Denise Zannino Childree, PhD’09, was interested in science from a young age. Her fascination with the brain led her to major in biology and psychology and an eventual Ph.D. in neuroscience. Childree, who grew up in Richmond, Virginia, joined the lab of then-Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Bruce Appel in 2003 and graduated with her Ph.D. in 2009.
After earning her Ph.D., she spent several years at the U.S. National Science Foundation, where she led high-impact communications initiatives at a national level (do you recall the 2019 announcement of the first image of a black hole? Childree was behind that.). Childree is currently the director of communications and strategic engagement at Zannino Engineering, Inc., a geotechnical engineering firm, leading all internal and external communications, supporting marketing and business development efforts, and identifying opportunities to strengthen the company’s engagement with clients and the broader community.
We sent Childree some questions about her training and her career, and here are her alum answers.
Were there any unexpected twists or turns in your career journey? How did your biomedical education prepare you to navigate those challenges?
More than just one! I have gone from bench science to science policy and communication, and now I’m leading communications for an engineering firm. Some of these transitions were intentional, while others were less so, but each has been both rewarding and impactful. The most notable unexpected twist in my career journey was the opportunity to lead communications efforts for major national announcements, such as the first image of a black hole.
My biomedical education at Vanderbilt University prepared me well for these shifts. Through my training, especially the mentorship I received in Bruce Appel’s lab, I developed resilience and perseverance, learned the importance of understanding and communicating with different audiences, and built the ability to critically think about the data and information presented to me. These skills have allowed me to navigate each transition with confidence and to continue building a meaningful and evolving career.
How has the interdisciplinary nature of your Vanderbilt biomedical education played a role in your ability to collaborate with professionals from different fields?
My graduate training was inherently interdisciplinary. My lab was connected to multiple departments and programs, including the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, and the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program, and we regularly engaged with the broader zebrafish research community. This exposure gave me a strong appreciation for how different scientific disciplines approach problems and communicate ideas.
That foundation proved especially valuable during my time at the U.S. National Science Foundation in the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs. In that role, I worked across a wide range of scientific and engineering fields, helping communicate the importance of research spanning everything from astronomy to zoology. It required the ability to engage effectively with scientists from different disciplines, as well as translate that work for policymakers, the media, and the public.
This experience reinforced my ability to collaborate broadly, both across technical fields and with non-technical audiences, which continues to be central to my work today in my current role in the engineering field.
What activities organized by Vanderbilt and/or the Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training had the most significant impact on your career path? Were any pivotal moments or decisions in your career influenced by your experiences at Vanderbilt or with BRET?
Several experiences at Vanderbilt had a meaningful impact on my career path. The Vanderbilt Brain Institute’s outreach activities during Brain Awareness Month, in particular, sparked my early interest in science communication and public engagement, interests I would later pursue professionally through the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship and in my subsequent work at the NSF.
I also found the guidance and resources provided by the BRET Office invaluable as I began exploring career paths outside of academia. Those conversations helped introduce me to opportunities like the AAAS fellowship and gave me both direction and confidence as I made that transition.
Coming full circle, I’ve since had the opportunity to engage with the BRET ASPIRE program, including as an invited speaker talking on a science policy panel at the 2021 ASPIRE Career Symposium. I’ve also participated in events with Vanderbilt students and postdocs visiting Washington, D.C., for a STEM Policy Seminar. It has been especially meaningful to share my experiences and support students and postdocs as they explore similar career paths.
Did the networking opportunities provided by Vanderbilt and/or BRET contribute to your professional connections and career advancement? How so?
Yes! Vanderbilt’s networking opportunities had a meaningful impact on my career. I joined Vanderbilt through the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program alongside a cohort of approximately 80–90 students. I have maintained both personal and professional relationships with many of those colleagues over time.
That network has been especially valuable during key transitions in my career. For example, when I was applying to the STPF, I drew on the experiences and advice of fellow Vanderbilt alums who had gone through the process. Not surprisingly, several Vanderbilt alums were also part of my fellowship cohort, which further strengthened those connections.
Those relationships have provided ongoing support, insight, and a sense of community well beyond my time at Vanderbilt.
Looking back, what advice you would give to current biomedical students or postdocs based on your own experiences and the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
Get out and try things! Even if you think you know what you want to do next, exploring different experiences can provide valuable perspective. If you’re unsure, it’s a great way to broaden your understanding of the many paths available to you. Don’t be afraid of some twists and turns along the journey.
What’s something fun, quirky, or unexpected about you that people may not know?
I once helped build and run a national student science competition—an incredibly fun but intensive experience—that unexpectedly led to things like working with Wil Wheaton and Stan Lee, and even moderating a panel at New York Comic Con.
Which of the following do you prefer: fancy belt buckles, patterned socks, or color-coordinated outfits?
Definitely patterned socks, I have an entire drawer full!