{"id":107,"date":"2018-07-30T15:36:39","date_gmt":"2018-07-30T15:36:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medschool.prd.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/graduate-student-and-postdoctoral-awards\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T21:30:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T21:30:20","slug":"graduate-student-and-postdoctoral-awards","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/graduate-student-and-postdoctoral-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Departmental Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2>Link List &#8211; Right Hand Column Placeholder<br \/>Refresh After Saving to Remove<\/h2>    \n.link-list.jump-links{\n    padding-left: 0 !important;\n}\n\n                    <h2>Donate to Biochemistry Research<\/h2>\n                    <ul>\n                            <li>\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/give.vanderbilt.edu\/campaigns\/57419\/donations\/new?a=10709271&amp;designation=departmentofbiochemistry\">\n                       Biochemistry Department\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                            <li>\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.givecampus.com\/campaigns\/57419\/donations\/new?designation=biochemistrydepartmentgraduateeducationfund\">\n                       Biochemistry Graduate Education Fund\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                            <li>\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/give.vanderbilt.edu\/campaigns\/57419\/donations\/new?designation=clinicaltranslationfund&amp;a=13129445\">\n                       Clinical Translation Fund\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                            <li>\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/give.vanderbilt.edu\/campaigns\/57419\/donations\/new?a=13129483&amp;designation=vanderbiltbiochemistryarmstrongfund\">\n                       Richard Armstrong Family Fund\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n      <h2 data-jumplink=\"true\" data-jumptitle=\"Graduate Student Awards\">Graduate Student Awards<\/h2>\n          <ul>\n                  <li>\n            <details>\n              <summary>\n                Frank Chytil Travel Award\n              <\/summary>\n                <p><strong>Nominations open annually until November 1<\/strong><strong>2026 Winner &#8211;<\/strong> <strong>Miriam Bregman (Mitchell lab)<\/strong><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/t2-main\/medschool-prd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/2026\/03\/Untitled.jpg\" alt=\"Miriam Bregman\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\" \/><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/previous-award-winners\/\"><strong>Previous Frank Chytil Travel Award Recipients<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/history\/\"><strong>Department History<\/strong><\/a>Dr. Chytil was a Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University. His research concentrated on Vitamin A metabolism and spanned more than 30 years. Born in Czechoslovakia, he and his wife Lucie and their children immigrated to the USA in 1966. Living through Nazi occupation and communism in his home country gave Dr. Chytil a unique appreciation for the freedom and life experience that may be gained via traveling the world. It was his great wish to support and provide for the education of our students; his firm belief was that a travel scholarship would allow our students the opportunity to stretch their knowledge and be involved within varied scientific circles to best develop into independent researchers. In memory of Dr. Frank Chytil, his family established this travel award in 2010. Upon receipt of all applications, a three-member committee appointed by our DGS and Department Chair will evaluate the candidate proposals. The strength of the student&#8217;s abstract and their academic standing will be factors for consideration. Best of luck for a bon voyage!To nominate a <strong>Biochemistry-affiliated graduate student<\/strong> for consideration for this award, please submit all materials directly to Jen Smith at <a href=\"mailto:j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu\">j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu.<\/a>Please include the following:<ul><li>Provide a brief write-up explaining what meeting that you propose to attend, where the meeting will be held, and how you will participate in that meeting. The meeting may take place any time within the next year and may be within the USA or abroad (which will require a passport).<\/li><li>Provide an abstract that has been accepted for a poster or oral presentation at the proposed meeting.<\/li><li>Provide written acknowledgment of permission from your advisor that they approve of the meeting attendance.<\/li><li>Provide an updated CV.<\/li><li>Combine these documents into ONE SINGLE PDF FILE for submission.<\/li><\/ul>Award: commemorative plaque, name added to the Department&#8217;s perpetual plaque, and a travel allowance of up to $1000.00, courtesy of the Chytil Fund.<\/p>\n            <\/details>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n            <details>\n              <summary>\n                Dr. Laura Busenlehner Award for Outstanding Leadership &amp; Research\n              <\/summary>\n                <p><strong>Nominations open annually until November 1<\/strong><strong>2026 Winner &#8211; Ali Angelos (Ren<\/strong><strong>\u00a0lab)<\/strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/t2-main\/medschool-prd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/2025\/10\/Angelos_headshot-copy-2-258x300-1.jpg\" alt=\"Alexia Angelos\" width=\"75\" height=\"87\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/previous-award-winners\/\"><strong>Previous Laura Busenlehner Award Recipients<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/history\/\"><strong>Department History<\/strong><\/a>This annual award was established in 2017 at the request of the family of Professor Richard Armstrong and is supported by the fund set up in his name. The Dr. Laura Busenlehner Award is designed to honor an outstanding Biochemistry-affiliated Postdoctoral trainee or an exceptionally advanced student whose discovery science and curiosity-driven research stands out among our excellent trainees. Dr. Busenlehner did her post-doctorate work at Vanderbilt from 2003 to 2007 in the Armstrong Lab. She went on to be an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama in 2007, an NIH career award winner in 2009, and was named a distinguished Teacher Fellow in 2014, which is also the year in which she became a tenured Associate Professor. Regrettably, this bright scientist passed away in November of 2014. At that time, one of her students named Erin Hein stated that Dr. Busenlehner &#8220;really pressed women in science and motivated me throughout my research.