Staff

The School of Medicine Basic Sciences is a remarkable community dedicated to advancing the study of human biology, health, and disease. In addition to the award-winning faculty, postdocs, and students who are at the forefront of our cutting-edge research, a large part of our school’s success can be attributed to… Read More

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on the achievements and contributions to science made by the School of Medicine Basic Sciences community over the past year. SOMBS facilitates outstanding fundamental science research across four departments, two institutes, 10 centers, and 18 core facilities. The work of our faculty,… Read More

Meet Josh Luffman, construction and project manager in the facilities, infrastructure and risk management group within the School of Medicine Basic Sciences. Read More

Meet David Stiles, a senior financial analyst for the School of Medicine Basic Sciences. Read More

Meet Hannah Schaeffer, administrative manager for the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery. Read More

Meet Rosalind “Roz” Johnson, a graduate education program manager who is in charge of the day-to-day activities of the Human Genetics and Neuroscience graduate programs. Read More

Meet Sheila Elder, an administrative officer in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences who provides financial and administrative leadership for the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery. Read More

Meet Tracy O’Brien, an administrative assistant in the Office of the Dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences. 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