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Congratulations!
The following assistant professors were promoted to associate professors: Vivian Gama (CDB), Marija Zanic (CDB), Carlos Lopez (Biochemistry), and John Karijolich (PMI). Additionally, Jenny Schafer (CDB) was promoted to research associate professor.
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Fesik awarded the Stock Award Lectureship
Stephen Fesik (Biochemistry) has been presented with the C. Chester Stock Award Lectureship (here, under “Clinical Awards”) from the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
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Hamm, Guengerich elected inaugural ASBMB fellows
Two faculty members, Heidi Hamm (Pharmacology) and Fred Guengerich (Biochemistry), have been inducted into the inaugural class of fellows of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
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Townsend earns Gin New Investigator Award
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SOM Faculty Awards recognize Basic Sciences faculty
The 2021 Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching, Outstanding Contributions to Research and Extraordinary Performance of Clinical Service were presented during the annual spring faculty meeting. Amongst the awardees were several primary and secondary Basic Sciences faculty:
- Dan Roden (Medicine), recipient of the F. Peter Guengerich Award for mentoring postdoctoral fellows or residents in the research setting
- Manny Ascano (Biochemistry), recipient of the Richard M. Caprioli Award, for the development, implementation, and/or creation of technology that elevates the research and science of multiple investigators
- Raymond Harris (Medicine), recipient of the Ernest W. Goodpasture Award for groundbreaking research that addresses the pathogenesis of disease at the cellular and/or molecular level
- James Goldenring (Surgery), Sari Acra (Clinical Pediatrics), and Hernan Correa (PMI), recipients of the John A. Oates Award for working collaboratively to address important biological processes and/or diseases
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Wente receives Mary Jane Werthan Award
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Graduate School scholarships
The Vanderbilt University Graduate School has named the recipients of a series of endowed and non-endowed scholarships for Ph.D. students:
- The inaugural Family S Graduate Scholarship, which recognizes excellence in autism research, was awarded to Kacie Dunham (Neuroscience, Tiffany Woynaroski and Carissa Cascio labs), Zachary Williams (Neuroscience, Woynaroski and Cascio labs), and Mikin Patel (Biological Sciences, Alissa Weaver lab).
- The Lai Sulin Scholarship, which recognizes excellence in cancer research, was awarded to Cody Heiser (CPB, Ken Lau lab).
- The Richard Bennett/Dorothy Danforth Compton Prize recognizes the best science or engineering research proposal from a first-year, minority student, and was awarded to Kim Ellis (IGP) and Ismael Ortiz (Biomedical Engineering, Cynthia Reinhart-King lab).
- The Smriti Bardhan, Ph.D. Scholarship provides merit-based financial support for deserving students in life sciences or bioscience and was awarded to Jacob Steenwyk (Biological Sciences, Antonis Rokas lab).
- Harold Stirling Vanderbilt Awards are presented to graduate students who excel in their research and are granted by each department. This year, the following students are HSV Award recipients: Yakov Pichkar and Adriana Norris (Biological Sciences, Julian Hillyer lab); Isabella Gaeta and Gillian Fitz (CDB, Matt Tyska lab); Steven Walker (CPB, Adrian Olivares lab); Jason Hughes (MPB, Gregor Neuert lab); and Nicollete Brianne Frazer (Neuroscience, Bruce Carter lab)
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Student and postdoc fellowships
The following students and postdocs earned fellowships from funding agencies:
- From the NIH: Zachary Williams (Neuroscience, Woynaroski and Cascio labs), Brad Reinfeld (Cancer Biology, Kim Rathmell lab), Emily Morrow (Hearing and Speech Sciences, Melissa Duff lab), Benjamin Hacker (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Marjan Rafat lab), Mary Chalkley (CDB, Rebecca Ihrie lab), Laura Geben (CDB, Rebecca Ihrie lab)
- From the American Heart Association: James Hayes (CDB, Dylan Burnette lab), Jonah Zarrow (CPB, Sean Davies lab)
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ASM Travel Award for Shealy
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Hale, Thomson earn Coniglio Prize
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Hale, Shiuan, DiCarlo earn award for research
Each year, the School of Medicine awards the Dean’s Award for Research Achievements to graduating medical students who best exemplify the attributes that lead to success in research, including creativity, dedication, and careful diligence. The following students, all MSTP students and Ph.D. graduates, earned this recognition: Andrew Hale (John York lab), Eileen Shiuan (Jin Chen lab), and Gabriella DiCarlo (Mark Wallace lab).