&#8221; Her studies focused on the inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, and biophysical characterization of the Frataxin protein, deciphering its role in the neurodegenerative disease Friedrich&#8217;s Ataxia. The winner will be determined via an appointed selection committee.To nominate a <strong>Biochemistry-affiliated Postdoctoral trainee or exceptionally advanced graduate student<\/strong> for consideration of this award, please submit all materials directly to Jen Smith at <a href=\"mailto:j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu\">j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu<\/a>.Please include the following:<ul><li>One letter\u00a0of support with rationale for the nomination<\/li><li>CV of the nominee<\/li><\/ul>Award: individual commemorative plaque and a cash award courtesy of the Richard Armstrong Fund; winners are typically announced at the Biochemistry Retreat and give a subsequent 20-minute presentation.<\/p>\n            <\/details>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n            <details>\n              <summary>\n                Leon W. Cunningham Award for Excellence in Biochemistry\n              <\/summary>\n                <p><strong>Nominations open annually until November 1<\/strong><strong>2025 Graduate Student Winner &#8211; Kevin McCarty (Guengerich lab)<br \/><\/strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/t2-main\/medschool-prd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/2025\/10\/Kevin-Mccarty-3-300x300-1.jpg\" alt=\"Kevin McCarty\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\" \/><strong><br \/><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/previous-award-winners\/\"><strong>Previous Leon W. Cunningham Award Recipients<\/strong><\/a><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/history\/\">Department History<\/a><\/strong>The Leon W. Cunningham Award is\u00a0given annually to a graduate student affiliated with the Biochemistry graduate program who shares Leon&#8217;s commitment to excellence in scientific discovery.We are now accepting applications for the annual Leon W. Cunningham Graduate Student Award. This award is given annually to a student in the Biochemistry graduate program who shares Leon&#8217;s commitment to excellence in scientific discovery. The awardee is usually an upper level student with a solid publication record, but there are no formal requirements. After all of the submissions have been collected, a committee of faculty members will be formed to select an awardee. The graduate student awardee will be publicly announced at the Biochemistry Retreat. The award winner will be privately notified beforehand and should plan to present a 20-minute talk at the Retreat.To nominate one of your <strong>Biochemistry-affiliated graduate student<\/strong> for consideration for this award, please submit all materials for the awards committee directly to Jen Smith at <a href=\"mailto:j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu\">j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu<\/a>.Please include the following:<ul><li>One letter of support with rationale for the nomination<\/li><li>CV of the nominee<\/li><\/ul>Award: commemorative plaque, name added to the Department&#8217;s perpetual plaque, and a cash award courtesy of the Cunningham Fund; winners are typically announced at the Biochemistry Retreat and give a subsequent 20-minute presentation.<\/p>\n            <\/details>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n            <details>\n              <summary>\n                Armstrong Training Enhancement Award\n              <\/summary>\n                <p><strong>Nominations open annually until November 1<\/strong><strong>2026 Winner &#8211; Dr. <b>Hrishita Das<\/b> (Carter lab) <\/strong><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/t2-main\/medschool-prd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/2026\/01\/hrishita.jpg\" alt=\"Hrishita Das\" width=\"75\" height=\"83\" \/><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/previous-award-winners\/\"><strong>Previous Armstrong Training Enhancement Award Recipients<\/strong><\/a><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/history\/\">Department History<\/a><\/strong>Established in 2023, this annual award provides <em>up to<\/em> $5,000 for a Biochemistry-affiliated student <em>or<\/em> postdoctoral fellow to visit another laboratory anywhere in the world to enhance their training. Visiting another laboratory to facilitate collaborations or to learn a new methodology is a powerful way of advancing a research project. This award is named in honor of the late Dr. Richard Armstrong, Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry at Vanderbilt University and Foreign Adjunct Professor at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm Sweden. Dr. Armstrong understood that scientific exchanges like those supported by this award are often formative experiences in a scientist&#8217;s training. \u00a0Students and postdoctoral fellows can apply directly for this award. All Biochemistry-affiliated graduate students <em>or<\/em> postdoctoral fellows are eligible. Graduate students in other programs who are training in a primary Biochemistry faculty member&#8217;s lab are also eligible. The winner will be determined via an appointed selection committee.To nominate a <strong>Biochemistry-affiliated Postdoctoral trainee or graduate student<\/strong> for consideration of this award, please submit all materials directly to Jen Smith at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu\">j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu<\/a>Please note:<ul><li>If traveling internationally, allot sufficient time to obtain a\u00a0passport.<\/li><li>Funds must be used within one year of award notification decision.<\/li><\/ul>Please include the following:<ul><li>A letter\u00a0of interest from the trainee describing how the award will be used including the destination, expected duration of the visit, and training activities to be conducted<\/li><li>A letter of reference from the nominee&#8217;s mentor, including a commitment to cover any costs in excess of $5,000.<\/li><li>CV of the nominee<\/li><\/ul>Award: commemorative plaque and a travel allowance of up to $5000.00, courtesy of the Richard Armstrong Fund.<\/p>\n            <\/details>\n          <\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n      <h2 data-jumplink=\"true\" data-jumptitle=\"Postdoctoral Scholar Awards\">Postdoctoral Scholar Awards<\/h2>\n          <ul>\n                  <li>\n            <details>\n              <summary>\n                Michael Waterman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Postdoctoral Studies\n              <\/summary>\n                <p><strong>Nominations open annually until November 1<\/strong><strong>2026 Winner &#8211; Matthew Cranford, Ph.D.