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Vanderbilt College of Arts and Science | March 2025
Explorer
Dean's Note
To say that College of Arts and Science students and graduates are talented is a vast understatement. These future and current leaders are securing Fulbright Scholarships (nine from A&S alone), conducting brain cancer research, producing powerful films, winning creative writing awards, and so much more. And, they’re having fun while doing it. These are but a few of the exceptional people who are living our mission: to address the most enduring challenges of our time and make a positive impact on the world. I am immensely proud of this young community and how they are expanding knowledge and understanding across the arts and the sciences.

McNamara headshot
My best,
Timothy P. McNamara
Searcy Family Dean of the College of Arts and Science

featured stories
smiling man in front of a research lab building
One undergraduate's path to treating brain cancer
Senior Shanay Desai has been conducting neuroscience research since his freshman year, and now heads toward a Ph.D. in pharmacology where he'll be looking for new brain cancer therapies.
Person looking at an art exhibit
Art and science collide in Arctic exhibit
The newest exhibit at the VU Museum of Art, co-curated by Jana Harper (art) and Lutz Koepnick (German), features the multi-disciplinary work of artist Jessica Houston.
smiling man
New report shows legislative gridlock did not stop lawmaking
The latest report by the Center for Effective Lawmaking, co-directed by Alan Wiseman (political science), found that legislators in the 118th Congress found ways to work together despite political divides. 
side-by-side headshots of a man and woman
Lab reveals link between transport proteins and brain disease
Research led by Mintu Chandra (biological sciences) in Lauren Jackson's Lab, revealed insights into the molecular architecture of sorting nexin complexes—findings that have implications for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Social Spotlight
GO: Instagram Jennie learns chemistry Girl at printing press with play button overlay
From the chemistry of colors to the quoins of letterpress, join undergraduate student Jennie as she learns new skills across A&S!
In the Media
Live Science: Was medieval armor bulletproof?
Peter Lorge (history), quoted.
The New York Times: Humans have been perfecting avocados for 7,500 years
Tom Dillehay (anthropology), quoted.
The Tennessean: Neurodivergent workers are talented. Too many workplaces are overlooking them.
Keivan Stassun (physics and astronomy), co-authored.
The Guardian: Babangida's Memoir is a product of anxiety over his legacy, say experts
Moses Ochonu, (history), quoted.
Tasting Table: The coffee hack that keeps mosquitoes out of your kitchen
Laurence Zwiebel (biological sciences), quoted.
The Tennessean: U.S. falls in global free speech support ratings, new Vanderbilt University report finds
Jacob Mchangama, (political science), quoted.

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November snapshot
collage of professors from pi day
Pi Day = Pie Day in the Department of Mathematics!
Text: Vanderbilt Giving Day 2025

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Vanderbilt University College of Arts and Science
404 Buttrick Hall, Nashville, TN 37240
Visit us: as.vanderbilt.edu

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