Caitlin Peters is an administrative assistant for the Vanderbilt Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center and has worked at Vanderbilt for about two and a half years.
We sat down with Peters to learn more about her and the work she does at Vanderbilt for our school.
What do you do for the School of Medicine Basic Sciences?
I am an administrative assistant for the Vanderbilt Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center. The VMMPC performs studies for both internal and external principal investigators, and I coordinate the paperwork with external institutions so we can carry out their studies. Additionally, I manage billing, track outstanding invoices, order supplies, and handle other tasks as needed.
I also help facilitate two courses, Glucose Clamping the Conscious Mouse: A Laboratory Course and Isotope Tracers in Metabolic Research: Principles and Practice of Kinetic Analysis.
Where were you born and/or raised?
I was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It’s a great city—highly recommend it.
Why do you like working for the SOMBS?
I think the research the VMMPC is doing is incredibly beneficial. While I don’t necessarily understand all of the research, I think it’s really interesting to see what external institutions are asking the VMMPC to do, especially since our surgeons are some of the only ones who can perform these procedures on mice. They are incredible!
What is your favorite memory or project you completed during your time here so far? My favorite memories are the courses. There’s a lot of work leading up to them, especially the isotope tracer course, but seeing everything come together and watching participants enjoy their time is incredibly rewarding. I also genuinely enjoy spending those days with my coworkers. The isotope tracer course days are long, about 10–12 hours, but they’re always fun because of the people I get to work with.
Can you name a colleague who has had a positive impact on your work?
Eann Malabanan and Louise Lantier—I work directly with them, and they have helped me grow so much both professionally and personally!
What is a professional or personal achievement that you are most proud of?
My proudest achievement is how much I’ve grown over the past few years. Learning how resilient I am, taking on more responsibility, and figuring out who I am has been really rewarding.
What activities to do you like to do outside of work?
I love to read anything fantasy, watch sports, paint, and hang out with friends and family, but mostly I love playing with my three-year-old child!
What is a fun fact about you?
I am an identical mirror twin! My twin’s name is Ashley.
What person from the past would you like to meet and why?
Pat Summitt. She was a pioneer in women’s sports.