Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we hold the sincere belief that fostering the advancement of and respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion of all students, faculty, and staff benefits dour programs and all members of our community. Some resources available to support our students and community are below:

Basic Sciences Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Resources in the Basic Sciences Division

Some of the departments and programs affiliated with the IGP and QCB have their own DEI Basic Sciences Coordinating Committees:

• Biochemistry https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/biochemistry/dei/
• Cell & Developmental Biology https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/cdb/about/dei/
• Pharmacology https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/pharmacology/pharmacology-diversity-equity-inclusivity-committee/
• Molecular Physiology & Biophysics https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/mpb/diversity-equity-inclusion/
• Program for Cancer Biology https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/cancer-biology/dei-committee/
• Vanderbilt Brain Institute https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/brain-institute/
• Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflamation (VI4) https://www.vumc.org/viiii/immuknow/vi4-dei-committee-feature

Other Resources:

Frist Center for Autism and Innovation: A center focuses on engineering technologies and transforming the workplace, inspired by neurodiversity. Your source for information on neurodiversity and autism resources.

Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD): this program exists to increase the number of Ph.D.s awarded to graduate students in biomedical research who are underrepresented in science.

Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center: The epicenter of the Black experience at Vanderbilt, a place with programming, resources, and fellowship for students, alumni, faculty and staff

Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center: an affirming space for women with programming and resources

Office for LGBTQI Life in the KC Potter Center: a cultural center and place of support and affirmation for individuals of all identities.

Office of Equal Opportunity and Access: EOA provides a range of services that support Vanderbilt’s commitment to fairness, equity, access and respect.

Please note that animals not associated with research being performed are not permitted in laboratories that have a biosafety level designation. Limited exceptions for a service dog may be granted to those who work in laboratories designated as Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1), which have the least risk. To justify an exception, the university must conduct a needs and risk assessment to determine feasibility and safety for the animal, the research, and the people in the lab. For questions regarding service animals, employees should contact the office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA) at 615-343-9336, and students should contact Student Access at 615-343-9727.