<\/strong> <strong>(Cortez lab)<\/strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/t2-main\/medschool-prd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/2026\/01\/matthew-300x271-1.jpg\" alt=\"Matthew Cranford\" width=\"75\" height=\"68\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/previous-award-winners\/\"><strong>Previous Michael Waterman Award Recipients<\/strong><\/a><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/history\/\">Department History<\/a><\/strong>This award, established in 2021 honors the outstanding achievement of a Postdoctoral fellow in Biochemistry. The winner will have made an important research discovery as evidenced by a publication within the past year. Other evidence for research impact will also be considered. The award is named for Michael R. Waterman, Ph.D., Natalie Overall Warren Professor and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry from 1992-2010. His leadership skills at Vanderbilt were characterized by his calm and thoughtful approach to the management of the Biochemistry department and advocacy for faculty needs. The Department expanded significantly and thrived under his direction. Dr. Waterman&#8217;s research was focused on cytochrome P450 enzymes and related proteins. It led to a better understanding of processes underlying hormonal disturbances and provides the basis for developing better anti-fungal drugs, defining the potential roles of steroid metabolism in the control of human parasites, and many other issues of clinical importance. He mentored 12 Ph.D. candidates and more than 50 postdoctoral research fellows. This award recognizes his commitment to postdoctoral training and the Vanderbilt Department of Biochemistry. Applications will be evaluated by a small, appointed committee to determine the most-deserving award recipient. The postdoctoral fellow awardee is usually announced at the Biochemistry retreat. The award winner will be privately notified beforehand.To nominate one of your <strong>Biochemistry-affiliated Postdoctoral research fellow<\/strong> for consideration for this award, please submit all materials for the awards committee directly to Jen Smith at <a href=\"mailto:j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu\">j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu<\/a>Please include the following:<ul><li>One letter of support with rationale for the nomination<\/li><li>CV of the nominee<\/li><li>A reprint of the candidate&#8217;s best paper published from your laboratory in the past year.<\/li><\/ul>Award: commemorative plaque, name added to the Department&#8217;s perpetual plaque, and a cash award; winners are typically announced at the Biochemistry Retreat and are expected to give a 20-minute presentation on their research.<\/p>\n            <\/details>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n            <details>\n              <summary>\n                John G. Coniglio Award\n              <\/summary>\n                <p><strong>Nominations open annually January 1 &#8211; March 1<\/strong><strong>2024 Winner &#8211; Samantha P. Beik<\/strong><strong>, Ph.D.<\/strong> <strong>(Lopez\/Quaranta labs)<\/strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/t2-main\/medschool-prd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/2025\/10\/Beik_Samanth_web-207x300-207x300-1.jpg\" alt=\"Samantha P. Beik\" width=\"75\" height=\"109\" \/><strong><br \/><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/previous-award-winners\/\"><strong>Previous John C. Coniglio\u00a0Award Recipients<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/history\/\"><strong>Department History<\/strong><\/a>This medical student award was established upon the retirement of Dr.\u00a0Coniglio\u00a0in 1990 to honor his many years of outstanding service to the Department and his leadership in the field of medical student education. Presented annually, this award provides recognition of a graduating medical student(s) who has distinguished themself in biochemistry. Accomplishments in both biochemical research <em>and<\/em> biochemistry courses are considered in evaluating candidates for this award.Trainees eligible for consideration of the John G. Coniglio Prize in Biochemistry, must be nominated by a member of the Biochemistry faculty. The nominating letter need not be extensive, but should make clear the reasons for the student&#8217;s nomination. If there is a graduating M.D. or M.D.\/Ph.D. candidate whom you feel deserves consideration for the award, please send a letter of recommendation on their behalf directly to the award curator, Dr. Neil Osheroff, <em>no later than<\/em> March 1 to allow sufficient time for inclusion in &#8220;Class Day&#8221; commencement recognitions. Electronic submissions are preferred. Final candidates for the John G. Coniglio Prize in Biochemistry will be recommended to the Departmental Chair for final approval.To nominate a <strong>Biochemistry-affiliated M.D. or M.D.\/Ph.D. student<\/strong> for consideration for this award, please submit all materials directly to Neil Osheroff at <a href=\"mailto:neil.osheroff@vanderbilt.edu\">neil.osheroff@vanderbilt.edu<\/a>. If you have questions regarding students who are graduating this year, please contact Neil directly. Your assistance in identifying an outstanding candidate for this award is greatly appreciated.Please include the following:<ul><li>One letter of support with rationale for the nomination<\/li><\/ul>Award: commemorative plaque, name added to the Department&#8217;s perpetual plaque, and a cash award courtesy of the Coniglio Memorial fund.<\/p>\n            <\/details>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n            <details>\n              <summary>\n                Destination Biochemistry Benjamin Danzo Postdoctoral Scholar Award\n              <\/summary>\n                <p>Applications by <strong>incoming EARLY-CAREER new Postdoctoral fellows <\/strong><strong>at <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapply.interfolio.com%2F123614&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cstephen.m.doster%40vanderbilt.edu%7C1ccea4973b264fd455ed08db886c4c2d%7Cba5a7f39e3be4ab3b45067fa80faecad%7C0%7C0%7C638253770932985331%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=9GWuLD8fa5qvvyWp69gborzabeLiH0ZQMfOBHS3KaYU%3D&amp;reserved=0\"><strong><em>http:\/\/apply.interfolio.com\/123614<\/em><\/strong><\/a> are accepted<strong> on February 15, June 1, and October 1<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/t2-main\/medschool-prd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/2026\/06\/Yingxuan-DestBCHM-Danzo1-600x600.png\" alt=\"Yingxuan Zhu.\" width=\"75\" height=\"56\" \/>2026 Recipient: <strong>Yingxuan Zhu, Ph.D.<br \/><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/previous-award-winners\/\"><strong>Previous Destination Biochemistry Benjamin Danzo Postdoctoral Scholar Award Recipients<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"_wp_link_placeholder\" data-wplink-edit=\"true\"><strong>Department History<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n            <\/details>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n            <details>\n              <summary>\n                Destination Biochemistry Stanley Cohen Postdoctoral Scholar Award\n              <\/summary>\n                <p>Applications by <strong>incoming EARLY-CAREER new Postdoctoral fellows <\/strong><strong>at <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapply.interfolio.com%2F123614&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cstephen.m.doster%40vanderbilt.edu%7C1ccea4973b264fd455ed08db886c4c2d%7Cba5a7f39e3be4ab3b45067fa80faecad%7C0%7C0%7C638253770932985331%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=9GWuLD8fa5qvvyWp69gborzabeLiH0ZQMfOBHS3KaYU%3D&amp;reserved=0\"><strong><em>http:\/\/apply.interfolio.com\/123614<\/em><\/strong><\/a> are accepted<strong> on February 15, June 1, and October 1<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/t2-main\/medschool-prd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/2026\/06\/v7.2_Mollie-Uhrig_DestBCHM-Cohen1-600x600.png\" alt=\"Mollie Uhrig.