Vanderbilt-Meharry Annual Pharmacology Retreat

Each Fall, the department hosts a retreat giving students & postdoctoral fellows the opportunity to present their future research plans in a 10-minute presentation.  The retreat is an important component of the Pharmacology Department and the Ph.D. program.  It has been a joint Vanderbilt-Meharry venture for almost 20 years and is a successful continuation of our efforts to foster the alliance that has developed over the years between the two institutions.

Since 2006 our graduate students have organized practically every aspect of the retreat such as identifying and inviting the keynote speaker (usually an alum of our pharmacology program), organizing competitions for “Best Talk” awards, and developing thematic programs.

First-year student presentations are developed to explain a research problem, its importance, and what has been learned to date.  The students are reminded that the majority of the presentation is to explain what they want to accomplish or learn in the coming year and what strategies they will employ.  This emphasis on the future tense encourages substantial input, discussion, and critical consideration of the student’s project.  Furthermore, by learning the methodologies being established in different laboratories, students can readily learn from one another.  Often collaborations emerge at the retreat and this scientific exchange has fostered enhanced productivity of students and mentors alike.

2024 Pharmacology Retreat

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