Madhvi Venkatesh, assistant professor of biochemistry, has been appointed director of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in the Biomedical and Biological Sciences in the Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training, effective July 1. Stephanie Richards, assistant director of recruitment for biomedical graduate programs, has been named assistant professor of biochemistry on the educator track and will expand her portfolio to support Venkatesh.
Venkatesh, who has served as IGP curriculum director since July 2021, and Richards, who joined the BRET office in 2022, will succeed Barbara Fingleton. Fingleton, associate professor of pharmacology, completed a four-year term as IGP director at the end of the 2025 academic year. During her tenure, she worked closely with Venkatesh to implement a new training framework that emphasizes small-group learning and the development of lifelong learner skills.
“As curriculum director of the IGP, I have really enjoyed helping our first-year Ph.D. students build and refine skills for success in science,” Venkatesh said. “As incoming director, I look forward to playing a greater role in supporting IGP students, particularly as they go through rotations and select their thesis labs. I’m thrilled to continue working with dedicated and collaborative colleagues in BRET and the IGP/QCB team.”
In her new role, Venkatesh will oversee all aspects of the IGP student experience, from onboarding and orientation to curriculum, advising, lab rotations, and thesis lab selection. She will also collaborate with the senior assistant dean, the director of recruiting, and the admissions committee on applicant selection and will lead efforts to assess and continuously improve the program using an evidence-based approach.
“The BRET office is incredibly grateful that Dr. Venkatesh has chosen to step into the role of IGP director,” said Walter Chazin, senior associate dean of BRET in the School of Medicine Basic Sciences. “Her background and the thoughtful work she has done in shaping the current curriculum and first-year experience made her the clear choice for this leadership role. I am confident she will continue to elevate the program.”
Richards, in addition to her experience with recruitment for the IGP and Quantitative and Chemical Biology programs and her leadership of the Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy, will now coordinate Bioregulation I, the core course for all first-year IGP students.
“I’ve always found it deeply rewarding to support applicants and students as they gain knowledge and confidence in pursuit of their goals,” Richards said. “I’m excited to now contribute more directly to the first-year IGP curriculum. The collaborative spirit of the BRET office and the IGP/QCB teams makes this a great place to be.”
“Dr. Richards brings to this role a wealth of experience in education and deep familiarity with our admissions processes and student community,” Chazin said. “The entire BRET team is thrilled that she is taking on this expanded role.”
About the Vanderbilt Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
Since its inception in 1992, the Vanderbilt Interdisciplinary Graduate Program has provided comprehensive training for graduate students, bridging traditional biomedical fields. Students learn how to be creative and analytical thinkers who can tackle the quickly evolving world of research and technology.
The IGP has seen well over 2,000 Ph.D. students from all over the U.S. and the world. This year’s incoming class reflects that broad reach, with students arriving in August from Bangladesh, Ghana, Brazil, China, Ukraine, and South Korea, not to mention from across the U.S., with students representing Massachusetts, California, New York, Michigan, Louisiana, Tennessee, and more.