.
Graduate program: Biochemistry
Graduate lab: Houra Merrikh
Current role: Scientific program analyst for the National Institutes of Health
How did Vanderbilt help with your career path?
Vanderbilt has high expectations for its students, and I was excited and empowered by the challenge to meet and surpass those expectations. I particularly appreciated that the Quantitative and Chemical Biology program was designed to meet students where they were at in terms of scientific knowledge and support students’ growth.
In addition, the Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training provides meaningful, impactful opportunities for students to learn about careers outside of academia—and not just a few different sectors, but numerous and varied potential paths that could lead students to success in whatever they choose to do. BRET helps students realize that no matter what they want to do with their education from Vanderbilt, it is valid, possible, and meaningful.
How did the networking opportunities at Vanderbilt contribute to your professional connections and career advancement?
I had the opportunity to go on a career exploratory/networking trip with BRET to Washington, D.C., in my penultimate year. After meeting many professionals and learning about shared experiences, my decision to pursue the career path that I ultimately chose solidified.
Can you share a pivotal moment or decision in your career that was influenced by your experiences at Vanderbilt or with BRET?
It may sound cheesy, but the first-ever decision I made in my career was influenced by my experience with BRET and Vanderbilt. I decided that I didn’t want to stay in academia. I knew I was capable of this change because the BRET team validated my choice and equipped me with the tools, skills, and experiences to get there, just like they would have if I had decided to stay in academia.
Were there any specific mentors or professors who played a crucial role in shaping your career aspirations?
My Ph.D. committee was important to my success at Vanderbilt. Throughout my training, they would highlight the things that I’m good at (and, of course, the things I needed to work on). This objective perspective helped me to think about what career paths might best capitalize on my strengths and what I could continue to work on to reach my goal.
Were there any unexpected twists or turns in your career journey?
A difficult part of biomedical science, and science in general, is that you don’t always know what the outcome of your experiments will be. You have to continuously think of new ways of answering questions because not everything works the way you think it will. This change of expectation and need for adaptability takes a remarkable amount of creativity and perseverance, and because of my training, I came out a much more resilient and tenacious scientist. These skills now transcend every other area of my life, but especially in my current role and in my professional life broadly. Working well and closely with others is another key experience that I value from my time at Vanderbilt.
In what ways did your involvement in additional projects or internships during your time at Vanderbilt contribute to your current success?
I participated in a few internships while at Vanderbilt, and these were paramount to my success since graduation. Spending time at the bench designing and performing experiments was important to my training, but these internships provided opportunities to develop transferable skills that I just was not able to in the lab. I also got to try new things and explore what makes me excited. I believe that these experiences were crucial while I was on the job hunt, and I continue to draw on many of these experiences and skills in my position now.
How has the interdisciplinary nature of biomedical research training played a role in your ability to collaborate with professionals from different fields in your career?
Because of my interdisciplinary biomedical research training, I find it very easy to work with colleagues and collaborate with others from different fields. I don’t see “different fields,” but rather, I recognize what brings us together in light of our differences and how those can be maximized to better solve problems and find creative solutions.
What advice would you give to a student studying basic sciences?
Never lose the big picture. Also, you’re doing much better than you think you are.