Ken Lau

New research from the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology will unlock previously inaccessible biological secrets from over 100-years’ worth of patient samples from across the globe. Read More

The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences has named eight Ph.D. students as recipients of the 2026 Dean’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in Graduate Studies, recognizing their outstanding research accomplishments and excellence in graduate education. Read More

Department of Cell and Developmental Biology faculty are unraveling the mysteries of human cells one discovery at a time. Read More

A new study reveals mechanistic underpinnings of Crohn’s disease, including some vulnerabilities within the ascending colon. This work challenges the assumption that all regions of the gut respond similarly to inflammation, argues for region-specific treatments for the disease, and highlights a potential new target for treatment within the ascending colon. Read More

The Center for Computational Systems Biology hosted its inaugural Symposium on AI, Spatial & Systems Biology. The two-day event highlighted how emerging 3D artificial intelligence technologies are transforming biomedical research, ushering in a new era of discovery that bridges molecular, cellular, and systems-level understanding of biology. Read More

A colorectal cancer research team led by Robert Coffey has received a Specialized Programs of Research Excellence grant renewal totaling $12.6 million from the National Cancer Institute.The team has made numerous discoveries over the past 23 years, and it plans to build upon those achievements with the goal of “drugging the undruggable.” Vanderbilt-Ingram is one of only four cancer centers in the U.S. with GI Cancer SPORE funding. Read More

Recent work from a coalition of Vanderbilt labs has found clear distinctions in insulin-secreting β-cell subtypes and drawn a connection between certain subtypes and a higher risk of diabetes. Read More

The 2025 School of Medicine Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching, Extraordinary Performance of Clinical Service, and Outstanding Contributions to Research were presented during the May 30 Spring Faculty Meeting. Read More

“Joey [Simmons] is infectiously excited about science.” He loves to talk about new ideas and discoveries with anyone who will listen, and he and the grad student researchers bounce ideas off each other. From guiding the students as they navigate new roles, to introducing new techniques and cutting-edge ideas, he helps them develop their scientific skills and increase their confidence. Read More

Meet Naila Tasneem, a research technician in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology in the Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences. Read More