MSTP Blog
MSTPastimes: Xavier Bledsoe’s (G1) Ceramics
Jul. 29, 2020—by Emily Chu (G1) How long have you been doing ceramics and how did you get into it? I’ve been doing ceramics since 8th grade when I had to learn pottery for an art class. I was miserable at painting and drawing because nothing ever looked like I wanted it to. The same thing was...
Alumni Profile: Brian Grieb, M.D., Ph.D. (’16)
Jul. 28, 2020—By Natalie Bennett (G2) Dr. Brian Grieb, M.D., Ph.D. is a 2016 graduate of the Vanderbilt MSTP and a hematology and oncology fellow in the Vanderbilt Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP). He is also an Associate College Advisor for Goodpasture College. I had the opportunity to speak with him over the phone to learn about his...
MSTPublications: July 2020
Jul. 28, 2020—Accounting for diverse evolutionary forces reveals mosaic patterns of selection on human preterm birth loci. LaBella AL*, Abraham A*, Pichkar Y, Fong SL, Zhang G, Muglia LJ, Abbot P, Rokas A, Capra JA. Nat Commun. 2020 Jul 24;11(1):3731. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17258-6. PMID: 32709900 Currently, there is no comprehensive framework to evaluate the evolutionary forces acting on...
Honors and Awards – July 2020
Jul. 28, 2020—Congratulations to Natalie Bennett (G2) for being named the MSTP Student Advisory Chair-Elect for the 2020-2021 Academic Year! Congratulations to Nick Petersen (G2) for being named the new Vanderbilt MSTP APSA representative Elect. Congratulations to Jay Kang (G3) for receiving the Basic Sciences Dean’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in Graduate Studies. Congratulations to G4s Connor Beebout and...
2020 Vanderbilt MSTP Retreat
Jun. 29, 2020—by Chris Wijers (G3) In a year in which many events and meetings have been adapted to a virtual format due to the ongoing pandemic, the annual MSTP retreat was no exception. While the organizing committee (i.e. the rising G3 class and the Leadership Team – mostly Bryn) initially planned for a more traditional, in...
MSTPastries
Jun. 26, 2020—Some of our MSTP students have spent the pandemic improving their baking skills, perhaps to prepare for the next MSTP baking contest! Brad Reinfeld (G4) made this gorgeous loaf of bread! We see some ripe bananas in the background – will banana bread be next? Stephanie Cajigas (G1) made these scrumptious blueberry sweet rolls with lemon...
New Resource Available for Fellowship Applicants
Jun. 26, 2020—Edge for Scholars (EFS) Funded Grants Library is a new tool available for trainees writing a NRSA fellowship application. The library includes over two dozen examples of NRSA fellowship applications (F30, F31, F32) written by Vanderbilt trainees that include original submissions, resubmissions, and summary statements. There are also a few AHA fellowship applications in the...
Life in the MSTP – June 2020
Jun. 26, 2020—John Snow (M4) and Katie Doherty (VUSM alumnus and pediatric resident) recently wed! Congratulations to Brynna (G4) and Scott Eisele on the birth of their daughter Sylvia who was born on May 25 weighing 7lb 1 oz! Nick Petersen (G2) and his partner, Josh Carrelo-Méndez, have been steadily transforming their backyard into a plant-filled paradise/hang-out...
MSTP Colleague of the Month Winners!
Jun. 26, 2020—Thank you to everyone who voted for our MSTP Colleague of the Month in last month’s newsletter! The winner was Chris Peek (G4) and Jenny Marvin-Peek’s (PGY1) dog Zeus! In second place we have Brooke and Jack Walker’s (G5) dogs. Taking third place is Michael Raddatz (M4) and Demetra Hufnagel’s (VMS IV) cat.
Introducing the Vanderbilt MSTP Incoming Class of 2020!
Jun. 25, 2020—The Vanderbilt MSTP is excited to introduce the incoming class of 2020, who started program orientation (virtually) on June 16th. We are delighted to have such a bright group of future physician-scientists join our program. Some of them certainly come to us with an interesting skillset! Welcome, new M1s! Kimberly (Kimmy) Bress Hometown: Melbourne Beach, FL Undergraduate: University of...
MSTPublications: June 2020
Jun. 25, 2020—DEPDC5 haploinsufficiency drives increased mTORC1 signaling and abnormal morphology in human iPSC-derived cortical neurons. Klofas LK, Short BP, Snow JP, Sinnaeve J, Rushing GV, Westlake G, Weinstein W, Ihrie RA, Ess KC, Carson RP. Neurobiol Dis. 2020 Jun 20:104975. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104975. [Epub ahead of print] Mutations in the DEPDC5 gene can cause epilepsy, including forms...
Jerome Arceneaux Appointed SNMA National Community Service Committee Co-Chairperson
Jun. 12, 2020—Jerome Arceneaux, 5th year MD-PhD student from Meharry Medical College, was appointed SNMA National Community Service Committee Co-Chairperson. Jerome is completing his PhD in the lab of Dr. Brad Grueter at Vanderbilt, and the Vanderbilt MSTP is lucky to have Jerome as part of our community. Congratulations Jerome! Read more about Jerome and this honor...
MSTP Programming Workshop
May. 28, 2020—by Evonne McArthur (G2) Usually, Wednesdays at noon in May are a pretty boring time for MSTP students–the seminar series ends in April but DIB club doesn’t start until June. However, this May, Danny Sack (G2), Thomas Li (M1), Abin Abraham (G3), Duncan Smart (G2), and I (G2) put on a 5-part MSTP Programming workshop...
#COVEID19: Ramadan and Eid in the midst of a global pandemic
May. 28, 2020—by Ayesha Muhammad (G2) In my 29 years of existence, without fail, the night that marks the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, has been welcomed with extra prayers, Taraweeh, in the mosque. On the night of April 23rd 2020, however, hundreds of thousands of Muslims in the US experienced a bittersweet moment:...
Honors and Awards – May 2020
May. 26, 2020— Congratulations to graduates Drs. Kevin Graepel, Rachana Haliyur, and Jonathan Knowlton for receiving the Dean’s Award for Research! This award recognizes graduates who best exemplify attributes that lead to success in basic science or clinical research. Congratulations to graduates Drs. Kevin Graepel and Katherine Konvinse for receiving the Award for Excellence in Infectious Diseases in Pediatrics! This...