Leadership

Senior Leadership

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  John Kuriyan

  Dean of the School of Medicine Basic Sciences

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  Charles Sanders

  Vice Dean of Basic Sciences

  Professor Chuck Sanders

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  Walter Chazin

  Senior Associate Dean, Biomedical Research Education and Training

  Walter Chazin, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Professor of Chemistry, and Chancellor's Chair in Medicine in the School of Medicine.

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  Vivian Gama

  Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusive Mentoring

  DEI website

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  Tina Iverson

  Associate Dean for Faculty

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  Claudia Paz

  Chief Business Officer, Associate Dean for Finance and Administration

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  Amy Major

  Faculty Director for Immersion Vanderbilt for the School of Medicine

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  Tiffany Lawrence Givens

  Chief of Staff, Assistant Dean for Administration

  Tiffany Lawrence Givens is the assistant dean for administration. In her previous position as director of human resources, a position she has held since May 2022, Lawrence Givens played a pivotal role in developing and implementing the organizational structure of the school. Her strategic approach has enhanced operational efficiency across units and among faculty and staff. As assistant dean for administration, Lawrence Givens will add high-level strategic and operational leadership to the School of Medicine Basic Sciences.Lawrence Givens joined the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in November 2015. During her tenure, she was promoted to senior administrative assistant for human resources. In this capacity, she routinely reviewed department operations to improve processes in a frequently changing environment. In July 2017, Lawrence Givens transitioned to the university as a human resources professional for the School of Medicine Basic Sciences and was promoted to director in May 2022. Throughout this time, she demonstrated adeptness in developing strategies and communications that enhanced Basic Sciences HR policies and processes.Lawrence Givens served as University Staff Advisory Council president from 2021 to 2022, vice president from 2020 to 2021 and membership committee co-chair from 2019 to 2020. She has been a member of the Basic Sciences Dean’s Mental Health and Wellness council and the Vanderbilt University Staff Women’s Advancement and Equity council since both were established.Before joining Vanderbilt, Lawrence Givens held roles in accounting, recruiting, and marketing. She was an academic adviser and assistant director of advising at Loyola University Chicago from 2003 to 2011.Lawrence Givens received her master of science in human resources from Loyola University Chicago and her master of education in human services and counseling from DePaul University.

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