\" width=\"75\" height=\"56\" \/>2026 Recipient: <strong>Mollie Uhrig, Ph.D.<br \/><\/strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/previous-award-winners\/\">Previous Destination Biochemistry Stanley Cohen<\/a> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/previous-graduate-student-and-postdoctoral-awards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Postdoctoral Scholar Award Recipients<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/history\/\"><strong>Department History<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n            <\/details>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n            <details>\n              <summary>\n                Destination Biochemistry Advanced Postdoctoral Scholar Award\n              <\/summary>\n                <p>Open to <strong>existing ADVANCED-CAREER Postdoctoral fellows<\/strong> readying for independent careers within the next year. <strong>Apply via Interfolio at<\/strong><strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapply.interfolio.com%2F123677&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cstephen.m.doster%40vanderbilt.edu%7C1ccea4973b264fd455ed08db886c4c2d%7Cba5a7f39e3be4ab3b45067fa80faecad%7C0%7C0%7C638253770932985331%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=wro8wFLaorXpriOv0201FNJqhfH1rUTaRUM9ql9387A%3D&amp;reserved=0\"><em>http:\/\/apply.interfolio.com\/123677\u00a0 <\/em><\/a><\/strong><strong>by annual deadline of August 1.<\/strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/t2-main\/medschool-prd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/2026\/08\/Advanced-Dest-BCHM-Award-Poster_Stefanski-600x600.png\" alt=\"Dr. Katherine Stefanski.\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\" \/>2026 Recipient:<b> Katherine Stefanski, Ph.D. <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/previous-award-winners\/\"><strong>Previous Destination Biochemistry Advanced Postdoctoral Scholar Award <\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/previous-graduate-student-and-postdoctoral-awards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Recipients<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/history\/\"><strong>Department History<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n            <\/details>\n          <\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n      <h2 data-jumplink=\"true\" data-jumptitle=\"Faculty Awards\">Faculty Awards<\/h2>\n          <ul>\n                  <li>\n            <details>\n              <summary>\n                Richard Armstrong Mentoring Award\n              <\/summary>\n                <p><strong>Nominations open annually until November 1<\/strong><strong>2024 Winner &#8211; Scott Hiebert, Ph.D.<\/strong><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/t2-main\/medschool-prd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/2024\/04\/hiebert.jpg\" alt=\"Scott Hiebert\" width=\"250\" height=\"302\" \/><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/previous-award-winners\/\"><strong>Previous Armstrong Mentoring Award Recipients<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/history\/\"><strong>Department History<\/strong><\/a>Established in 2016, this annual award will be granted to a Vanderbilt Biochemistry faculty member whose commitment and excellence in student or Postdoctoral training is exemplary. Named in honor of the late Dr. Richard Armstrong, Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry at Vanderbilt University and Foreign Adjunct Professor at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. The research of Dr. Armstrong focused on how enzymes detoxify foreign molecules through a multipronged chemical, structural, and molecular approach. As an editor of the journal Biochemistry, Richard fostered the dissemination of shared scientific knowledge. His work as a teacher, scholar, and advisor were instrumental in expertly guiding students though the rigors of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He emphasized fundamentals through his numerous lectures and selflessly served the Biochemistry community through teaching, committee membership, grant reviews, and participation in professional societies. He was also fond of teaching his young relatives to fish. The winner will be determined via an appointed selection committee.To nominate a <strong>Biochemistry faculty member<\/strong> for consideration of this award, please submit all materials directly to Jen Smith at <a href=\"mailto:j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu\">j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu<\/a>.Please include the following:<ul><li>Provide a nomination letter detailing how a faculty member exemplifies a commitment to excellence in student or post-doctoral training.<\/li><li>Additional letters of support are encouraged, but are optional (from graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, or peer colleagues).<\/li><li>Jen Smith will secure an updated CV from the candidates.<\/li><\/ul>Award: commemorative plaque, name added to a Departmental perpetual plaque, and a $2500 cash award courtesy of the Richard Armstrong Fund. Past awardees have presented a Frontiers in Biochemistry Seminar, incorporating topics of mentorship.<\/p>\n            <\/details>\n          <\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n    <figure>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/t2-main\/medschool-prd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-21-at-1.22.56%E2%80%AFPM.png\" alt=\"awards\" \/>\n            <figcaption>\n        Dr. David Cortez and trainees pose with awards at the departmental awards ceremony in March 2024.\n      <\/figcaption>\n    <\/figure>\n      <h2 data-jumplink=\"true\" data-jumptitle=\"Miscellaneous Awards\">Miscellaneous Awards<\/h2>\n          <ul>\n                  <li>\n            <details>\n              <summary>\n                Additional Postdoc and Grad Student Awards\n              <\/summary>\n                <h3><strong>2026 Award Winners<\/strong><\/h3><p><strong>Victoria Howard <\/strong>(Georgiev lab) <a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/basic-sciences\/2026\/08\/27\/celebrating-five-years-of-investment-in-innovation-brighter-ventures-student-award-granted-to-victoria-howard-to-support-artificial-intelligence-driven-vaccine-design\/\">School of Medicine Basic Sciences Brighter Ventures Student Awardee.