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Biological Sciences awards to Steenwyk, Hatmaker, Wallace, Norris
The Department of Biological Sciences has awarded three prizes to graduate students for 2021: the Graduate Research Excellence Award went to Jacob Steenwyk (BioSci, Antonis Rokas lab), the Hickory Stick Award for Outstanding Teaching Assistant to Anne Hatmaker (BioSci, Antonis Rokas lab) and Natalie Wallace (BioSci, Lauren Jackson lab), and the Ann Bernard Martin Award for Excellence in Graduate Research to Adriana Norris (BioSci, Todd Graham lab).
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Incoming students come with GRFP honors
Two incoming Ph.D. students were recently granted an award or an honorable mention under the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program: McKenzie Windham and Heather Hartmann, respectively.
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Fresh-from-the-oven grads
The following Ph.D. students successfully defended their dissertation or completed a master’s degree between March and May:
- Biochemistry: Katherine Rothamel, Ph.D.
- Biological Sciences: Mikin Patel, Ph.D.; Dominic Vita, Ph.D.; Yan Yan, Ph.D.
- Cancer Biology: Aaron Lim, Ph.D.; Paula Smith, Ph.D.
- Cell & Developmental Biology: Natalya Ortolano, Ph.D.; Cherie’ Scurrah, Ph.D.; Claire Strothman, Ph.D.
- Chemical & Physical Biology: Oscar Ortega Sandoval, Ph.D.; Marshal Phipps, Ph.D.; Ben Reisman, Ph.D.
- Epidemiology: Lauren Peetluk, Ph.D.; Zhiguo Zhao, Ph.D.
- Human Genetics: Abin Abraham, Ph.D.; Victoria Martucci, Ph.D.
- Microbe-Host Interactions: Cody Stothers, Ph.D.
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics: Sarah Graff, Ph.D.; Jack Walker, Ph.D.
- Neuroscience: Elizabeth Flook, Ph.D.; Joseph Luchsinger, Ph.D.; David Tovar Argueta, Ph.D.; Jordyn Wilcox, Ph.D.
- Pharmacology: Francis Prael, Ph.D.
Want to keep up with upcoming defenses? Bookmark this calendar. And let us know if we missed anyone from this list!
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Guarnaccia highlighted as #VU2021 grad
Alissa Guarnaccia was recently profiled as part of the Class of 2021 series. Guarnaccia was a CDB student in the lab of Bill Tansey.
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IGP, QCB recruit in record numbers
Vanderbilt’s Ph.D. umbrella programs, the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences and the Quantitative and Chemical Biology program, recruited nearly 90 students for its 2021-2022 cohorts.
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NIGMS highlights MARC program
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences recently highlighted Vanderbilt’s Maximizing Access to Research Careers for undergraduates who aim to do a Ph.D. or an M.D./Ph.D. Co-directors Douglas McMahon (BioSci) and Katherine Friedman (BioSci) led the first cohort of six rising juniors.
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New interneuronal communication using extracellular vesicles
Researchers from the lab of Ege Kavalali (Pharmacology) probed how synaptic proteins that are transported via extracellular vesicles can impact neuronal function.
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Improving understanding of fundamental cell behavior
The lab of Gregor Neuert (MPB) has discovered that cells respond differently to acute stress than to gradual stress, which can improve drug development efforts.
