![](https://cdn.vanderbilt.edu/vu-web/medschool-wpcontent/sites/13/2018/08/25025118/Richardson-Tiffany_photo1718.jpg)
Tiffany Richardson
Graduate Student, Powers-Brissova Laboratory, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
I’m currently a PhD candidate in the Molecular Physiology and Biophysics department at Vanderbilt University. I received my undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 2017 with a degree in Molecular Biology and a minor in Engineering Biology. At Princeton, I investigated the biophysical dynamics and interactions within the nucleolus using novel optogenetic systems. I’m a National Science Foundation Graduate Student Fellow and an Endocrine Society Future Leaders in Endocrinology (FLARE) Fellow.
As a member of the Powers-Brissova Research Group, I have worked to elucidate the innervation landscape within the exocrine and endocrine portions of the human pancreas. I’m also studying the effects of ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 3 (NTPDase3) on hormone secretion and whole-body glucose homeostasis in mouse models and human islets. Upon completion of my doctoral degree, I’m interested in pursuing a career in scientific communication or a post-doctoral position in the diabetes field.