Every Fall, the Department of Pharmacology brings together its vibrant community for an annual retreat to highlight the work of students and postdoctoral fellows. This event offers participants to showcase their research vision through 10-minute presentations, emphasizing future goals and innovative strategies.
Now approaching its 20th year, the retreat is a cornerstone of both the Ph.D. program and our longstanding partnership between Vanderbilt and Meharry. Since 2006, our graduate students have taken the lead in planning the retreat selecting keynote speakers (often program alumni), crafting programs, and organizing competitions for “Best Talk” awards.
First-year students kick off the program by outlining a research problem, its importance, and how they plan to execute the study in the future, emphasizing what they want to accomplish and the strategies they will use in the coming year. This presentation not only promotes scientific thinking but also brings about discussion and feedback to shape the direction of the project. This fuels collaboration and learning from other laboratories in the department.
The retreat is an impactful event that fosters collaboration, allowing students to gain insight into new methodologies, forge connections that lead to exciting discoveries. Each year bring brings about a powerful environment where science, mentorship, and community thrive.