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Using a compound to improve longevity
Jason MacGurn (CDB) and his lab recently found that the compound myriocin affects the function of amino acid transporters to lower amino acid availability and promote longevity in yeast, with implications for humans.
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Increased levels of ion channel on cell surface
The Chuck Sanders lab (Biochemistry) surveyed known arrhythmia-linked gain-of-function mutations in the KCNQ1 potassium ion channel and found that seven of 15 were supertrafficking mutations.
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Potential drug target against obesity, eating disorders
A collaboration between Richard Simerly (MPB) and colleagues at Michigan State University have identified a potential drug target for treating obesity and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa: melanocortin 3 receptor or MC3R.
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Understanding alcohol use disorder
Alcohol use disorder impacts women worse than it does men, and new research from the labs of Jennifer Blackford (Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences) and Danny Winder (MPB) suggests that the sex-based difference is due to structural connectivity issues in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.
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Immune cells have highest glucose uptake in tumors
A collaboration between the labs of Jeff Rathmell (PMI), Kim Rathmell (Medicine), and others upended a long-standing model of cancer metabolism when they identified macrophages—not cancer cells—as the highest consumers of glucose in the tumor microenvironment.
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Preventing the activation of the innate immune response
The lab of John Karijolich (PMI) found that the regulatory protein TDP-43 prevents endogenous RNAs from triggering cell death.
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Personalized Structural Biology aids cancer treatment decisions
Using computer modeling and a structure-based approach, Christine Lovly (Medicine), Jens Meiler (Chemistry) and colleagues are studying the functional consequences of genetic mutations and how those changes can drive cancerous growth.
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New insights into kidney development
Researchers from the lab of Roy Zent (Medicine), induced mutations in a protein complex called IPP—an intracellular signaling platform—and found that they disrupted the complex to varying degrees, causing abnormalities in kidney development.
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Beta cell regeneration
Research by Marcela Brissova (Medicine) and Al Powers (Medicine) shows that endothelial cells modulate macrophage recruitment and phenotype and that macrophages are essential for beta cell recovery in the pancreas.
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Extra reading
In addition to the papers listed above, we believe you might be interested in these recent publications:
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VU Libraries now offer access to Nature Metabolism
Vanderbilt Libraries are pleased to announce that they have purchased access to the journal Nature Metabolism, plus have gained access to three new research modules from the Journal of Visualized Experiments: Biochemistry, Genetics, and Cancer Research. You can access these resources through the biomedical library’s homepage via the library catalog, or the journals link under the search box.
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Wellness Rooms available soon!
Basic Sciences is committed to meeting the needs of its nursing mothers as they return to work. As such, the Office of the Dean is proud to announce the opening of two new Wellness Rooms located in 715C PRB and 6136 MRBIII. Each room features comfortable chairs, an ottoman, a Medela breast pump with sanitizing bags and cleansers, and a television you can use for music, watching your favorite show, or projecting your computer if you need to work. Each room also has a refrigerator for the temporary storage of breast milk, a microwave for sanitization, a kitchenette with sink, dimmable lighting, a mirror, and a nearby bathroom. Keep an eye out for the next newsletter to find out how to book the room. In the meantime, you can reach out to our office of Facilities, Infrastructure and Risk Management if you have any questions.
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IMSD welcomes new program manager
The Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity has welcomed Kafond Wilder as its new program manager. Wilder has a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration and joins us following a position as academic advisor at Jackson State University.
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We want YOU on our Instagram!
Basic Sciences is more than just our research—we’re a community of individuals driven to excel in biomedical research. Let us feature you on our Instagram! We want to see you in lab, outside of lab, with friends (physically distant and masked, though!), in the wilderness—wherever you are, we want to see you. Tag or DM us on social media (@vubasicsciences).
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Tweet, tweet!
Tweeting your recent research can help spread its reach, expand your network, and perhaps help you find new collaborators — so let us tweet it for you. Give us some quick info on your paper here and we’ll do the rest. Make sure to bookmark the link to keep it handy for the next time you publish a paper!