<\/a><strong>Dr. Hannah Collins<\/strong> (Carter lab) second-place winner of the <a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/basic-sciences\/2026\/09\/01\/rothfuss-collins-and-hayes-win-2026-cell-imaging-shared-resource-life-is-beautiful-image-contest\/\">2026 Shared Resource Life Is Beautiful Image contest.<\/a><strong>Andrea Ascura<\/strong> (Ascano lab) was awarded the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/ep\/NRSAFellowshipGrants.html\"><u>Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31)<\/u><\/a> award from NIH\/NIAID<strong>Gabriela Gonzalez-Vasquez<\/strong> (Cortez lab) received the &#8220;Best Poster Award&#8221; at the VICC Symposium.<strong>Kelly O&#8217;Rourke<\/strong> (Kojetin lab) was awarded the 2026 Dean&#8217;s Award for Exceptional Achievement.<strong>Kelly O&#8217;Rourke<\/strong> (Kojetin lab)was awarded a 2026 PhRMA Foundation predoctoral fellowship award\u00a0<strong>Miriam Bregman<\/strong> (Mitchell lab) and <strong>Alyssa Ehni<\/strong> (Lacy lab) were awarded 2026 VICB Ambassador Travel Awards<b>Dr. Chelsea Mann<\/b> (Osheroff Lab) was selected by the Vanderbilt University Graduate School program for the 2025-2026 Postdoctoral Mentorship and Teaching Award<strong>Kate Clowes Moste<\/strong>r (Sanders lab) 2026 Karpay Award in Structural Biology<h3><strong>2025 Award Winners<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Riley Carter<\/strong> (Mitchell lab) 2025 VICB Ambassador Travel Award<strong>Kevin McCarty <\/strong>(Guengerich Lab) 2025 &#8220;Best Student Presentation&#8221; at the International Conference Cytochrome P450 in Bern, Switzerland<strong>Kate Clowes <\/strong>(Sanders Lab) 2025 Dean&#8217;s Award for Exceptional Achievement by The School of Medicine Basic Sciences<strong>Mason Wilkinson <\/strong>(Sanders Lab) 2025 Provost&#8217;s Pathbreaking Discovery Award from Vanderbilt University<strong>Jenny Tran <\/strong>(Brown Lab) 2025 Karpay Award Winner<strong>Kevin McCarty <\/strong>(Guengerich Lab) 2024-2025 Outstanding Doctoral Student Award and the 2025 Provost&#8217;s Pathbreaking Discovery Award from Vanderbilt University<h3><strong>2025 Graduate School Travel Award Recipients<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Kateryna Nabukhotma<\/strong> (Lacy lab)<strong>Andrea Ascura<\/strong> (Ascano lab)<h3><strong>2024 Graduate School Travel Award Recipients<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Sabrina Van Ravenstein <\/strong>(Dewar Lab)<strong>Samantha Lisy <\/strong>(Ascano Lab)<strong>Samika Joshi\u00a0<\/strong>(Osheroff Lab)<strong>Katherine Moster\u00a0<\/strong>(Sanders Lab)<strong>Verda Agan\u00a0<\/strong>(Hodges Lab)<strong>Jillian Armenia\u00a0<\/strong>(Osheroff Lab)<strong>Alexis Campbell\u00a0<\/strong>(Blind Lab)<strong>Kateryna Nabukhotna\u00a0<\/strong>(Lacy Lab)<strong>Katherine Brewer\u00a0<\/strong>(Sanders Lab)<h3><strong>2024 Award Winners<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Xiaoyu &#8220;Lily&#8221; Yu\u00a0<\/strong>of the Kojetin lab won the 2024 VICB Richard\u00a0Armstrong\u00a0Prize at the VICB Symposium on August 2.<strong>Kevin McCarty<\/strong> of the Guengerich lab has been named a recipient of the 2024 Dean&#8217;s Award for Exceptional Achievement by the School of Medicine Basic Sciences.<strong>Juan Carvajal Garcia<\/strong> of the Merrikh lab has been named 2024 VI4 Trainee of the Year.<strong>Xiaoyu (Lily) Yu<\/strong> from the Kojetin lab received the new <a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/basic-sciences\/2024\/04\/10\/fourteen-biomedical-sciences-students-receive-2024-provost-pathbreaking-discovery-award\/\">Provost&#8217;s Pathbreaking Discovery Award<\/a>.\u00a0This award recognizes doctoral students who exhibit exceptional academic excellence in areas such as publications, awards, patents, and other forms of national\/international distinction.<strong>Jenny Tran <\/strong>(Brown Lab) received the Ethel M. Wilson Scholarship from Vanderbilt University. This scholarship recognizes excellence in research conducted by promising graduate women students.<h3><strong>2023 Best Poster and Talk Award Winners<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Montana Young<\/strong> (Hamm Lab) earned the &#8220;Best First-Year Talk&#8221; award at the Department of Pharmacology retreat on October 13.<strong>Xiaoyu &#8220;Lily&#8221;\u00a0<\/strong><b>Yu<\/b>\u00a0(Kojetin Lab) earned the &#8220;Best Poster&#8221; award at the 8th Gateway NMR conference held at the University of Notre Dame.<strong>Kevin McCarty<\/strong> (Guengerich Lab) earned the &#8220;Best Poster&#8221; award at the 23rd International Conference on Cytochrome P450: Shizuoka, Japan.<strong>Katherine Stefanski<\/strong> (Sanders Lab) earned the &#8220;Top Poster&#8221; award at the 2023 CMT<h3><strong>2023 Biochemistry Retreat Award Winners<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Xiaoyu &#8220;Lily&#8221;\u00a0<\/strong><b>Yu<\/b>\u00a0(Kojetin Lab) and <strong>Katherine Stefanski<\/strong> (Sanders Lab) both received &#8220;Top Talk&#8221; awards.<strong>Samantha Lisy<\/strong> (Ascano Lab), <strong>Jillian Armenia<\/strong> (Osheroff Lab), and <strong>Jessica Day<\/strong> (Hodges Lab) received &#8220;Top Poster&#8221; awards.<strong>Jorge Rua-Fernandez <\/strong>(Cortez Lab) and <strong>Sabrina Van Ravenstein<\/strong> (Dewar Lab) received &#8220;Top Talk&#8221; honorable mentions.<strong>Kaitlyn Browning<\/strong> (Merrikh Lab), <strong>Kate Clowes<\/strong> (Sanders Lab), and <strong>Jenny Tran <\/strong>(Brown Lab) received &#8220;Top Poster&#8221; honorable mentions.<h3><strong>2023\u00a0Graduate School Travel Award Recipients<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Anna Eitel<\/strong> (Hamm Lab) has been selected for a 2023-2024 Graduate School Travel Grant.<strong>Xiaoyu &#8220;Lily&#8221;\u00a0<\/strong><b>Yu<\/b>\u00a0(Kojetin Lab) has been selected for a 2023-2024 Graduate School Travel Grant.<strong>Jorge Rua Fernandez<\/strong> (Cortez Lab) has been selected for a 2023-2024 Graduate School Travel Grant.<strong>Kevin McCarty<\/strong> (Guengerich Lab) has been selected for a 2023-2024 Graduate School Travel Grant.<h3><strong>2023 Protein Society Annual Symposium<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Jenny Tran<\/strong> (Brown Lab) is the 2023 Protein Society Annual Symposium Poster Competition winner.<h3><strong>2023 Anne Karpay Award in Structural Biology<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Ivette Perez<\/strong> (Iverson Lab) has been named the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanderbilt.edu\/csb\/karpay-award\/\">2023 Anne Karpay Award in Structural Biology<\/a> recipient.<h3><strong>2022 VICB Armstrong Prize<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Emma Guiberson<\/strong> (Caprioli Lab) has been awarded the Armstrong Prize by the VICB. Emma presesnted at the 2022 VICB Student Symposium on Friday, August 12, 2022.<h3><strong>2022 Travel Awards<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Velia Garcia<\/strong>\u00a0(Chazin lab) won both a travel and poster award at the recent 36th Protein Society Symposium in San Francisco. Postdoctoral fellows <strong>Swati Balakrishnan<\/strong> (Chazin lab) and <strong>Areetha D&#8217;Souza<\/strong> (Chazin lab) also won travel awards.