Students/Training
Graduate Student Training Opportunities
Graduate students in VICB laboratories benefit from the exceptional level of collaboration that naturally flows from the multidisciplinary research approach. Students who are interested in Chemical Biology should first learn about the four admission programs through which they may apply for graduate study at Vanderbilt, all of which provide access to VICB member labs.
VICB members represent 18 different departments in Vanderbilt’s College of Arts and Sciences and School of Medicine. Thus, their research interests are diverse. Prospective students should explore the VICB research section to search for VICB investigators who are pursuing research of interest to them.
Chemical Biology Association of Students (CBAS)
We are an organization that strives to promote professional and social relationships between students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty in the chemical biology discipline at VU and VUMC.
Learn more about us here!
Please email cbas@vanderbilt.edu if you’d like to be added to the CBAS listserv for up-to-date news and announcements!
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Admission Programs
Chemistry Department Graduate Program
College of Arts and Science
This multidisciplinary Ph.D. program trains chemists in a number of areas including Chemical Biology. go >
Quantitative & Chemical Biology Graduate Program
College of Arts and Science and the School of Medicine
A program that allows students who have earned undergraduate or masters degrees in the quantitative sciences (e.g. chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, or physics) to pursue graduate studies at the interface of these disciplines with the biological sciences. go >
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
School of Medicine
Individuals pursuing a Ph.D. in the basic biomedical or biological science departments at Vanderbilt University join participating departments through the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in the Biomedical Sciences (IGP). go >
Medical Scientist Training Program
School of Medicine
The program provides students with an integrated curriculum that features a strong core education in medicine and intensive training in scientific inquiry. Successful completion of the program leads to both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. The Vanderbilt MSTP builds on the existing strengths of Vanderbilt University to meet national needs for well-trained basic and clinical biomedical investigators. go >
Other Programs
Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Program
The Chemistry-Biology Interface (CBI) Training Program at Vanderbilt University is an NIH-sponsored training program that supports graduate students studying at the interface of chemistry and biology. go >
Chemical Biology of Infectious Disease Training Program
The Chemical Biology of Infectious Diseases (CBID) Training Program brings talented young people to the field and develops a new cadre of researchers prepared to address the growing threat of infectious diseases. go >
Postdoctoral Training
The 70 members of the VICB span 18 different departments in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine. Most investigators provide opportunities for postdoctoral training. Prospective fellows should explore the research section to identify VICB members who are pursuing research in their fields of interest.
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs within the Biomedical Research and Training Office maintains a web site that lists postdoctoral opportunities, and provides a mechanism through which applicants may post their CVs. However, prospective fellows are also encouraged to contact VICB members directly to inquire about upcoming positions that may not appear on the site. Visit the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs to learn more about the postdoctoral experience at Vanderbilt, including helpful information concerning relocating to Nashville, stipends and benefits, career development programs, and institutional policies.
Undergraduate Research
Undergraduates interested in a career in scientific research have an excellent opportunity to gain hands on research experience through the VICB’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Chemical Biology. Vanderbilt students may participate in a more extensive experience through The Beckman Scholars Program.
For Vanderbilt Students
To provide students with training in modern principles at a chemistry-biology interface, Vanderbilt’s interdisciplinary major in Biochemistry & Chemical Biology incorporates expertise from multiple departments in the University. Students receive a broad background in the natural sciences (chemistry, biology, physics) and mathematics, followed by fundamental core training in principles of biochemistry and chemical biology that involves both theoretical and laboratory coursework.
Students then pursue an area of emphasis in either Biochemistry or Chemical Biology through upper level elective courses. Students participate in independent research in laboratories of biochemistry and chemical biology faculty. Additional research experience is available in the Honors Program.
The Beckman Scholars Program provides scholarships that contribute significantly in advancing the education, research training and personal development of select students in chemistry, biochemistry, and the biological and medical sciences.
The sustained, in-depth undergraduate research experiences and comprehensive faculty mentoring are unique in terms of program scope, content and level of scholarship awards. go >
Biochemistry and Chemical Biology (BCB) Undergraduate Major
Chemical biology and biochemistry use chemical insight, techniques, and tools to study or manipulate biological systems. They are the cornerstones of medical technology and therapeutics. To provide students with training in modern principles at a chemistry-biology interface, Vanderbilt’s interdisciplinary major in Biochemistry & Chemical Biology incorporates expertise from multiple departments in the University. Students receive a broad background in the natural sciences (chemistry, biology, physics) and mathematics, followed by fundamental core training in principles of biochemistry and chemical biology that involves both theoretical and laboratory coursework. Students then pursue an area of emphasis in either Biochemistry or Chemical Biology through upper level elective courses. go >
For All Undergraduates
The VICB’s Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program is a ten week hands-on course designed to introduce chemistry, biochemistry, and biology students to the research processes and the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary research.
Students participate in a mini-symposium on drug discovery, attend seminars given by VICB faculty working across disciplinary lines and participate in weekly discussions on relevant topics. The summer program provides a $4,500 stipend, on-campus housing, and $500 in travel expenses to Vanderbilt. go >
In addition to these programs, many individual VICB faculty have summer positions for undergraduates. To find these positions, undergraduates should go to the VICB Members page and search for faculty who are doing research that interests them. They should then contact that faculty member directly to inquire about summer research opportunities. Each faculty member who has a position will provide instructions for applying to his/her laboratory. Students are encouraged to make these inquiries early in the spring semester, before positions are filled.