Department of Biochemistry

BPSA Newsletter Archive

At the beginning of every month, the BSA releases a newsletter bringing the department the latest news, department publications, upcoming events, fun surveys, and Trainee of the Month features.

2023: January August

2022: January February March April May June July August September October November December

2021: January February March April May June July August September October November December

A DEI Conversation with Dr. Manuel Ascano

Manuel Ascano discusses his career path, “imposter syndrome,” and other topics in this blog!

Wellness Map!

The Vanderbilt Office of Student Care Coordination and the Vanderbilt University Counseling Center provide mental health services for all students. Services can be established at any time and there is no limit or cap on the amount of appointments or services. View this Wellness Map for details.

Biochemistry DEI Blog!

WATCH: Vanderbilt celebrates Juneteenth!

Please click here to view our “Conversations with Vandy Biochemistry: Celebrating our Differences and Shared Experiences”: interviews with our fellow colleagues on topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Graduate Student Program Application

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Interested in applying to become a Biochemistry Graduate Student? Click here for more information!

Biochemistry News!

Osheroff receives Distinguished Teacher Award from Association of American Medical Colleges
As a professor of biochemistry and medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine for more than 40 years, Osheroff is the longest serving course director currently teaching medical students. He also codirects the preclerkship phase of the medical school curriculum and leads the Master Science Teachers cohort, a role established in 2007 to recognize VUSM’s […]
Biochemist Martin Egli elected to the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
For his outstanding achievements, including investigations directed at nucleic acid structure, DNA bypass polymerases and the circadian clock, Martin Egli has been elected to the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. The academy is dedicated to innovative research, interdisciplinary and transnational collaboration.
Vanderbilt scientists, research translation experts attend CMT Global Research Convention
School of Medicine Basic Sciences researchers at the forefront of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease research and therapeutic development join CTTC leadership at CMT Research Foundation global research convention. The CMTRF has invested in further research at Vanderbilt to address the primary genetic cause of disease in patients with CMT disease type 1A.
Foundation funds research to block drug resistance in cancer treatment
The Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation has awarded a three-year grant to support research led by Houra Merrikh, PhD, professor of Biochemistry, and Ben Ho Park, MD, PhD, the Benjamin F. Byrd Jr. Professor of Oncology and director of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, to create an anti-evolution drug to reduce the capacity […]
Basic Sciences names Hodges, Siciliano as Dean’s Faculty Fellows
Emily Hodges, assistant professor of biochemistry, and Cody Siciliano, assistant professor of pharmacology, have been named Dean’s Faculty Fellows of the School of Medicine Basic Sciences.
School of Medicine’s Neil Osheroff wins prestigious MILES Award
Neil Osheroff, John G. Coniglio Chair in Biochemistry and professor of biochemistry and medicine, received the Mentoring, Innovation, and Leadership in Educational Scholarship Award at the annual Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference that took place in May.
Osheroff wins prestigious MILES Award
Neil Osheroff received the Mentoring, Innovation, and Leadership in Educational Scholarship Award at the annual Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference that took place in May.
Study establishes molecular basis for interaction between an essential protein complex and its regulator
The labs of Lauren Jackson and Todd Graham recently published a study in the Journal of Cell Biology describing a significant interaction between an essential protein complex used for protein and lipid transport—the COPI complex—and its regulator protein.
Three Vanderbilt students named 2023 Goldwater Scholars
Vanderbilt students Rincon Jagarlamudi, Haoli Yin and Madison Albert have been named 2023 Barry A. Goldwater Scholars. The program was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics.
Research Snapshot: DNA replication discovery opens pathways to understanding and treating cancer, aging and degenerative disease
An international collaboration led by biochemist David Cortez reached revelatory conclusions in exploration of how cells tolerate DNA damage and genome instability. Est. reading time: 2 mins.

Stanley Cohen Remembered

1922-2020
Stanley Cohen
Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry
Nobel Laureate in Medicine or Physiology, 1986

Admin Contacts

David Cortez, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Biochemistry
david.cortez@vanderbilt.edu

Jen Smith
Executive Assistant, Biochemistry
j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu

Lisa Evans
Program Assistant
lisa.evans@vanderbilt.edu

Chuck Sanders explains the difference between a third dose or booster shot

Faculty Profile Videos

Graduation Day Photos!

Graduates and spouses Tolu Nelson Omokehinde and Geena Victoria Ildefonso pose for a photo before the Graduate School commencement ceremony on the Magnolia Lawn of Vanderbilt University on Friday, May 13, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Neil Osheroff, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry, talks with his advisees Esha Deepak Dalvie and Alexandria Argelia Oviatt before the Graduate School commencement ceremony on the Magnolia Lawn of Vanderbilt University on Friday, May 13, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee.

David Cortez, Ph.D., Chair of Biochemistry, poses for a photo with Archana Krishnamoorthy during the Graduate School commencement ceremony on the Magnolia Lawn of Vanderbilt University on Friday, May 13, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee.

L-R: Chuck Sanders PhD, professor of Biochemistry; Michael Goodman, PhD; Larry Marnett, PhD, dean of School of Medicine Basic Sciences.

Destination Biochemistry

AAAS Fellows

PRIMARY FACULTY
Richard Caprioli 2012
Bruce Carter 2011
Walter Chazin 2004
David Cortez 2018
Stephen Fesik 2010
F. Peter Guengerich 1997
Tadashi Inagami 2011
Daniel Liebler 2008
Lawrence Marnett 2001
Neil Osheroff 2018
Jennifer Pietenpol 2012
Charles Sanders 2008
Kevin Schey 2018
Michael Waterman 2008
John York 2010

SECONDARY FACULTY
Richard Breyer 2014
Billy Hudson 2009
D. Borden Lacy 2018
Samuel Santoro 2013
Mike Stone 2010

Leon W. Cunningham Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow Award

2020 Petria Thompson (Cortez Lab)

The Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA)

Formed in 1998, the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association (VPA) serves as a platform to bring together and support the Vanderbilt postdoctoral community. All Vanderbilt-affliliated postdoctoral fellows and trainees (VU and VUMC) are welcome to participate in the VPA. The VPA is supported by The Graduate School.

POD 2 Links

POD 2 Home Page
POD 2 Staff Responsibility Grid
POD 2 Administrative Team