<h3><strong>2022 Anne Karpay\u00a0Award in Structural Biology<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Noah Bradley<\/strong> (Eichman lab)<h3><strong>2022 Biochemistry Retreat Poster Winners<\/strong><\/h3>Best Poster: <strong>Tyler Hansen<\/strong> (Hodges lab, left) and Honorable Mention:\u00a0<strong>Tata Kavlashvili<\/strong> (Dewar lab, right)<h3><strong>2022 Graduate Endowment Award<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Noah Bradley<\/strong> (Eichman lab) is a 2022 recipient of the <a href=\"https:\/\/wp0.vanderbilt.edu\/gradschool-blog\/2022\/04\/26\/2022-graduate-school-endowed-awards\/\">Edward Ferguson Jr. Graduate Award,<\/a> which provides scholarships to support students at the Graduate School who demonstrate excellence in research.<h3><strong>2022 VICC Postsdoctoral Scholar Award<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Kavi Mehta<\/strong> (Cortez Lab) was recognized at the annual Biochemistry Retreat in Chattanooga with the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center Postdoctoral Scholar of the year. Congratulations, Kavi!<h3><strong>2021 Inaugural Award, Excellence in Podcasting<\/strong><\/h3>Congratulations <strong>Nicole Kendrick <\/strong>(Olivares Lab)and<strong> Natalie Wallace <\/strong>(Jackson Lab),\u00a0first-place winner &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/news.vanderbilt.edu\/2021\/08\/26\/excellence-in-podcasting-award-winners-honored-at-reception\/?utm_source=sfmc&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=MyVU+Staff+8.27.21&amp;utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fnews.vanderbilt.edu%2f2021%2f08%2f26%2fexcellence-in-podcasting-award-winners-honored-at-reception%2f&amp;utm_id=151466&amp;sfmc_id=28341878\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Graduate and professional students<\/a>&#8220;:\u00a0&#8220;How Real is Silicon-based Life?&#8221;<h3><strong>2021 Anne Karpay Award in Structural Biology<\/strong><\/h3><strong>James Hutchison<\/strong> (Sanders Lab)<h3><strong>2020 Armstrong Faculty\u00a0Transition Award<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Kevin Lang\u00a0<\/strong>(Merrikh lab)<h3><strong>2020 Levi Watkins Jr. Student Award<\/strong><\/h3>Kudos to our newest <a href=\"https:\/\/news.vanderbilt.edu\/2020\/09\/11\/2020-levi-watkins-jr-m-d-lecture-set-for-oct-6-award-nominations-sought\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Levi Watkins, Jr. Student Awardee<\/a>, <strong>Geena Ildefonso<\/strong> (CPB, Quaranta Lab) for fostering a diverse environment that is encouraging to all.<h3><strong>2020 Sidney Colowick Award<\/strong><\/h3>Congratulations <strong>Michael Sheedlo, Ph.D.<\/strong>\u00a0(Lacy Lab), one of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology&#8217;s 2020 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/VUMCMolecPath\/status\/1309250506657652736\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sidney Colowick Awardees<\/a>!<h3><strong>2020 Human Islet Research Network Scholarship<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Angela Kruse, Ph.D.<\/strong>\u00a0(Caprioli Lab) received one of only nine nationally awarded scholarships from the 2020 <a href=\"https:\/\/hirnetwork.org\/scholarship2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Human Islet Research Network<\/a>.<h3><strong>2020 Dean&#8217;s Award for Exceptional Achievement for Advanced Students<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Sarah M. Glass <\/strong>(Guengerich Lab)<h3><strong>2020 Anne Karpay Award in Structural Biology<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Justin Marinko<\/strong> (Sanders Lab), selected as the 2020 recipient of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanderbilt.edu\/csb\/karpay-award\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Anne Karpay Award in Structural Biology<\/a>.<h3><strong>2020 Graduate School Travel Award Recipient<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Kathryn Brewe<\/strong>r (Sanders Lab)<h3><strong>2019 Russell G. Hamilton Graduate Leadership Institute Dissertation Enhancement Grant<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Justin Marinko<\/strong> (Sanders Lab)<h3><strong>2019 Russell G. Hamilton Graduate Leadership Institute Travel Award<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Sarah Arcos<\/strong> (Ascano Lab)<h3><strong>2019 Dean&#8217;s Award for Exceptional Achievement for Advanced Students<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Manuel Castro<\/strong> (Sanders Lab)<h3><strong>2018 Armstrong Faculty Transition Award<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Kareem Mohni\u00a0<\/strong>(Cortez lab) was named the INAUGURAL 2018 Armstrong Faculty Transition Award recipient. Kareen is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota..Established in 2018, the Armstrong Faculty Transition Award from the Department of Biochemistry funded one PostDoctoral Fellow of exceptional promise and leadership skill to foster transition into a faculty position. Winners conduct research independent from their current lab&#8217;s mentorship, while establishing themselves and their future lab. We request that Awardees acknowledge this funding source on resultant publications. Winners receive Departmental recognition, a commemorative plaque, and funding toward their transition into a faculty role.<h3><strong>2018 Vanderbilt Prize Scholar<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Katherine Rothamel<\/strong> (Ascano Lab)<h3><strong>2017 AAPS Foundation Fellowship<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Elizabeth Gibson<\/strong>, a third year student in the Neil\u00a0Osheroff Lab,\u00a0has been awarded the <strong>2017 AAPS Foundation Fellowship<\/strong> for her work on antibacterial-drug-resistant TB.<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/113\/public_files\/StudentAwards\/Other\/2018-04-26-AAPS_award-E.Gibson.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a><h3><strong>2017 Christopher C. Harris Travel Award for Graduate Students<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Michael Goodman<\/strong> was a member of the Richard Armstrong Lab in Biochemistry and is now in the Larry Marnett Lab, affiliated with the Department of Chemistry. He is the recipient of the 2017 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bioactivelipidsconf.wayne.edu\/christopher-harris-travel-award\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christopher C. Harris Travel Award for Graduate Students<\/a><\/strong>. Sponsored by the Eicosanoid Research Foundation, the award was presented at a conference in Mexico on Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation and Related Diseases. Christopher Harris was dedicated administrator for the Department of Pathology at Wayne State University. Chris was a talented entrepreneur, remarkable organizer, fundraiser and meeting planner. He had a gift for bringing individuals together and making friends around the world. He was the exclusive meeting organizer for the very successful international conference on Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation and Related Diseases which showcases the cutting edge of science on the role of lipid mediators in various physiological and pathological processes. Chris managed these conferences starting in Chicago (2003), San Francisco (2005), Montreal (2007), Cancun (2009), Seattle (2011), San Juan (2013), and Budapest (2015). The 2017 meeting in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is dedicated in\u00a0honor of Chris Harris.