Hannah Collins was selected as the 2025 Destination Biochemistry Stanley Cohen Postdoctoral Scholar, an award that recognizes outstanding early-career researchers within the Department of Biochemistry and honors the legacy of pioneering investigators who shaped the field.
“The biochemistry awards committee chose Hannah because of her experience, impactful discoveries as a graduate student, strong initiative, and the likelihood of being a valuable addition to Dr. Carter’s laboratory,” David Cortez said. Cortez is the Richard N. Armstrong, Ph.D. Professor of Innovation in Biochemistry and the chair of the department.
Collins joined the laboratory of Bruce Carter, the Natalie Overall Warren Professor of Biochemistry, in the summer of 2025. Carter said he was enthusiastic in supporting Collins’ nomination for the award.
“Hannah had fantastic training and was incredibly knowledgeable,” Carter said. “She already has some interesting and novel ideas and observations about how the Jedi-1 receptor could have a role in communication between microglia and other cells in the brain.”
Collins’ research centers on understanding how microglia—the brain’s resident immune cells—detect, engulf, and respond to dying or damaged neurons. These cells are essential for maintaining neural health, clearing apoptotic neurons, and contributing to the remodeling of synaptic connections during development and in response to injury.
“By dissecting how the Jedi receptor activates downstream signaling to drive engulfment, my work fills in key missing steps in this clearance pathway,” she said. “This deeper understanding not only strengthens our basic knowledge of microglial biology but also highlights new points where we might eventually modulate these responses to improve outcomes after brain injury.”
Having completed her Ph.D. at Oregon Health & Science University, Collins said her transition to Vanderbilt has been shaped by the institution’s culture and the Carter lab’s extensive knowledge and strength in microglial phagocytic pathways and receptor signaling.
“I’ve really valued the research environment at Vanderbilt; there’s a strong culture of collaboration and deep expertise in neurobiology,” she said. “And working in the Carter lab has been especially impactful.”
She also highlighted the opportunities to mentor undergraduate students, saying that helping trainees build early research skills is “a meaningful part” of her training experience here.
Receiving this award named for former biochemistry faculty member and Nobel laureate Stanley Cohen carries special significance, Collins said.
“His Nobel Prize–winning discoveries in growth factor biology fundamentally shaped modern cell signaling research,” she said. “Being connected to that legacy adds an extra layer of meaning to this recognition.”
Collins aims to establish an independent research program integrating molecular glial biology with models of neural injury and repair.
“Vanderbilt’s strength in both basic science and interdisciplinary neuroscience makes it an ideal place to grow toward these goals,” she said. She added that Carter’s mentorship has already helped shape her approach to experimental design, communication, and future mentorship.
For Collins, the award provides critical support at this stage of her scientific development: “It will allow me to pursue ambitious questions, strengthen my skill set, and build the foundation needed for a successful transition to independence.”
Destination Biochemistry Postdoctoral Scholars
To help drive postdoc recruitment and celebrate postdoc success, the Department of Biochemistry launched the Destination Biochemistry Postdoctoral Scholars and the Destination Biochemistry Advanced Postdoctoral Scholars programs in 2022. The programs are designed to attract outstanding postdocs to department laboratories and to support late-stage postdocs as they transition into independent investigator positions.
For a full program description and instructions on how to apply, please visit the Department of Biochemistry website.