Nancy Carrasco

Assistant Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Rafael Arrojo e Drigo will receive the 2027 Richard E. Weitzman Outstanding Early Career Investigator Award, one of the prestigious Laureate Awards from the international Endocrine Society. He is being recognized for innovative research that “has transformed our understanding of thyroid hormone biology, diabetes, and the biology of aging.” Read More

A study from the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics has shed light on the connection between obesity and hypothyroidism: Contrary to the popular belief that hypothyroidism is unidirectionally responsible for weight gain, obesity can—on its own—also lead to thyroid dysfunction. Read More

The School of Medicine Basic Sciences is launching a new lecture series: “The Kairos Lectures: Research of Consequence at the Right Moment.” Read More

Congratulations to our School of Medicine Basic Sciences faculty members who were promoted or received new appointments between July and September 2025. These individuals significantly enrich our pursuit of pathbreaking research and contribute to the growth and success of our school. Read More

Nobel Prize winner Venki Ramakrishnan delivered a captivating talk as part of the School of Medicine Basic Sciences Apex Lecture Series. His presentation was based on his best-selling book, Why We Die, which explores the biological mechanisms behind aging and death and humanity's efforts to prolong life. Read More

A pillar of this community is the female faculty who are passionate about advancing and making notable impacts on their basic sciences fields. For many, their efforts have been recognized by the highest-caliber professional societies around the world. Read More

Nancy Carrasco, MD Please join us in congratulating Nancy Carrasco, Joe C. Davis Chair in Biomedical Science and chair of the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, for receiving the 2024 Award for the Biophysics of Health and Disease from the Biophysical Society. Carrasco’s lab focuses on understanding… Read More

Nancy Carrasco, Joe C. Davis Professor of Biomedical Science, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics and chair of the department in the School of Medicine Basic Sciences, has been named the 2023 SEC Faculty Achievement Award winner from Vanderbilt University. Carrasco has made significant contributions to… Read More

A group of Vanderbilt researchers has become the first group to uncover the 3D structure of the sodium/iodide symporter, also called NIS—the membrane protein that transports iodide into the thyroid. This protein, which is critical for cell metabolism, is also integral to the most successful internal radiation cancer therapy: radioiodide… Read More

Nancy Carrasco was recently named a 2023 Biophysical Society Fellow “for her broad-reaching studies of the sodium/iodide transporter including cloning and structure determination together with its roles in physiology and disease, and her impressive service to the Biophysics community.” The Biophysical Society is delighted to announce its 2023 Society Fellows. Read More