<h3><strong>2017 Levi Watkins Jr. Student Award<\/strong><\/h3>Congratulations to <strong>Romell Gletten<\/strong> for receiving the 2017 <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/news.vanderbilt.edu\/2015\/04\/13\/vanderbilt-mourns-loss-of-levi-watkins-jr-m-d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Levi Watkins Jr.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/news.vanderbilt.edu\/2015\/04\/13\/vanderbilt-mourns-loss-of-levi-watkins-jr-m-d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Student Award<\/a><\/strong>, presented annually to at least one graduate student and one medical student associated with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine who have made outstanding contributions to the institution by fostering a more diverse environment that is enriching, encouraging and embracing of all VUSM students, faculty and administration. Levi Watkins Jr., M.D., is remembered for his significant contributions toward increasing opportunities for underrepresented minorities in the sciences. A distinguished physician and researcher, Watkins was the first African American student to be admitted to and graduate from VUSM. A member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, he continued his training at Johns Hopkins and Harvard. Watkins was posthumously awarded the VUSM Distinguished Alumni Award in October 2016.<h3><strong>2017 VICC Graduate Students of the Year Award<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Kamakoti &#8220;Kami&#8221; Prakash Bhat<\/strong> (Cortez Lab) and <strong>Tim Shaver<\/strong> (Pietenpol Lab)\u00a0were\u00a0named\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/news.vanderbilt.edu\/2017\/05\/11\/top-cancer-researchers-reveal-latest-findings-at-vicc%E2%80%88science-retreat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2017 VICC\u00a0Graduate\u00a0Students of the Year<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0<strong>Elwood Mullins<\/strong> (Eichman Lab) was named\u00a0the <strong>VICC Postdoctoral Fellow of the Year.<\/strong><h3><strong>2017 F99\/K00 Predoctoral-to-Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Kamakoti &#8220;Kami&#8221; Prakash Bhat<\/strong> (Cortez Lab)\u00a0is\u00a0the first Vanderbilt student to win an <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/news.vicc.org\/2016\/11\/graduate-students-cancer-studies-land-nci-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">F99\/K00 predoctoral-to-postdoctoral fellow transition award<\/a><\/strong> from the NCI.<h3><strong>2017 Spanish Language Fellow<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Lorena Infante Lara<\/strong>, a 4th year graduate student from Neil Osheroff&#8217;s lab, was named a <strong>Spanish Language Fellow in the AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellows Program<\/strong>.\u00a0This program assigns fellows to media sites throughout the U.S. during the summer, where they work to research, write, and report science to the general public. Lorena will be communicating with primarily Latino audiences as she writes articles for Univisi\u00f3n Salud (Health) in Miami, FL.<h3><strong>2015 Vanderbilt Prize Scholar<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Lisa Poole<\/strong> of the Cortez Lab was named as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vumc.org\/oor\/vanderbilt-prize-biomedical-science\"><strong>2015\u00a0Vanderbilt Prize Scholar<\/strong><\/a>. This very prestigious award gives Lisa direct mentorship by Vanderbilt Prize Lecturer Dr. Huda Zoghbi (a National Academy of Sciences member and accomplished scientist). We are proud of our outgoing BSA president. <a href=\"http:\/\/news.vanderbilt.edu\/2016\/04\/vanderbilt-prize-lecture-details-goldilocks-principle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a>.<h3><strong>2014 Chemical Society&#8217;s Division\u00a0of Chemical Toxicology Poster Winner<\/strong><\/h3><strong>Jeannie Camarillo<\/strong> received a 2014 <strong>1st Place Poster\u00a0Presentation<\/strong> award during\u00a0the American Chemical Society&#8217;s Division\u00a0of Chemical Toxicology meeting (San Francisco)\u00a0as well\u00a0as an\u00a0award for her Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology\u00a0Student Research Symposium poster. Jeannie is also the recipient of the\u00a0Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (F31) grant.<h3><strong>2011 Vanderbilt Prize Scholar<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>&amp;\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Titia\u00a0de Lange, the Vanderbilt Prize Winner<\/strong><\/h3>\u00a0<strong>Bianca\u00a0Sirbu<\/strong>\u00a0(left) selected as the<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vumc.org\/oor\/vanderbilt-prize-student-scholar\"><strong>2011 Vanderbilt Prize Scholar<\/strong><\/a> and<br \/><strong>Dr.\u00a0Titia\u00a0de Lange, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vumc.org\/oor\/vanderbilt-prize-biomedical-science\">Vanderbilt Prize Winner<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n            <\/details>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n            <details>\n              <summary>\n                Historical List of Departmental Awards\n              <\/summary>\n                <h4><strong>Previous Armstrong Training Enhancement Award Recipients<\/strong><\/h4><p>2023 Inaugural Winner &#8211; Kevin McCarty (Guengerich lab)<br \/>2024 &#8211; Gabriela Vasquez Gonzalez (Cortez lab)<br \/>2025 &#8211; Jessica Day (Hodges lab)<h4><strong><a id=\"armstrongmorgenstern\" name=\"armstrongmorgenstern\"><\/a>Previous\u00a0Armstrong-Morgenstern Travel Award Recipients<\/strong><\/h4>2017 &#8211; Michael C. Goodman<br \/>2018 &#8211; Linnea Nilsson<h4><strong><a id=\"transition\" name=\"transition\"><\/a>Previous Armstrong Faculty\u00a0Transition Award Recipients<\/strong><\/h4>2018 Inaugural Winner &#8211; Kareem Mohni (Cortez Lab)<br \/>2019 &#8211; No candidate<br \/>2020 Winner- Kevin Lang (Merrikh Lab)<br \/>2021 &#8211; No candidate<br \/>2022 &#8211; No candidate<h4><strong><a id=\"mentoring\" name=\"mentoring\"><\/a>Previous Richard Armstrong Mentoring Award Recipients<\/strong><\/h4>2018 &#8211; Neil Osheroff, Ph.D.<br \/>2019 &#8211; F. Peter Guengerich, Ph.D.<br \/>2020 &#8211; Walter J. Chazin. Ph.D.<br \/>2021 &#8211; Charles R. Sanders, Ph.D.<br \/>2022 &#8211; Lawrence J. Marnett, Ph.D.