Research, News & Discoveries

  • Vanderbilt University

    Student-led research creates a publicly available mitogenomic data source for a human pathogen

    Publicly available data sources help drive progress in science, especially complete and annotated data sources. As part of a student research project, corresponding author Anne Hatmaker, a Ph.D. student in the lab of Antonis Rokas, professor of biological sciences, and first author Miya Hugaboom, an undergraduate in the Rokas lab,… Read More

    Feb. 21, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    ‘Black Excellence in Research and the Future of Diversity in Academia’ virtual event

    In recognition of Black History Month, the School of Medicine Basic Sciences’ monthly virtual Lab-to-Table Conversation will celebrate Black excellence in research and discuss the future of diversity in academia. The event will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 22, from noon to 1 p.m. CT. The discussion is free and… Read More

    Feb. 18, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    Understanding the molecules and brain circuits recruited by stressful experience

    Stressful experiences can lead to adaptive or detrimental behaviors. Understanding how stress can affect our brains can help understand basic brain function and is also essential to discerning causes and treatments for some diseases. A group of researchers led by Jeffrey Conn, professor of pharmacology at… Read More

    Feb. 18, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    Richard Sando awarded 2022 Sloan Research Fellowship in neuroscience

    Richard Sando, assistant professor of pharmacology, has been selected to receive a 2022 Sloan Research Fellowship, one of the most competitive and prestigious awards available to early-career researchers. The fellowships, awarded annually by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, honor extraordinary U.S. and Canadian scientists and scholars… Read More

    Feb. 16, 2022

  • Headshot of Beth Bowman.

    The impact of personal stories on undergraduate research career trajectory

    When considering pursuing an M.D., biomedical Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D., what knowledge could undergraduate students obtain to prepare them to decide on a pathway aligned with their interests, personality, and goals? Do undergraduates grasp what this journey as a student will look like, and what professional life afterward will entail? Beth… Read More

    Feb. 15, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt researchers discover new spontaneous signaling pathway in the brain

    The brain is constantly firing and controlling purposeful action potentials—electronic messages used by neurons to communicate with each other and allow the brain to function. Conversely, the way spontaneous neural communication happens in the brain has been found to make use of a different process. Ege Kavalali, William Stokes Chair in Experimental… Read More

    Feb. 14, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    Pietenpol named chief scientific and strategy officer

    Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD, director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), Benjamin F. Byrd Jr. Professor of Oncology and Executive Vice President for Research for Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is stepping down on June 30 from her long-held role as the Cancer Center’s director to focus on a combined leadership role… Read More

    Feb. 10, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    Core Development Grants recipients announced

    The Office of the Dean of Basic Sciences is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences Core Development Grants, which provide each awardee with up to $50K toward the purchase of capital equipment, the development of a new core technology or service, or… Read More

    Feb. 8, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    Monteggia appointed co-editor for Neuropsychopharmacology

    Barlow Family Director of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute and acclaimed neuroscientist Lisa Monteggia was named incoming co-principal editor, along with Dr. Tony George from the University of Toronto, of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology. Their appointments begin in January 2023. According to an NPP release, “Drs. George and Monteggia… Read More

    Feb. 8, 2022

  • Headshot of Chris Wright. He's wearing a black dress shirt and a gray jacket over it.

    Christopher Wright honored with 2022 Viktor Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize

    Christopher Wright, professor of cell and developmental biology who holds the Louise B. McGavock Chair, has been honored with the 2022 Viktor Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize. The award, presented by the Society for Developmental Biology, recognizes outstanding and innovative contributions to teaching and learning. Wright was nominated… Read More

    Feb. 7, 2022