<br \/>2023 &#8211; David K. Cortez, Ph.D., Biochemistry Chair<h4><strong><a id=\"chytil\" name=\"chytil\"><\/a>Previous\u00a0Frank Chytil Travel Award Recipients<\/strong><\/h4>2011 &#8211; Chelsea\u00a0Cupp\u00a0Sullivan<br \/>2014 &#8211; Lisa A. Poole (Cortez lab)<br \/>2015 &#8211; Timothy M. Shaver (Pietenpol lab)<br \/>2016 &#8211; No candidate<br \/>2017 &#8211; Matt Albertolle (Guengerich lab) &amp; Romell Gletten (Schey lab)<br \/>2018 &#8211; Sarah Arcos (Ascano lab)<br \/>2019 &#8211; Kelly Barnett (Hodges lab)<br \/>2020 &#8211; Justin Marinko (Sanders lab) &amp; Nicole Kendrick (Olivares lab)<br \/>2021 &#8211; No candidate<br \/>2022 &#8211; Jessica Collins (Osheroff lab) &amp; Steven Walker (Olivares lab)<br \/>2023 &#8211;\u00a0 Kevin McCarty (Guengerich lab) &amp; Menghan Mei (Ren lab)<br \/>2024 &#8211; Anna Johnson (Hiebert lab)<br \/>2025 &#8211; Ali Angelos (Ren lab)<h4><strong><a id=\"coniglio\" name=\"coniglio\"><\/a>Previous John G. Coniglio Award Recipients<\/strong><\/h4>1990 &#8211; Angela M. Gubitosi &amp;\u00a0 Bruce Allen Russell<br \/>1991 &#8211; Sanae Inagami &amp; Mathew Ian Wahl<br \/>1992 &#8211; Paul M. Swanson<br \/>1993 &#8211; William Gordon Tanner, Jr. &amp; Timothy John Gensler<br \/>1994 &#8211; Sunil K. Geevarghese &amp; Randall L. Woltjer<br \/>1995 &#8211; Dennis Rousseau, Jr. &amp; Lynn Wilkinson<br \/>1996 &#8211; Marie Christine Lawson<br \/>1997 &#8211; No\u00a0Candidate<br \/>1998 &#8211; Jefferson P. Lomenick<br \/>1999 &#8211; Richard A. Bucco, Jr.<br \/>2000 &#8211; Paul Kingma &amp; Asit Parika<br \/>2001 &#8211; Larry J. Biscoff<br \/>2002 &#8211; Zoe A. Stewart &amp; John A. Plastaras<br \/>2003 &#8211; Kevin Kozak<br \/>2004 &#8211; No Candidate<br \/>2005 &#8211; No Candidate<br \/>2006 &#8211; Manish N. Shah<br \/>2007 &#8211; Christopher Barbieri<br \/>2008 &#8211; Christopher Bunick<br \/>2009 &#8211; Carmen Ana Perez<br \/>2010 &#8211; Daniel Mordes<br \/>2011 &#8211; Jennifer Rosenbluth<br \/>2012 &#8211; Ana Perdigoto<br \/>\u200b2013 &#8211; No Candidate<br \/>2014 &#8211; Nicholas Smith<br \/>2015 &#8211; No Candidate<br \/>2016 &#8211; Kevin Kumar<br \/>2017 &#8211; A. Scott McCall<br \/>2018 &#8211; No candidate<br \/>2019 &#8211; No candidate<br \/>2020 &#8211; No candidate<br \/>2021 &#8211; Petria Thompson(Cortez Lab) &amp; Andy Hale\u00a0(York Lab)<br \/>2022 &#8211; No candidate<br \/>2023 &#8211;\u00a0Brynna S. Eisele, Ph.D. (York lab)<h4><strong><a id=\"cunningham\" name=\"cunningham\"><\/a>Previous Leon W. Cunningham Award for Excellence in Biochemistry Recipients<\/strong><\/h4>1996 &#8211; Richard A. Bucco<br \/>1997\u00a0&#8211; Audrey L. Lamb<br \/>1998 &#8211; Suzanne Szak<br \/>1999 &#8211; Kyle Furge<br \/>2000 &#8211; Zoe A. Stewart<br \/>2001 &#8211; Kevin Kozak<br \/>2002 &#8211; Kenneth A. Bromberg<br \/>2003 &#8211; Jeff Prusakiewicz<br \/>2004 &#8211; Christopher Barbieri<br \/>2005 &#8211; Christopher Bunick<br \/>2006 &#8211; Heather Ball<br \/>2007 &#8211; Courtney Lovejoy<br \/>2008 &#8211; Daniel Mordes<br \/>2009 &#8211; Christal D. Sohl<br \/>2010 &#8211; Carol Bansbach<br \/>2011 &#8211; Bianca Sirbu<br \/>2012 &#8211; Katie Aldred<br \/>2013 &#8211; Paul Barrett<br \/>2014 &#8211; Chelsea Sullivan<br \/>2015 &#8211; Catherine Deatherage<br \/>2016 &#8211; Lisa Poole<br \/>2017 &#8211; Thomas\u00a0Bass<br \/>2018 &#8211; Kami Bhat (Graduate Student, Cortez Lab) &amp; Kareem Mohni (Postdoc, Cortez Lab)<br \/>2019 &#8211; Elizabeth Gibson (Graduate Student, Osheroff Lab) &amp; Kareem Mohni (Postdoc, Cortez Lab)<br \/>2020 &#8211; Petria Thompson (Graduate Student, Cortez Lab) &amp; Sarah Wessel (Postdoc, Cortez Lab)<br \/>2021 &#8211; Sarah Glass\u00a0(Graduate Student, Guengerich Lab) &amp;\u00a0Wenpeng Liu\u00a0(Postdoc, Cortez Lab)<br \/>2022 &#8211; Alexandria Oviatt (Osheroff lab)<br \/>2023 &#8211; Tyler Hansen (Hodges lab)<br \/>2024-Menghan Mei (Ren lab)<h4><strong><a id=\"busenlehner\" name=\"busenlehner\"><\/a>Previous Laura Busenlehner Award for Outstanding Leadership and Research Recipients<\/strong><\/h4>2017 &#8211; Rachel Ashley<br \/>2018 &#8211; Kareem Mohni<br \/>2019 &#8211; Huang Hui<br \/>2021 &#8211; Elizabeth Neumann<br \/>2022 &#8211; Pratibha Ghodke (Guengerich lab)<br \/>2023\u00a0<strong>&#8211; <\/strong> Tamar &#8220;Tata&#8221; Kavlashvili (Dewar lab)<br \/>2024 &#8211; Katherine Stefanski, Ph.D. (Sanders lab)<br \/>2025 &#8211; Lindsey Guerin, Ph.D. (Hodges lab)<h4><strong>Previous Michael Waterman Outstanding Achievement in Postdoctoral Studies AWard<br \/><\/strong><\/h4>2022 Inaugural Winner- Madison Adolph, Ph.D. (Cortez lab)<br \/>2023\u00a0&#8211; Alex Blee, Ph.D. (Chazin lab)<br \/>2024 &#8211; Juan Carvajal-Garcia, Ph.D. (Merrikh lab)2025 &#8211; Katherine Stefanski, Ph.D. (Sanders lab)<h4><strong><a id=\"destination\" name=\"destination\"><\/a>Previous Destination Biochemistry Postdoctoral Scholars<\/strong><\/h4><strong>Destination Biochemistry Benjamin Danzo Postdoctoral Scholar Award:<\/strong><br \/>June 2022 &#8211; Hrishita Das, Ph.D. (Carter lab)<br \/>June 2023 &#8211; Yasemin Baris, Ph.D. (Cortez lab)<br \/>October 2024 &#8211; Kasia Tutak, Ph.D. (Karbstein lab)<strong>Destination Biochemistry Stanley Cohen Postdoctoral Scholar Award:<\/strong>October 2022 &#8211; Erin Jennings, Ph.D. (Rathmell Lab)<br \/>October 2023 &#8211; Savannah Pollenz, Ph.D. (Dewar lab)<br \/>February 2024 &#8211; Abdallah Samih Alhaj Sulaiman, Ph.D. (Merrikh lab)<br \/>July 2025 &#8211; Hannah Collins, Ph.D. (Carter lab)<strong>Destination Biochemistry Advanced Postdoctoral Scholar Award:<\/strong>2022 &#8211; Kavi Mehta, Ph.D. (Cortez Lab)2025 &#8211; Juan Carjaval-Garcia, Ph.D. (Merrikh Lab)<\/p>\n            <\/details>\n          <\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Link List &#8211; Right Hand Column PlaceholderRefresh After Saving to Remove .link-list.jump-links{ padding-left: 0 !important; } Donate to Biochemistry Research Biochemistry Department Biochemistry Graduate Education Fund Clinical Translation Fund Richard Armstrong Family Fund Graduate Student Awards Frank Chytil Travel Award Nominations open annually until November 12026 Winner &#8211; Miriam Bregman (Mitchell lab)Previous Frank Chytil Travel [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-107","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"ACF":{"topper_style":"default","topper_overline":"","topper_title":"","topper_intro":"","default_topper_background_type":"image","default_topper_background_image":6588,"footer_style":"standard","recirculation_style":"none","page_style_option":"details","page_theme_option":"light","page_class_name":"","page_jumplinks_option":"yes","nav_menu":"","nav_menu_secondary":"no"},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/107","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=107"}],"version-history":[{"count":542,"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/107\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8763,"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/107\/revisions\/8763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=107"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/biochemistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=107"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}