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Conversations with Will Welch, Langhorne Slim
As part of its monthly seminar series and in recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, Basic Sciences hosted GQ’s global editorial director Will Welch for a discussion with Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research Director Danny Winder (MPB) and Erin Calipari (Pharmacology). Additionally, Winder and Calipari had a separate conversation with singer-songwriter Langhorne Slim on addiction recovery.
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Vanderbilt awarded S10 funding for the purchase of a Glacios cryo-TEM Microscope
In addition to capabilities for rapid screening and imaging of smaller particles, the camera will allow for electron diffraction experiments from micro crystals. Teru Nakagawa (MPB) was the PI for the proposal, but the Cryo-Em Facility’s co-directors Melissa Chambers and Scott Collier, plus a number of Basic Sciences faculty, contributed to the completion of the proposal.
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Quick Guide to Equipment Purchases on an NIH Research Grant
If you need to purchase capital equipment but you’re not sure how to do it, check out this handy guide written by our very own Associate Dean for Research Chuck Sanders and Pod 2 Administrative Officer Robert Dortch. Don’t forget to bookmark it for reference!
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Transfer and commercialization of Basic Sciences tech
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Welcome, Hepowit and Bratton!
Nathaniel Hepowit has been appointed a research assistant professor in the Jason MacGurn lab. Benjamin Bratton will be joining the PMI department as an assistant professor.
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Graduate students hold successful food drive
Given the recent plights that have afflicted Nashville, the Pharmacology Graduate Student Association, in collaboration with the GSAs of Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Cell and Developmental Biology, and Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, held a food drive to benefit Second Harvest Tennessee last month. Together, they rounded up 719 pounds of non-perishable food, including formula and baby food.
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New to Basically Speaking! Meet the staff who keep Basic Sciences running. Want to nominate someone? Email us.
Staff Feature: Dan Quimby
Dan Quimby, the POD 3 pre-award grants manager for the Department of Pharmacology, is responsible for helping faculty, postdocs, and students prepare their applications for submission and funding. In addition to government and foundation grants, he assists with the preparation of contracts, progress reports, and other ancillary documents. Quimby is part of a great team of people who work together to ensure collective success, and he is very grateful to be a part of such a wonderful group.
Fun fact: Quimby and his wife run a dog boarding business from their home: Nicole’s Doggie Retreat!
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External Funding Opportunities
Ancora rare genetic diseases funding
Each therapeutic discovery project supported by this funding opportunity must focus on a clear therapeutic hypothesis enabled by genetic and biological understanding of disease pathophysiology with cellular and in vivo models available. To create a profile with Ancora Innovations and learn more about the Letter of Intent application, please click here. Interested faculty should email Margaret Read to learn more about next steps and formal submission.
Funding for COVID-19 research
Many new COVID-19-related funding opportunities are now available from both federal agencies and from private foundations. For an excellent and constantly updated list, visit the VU OVPR website. If you stumble upon new grant programs that you think may be of broad interest, please forward this info to Chuck Sanders and we will make sure they are appropriately posted.
NIH to provide childcare support
Thanks to ongoing efforts to support family-friendly work environments for the NIH-supported workforce, the NIH will begin providing childcare support to recipients of NRSA fellowships, on or after April 8, 2021. More info here.
NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Program
This grant supports individual scientists of exceptional creativity who propose highly innovative research projects that reflect substantially different scientific directions from those already being pursued in the investigator’s research program or elsewhere. Application due September 10, 2021.
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Internal Funding Opportunities
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Have a job opening you’d like to promote? Send us a link or a description and contact info, and we’ll post it below.
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About this Issue's Banner
This image of mutant fission yeast cells was taken by Maya Igarashi, a research assistant in the lab of Kathy Gould (CDB). These mutant cells abnormally accumulate cell wall material at the septum (middle) and tips. Igarashi snapped this image for a study exploring cell wall construction in fission yeast, and stained the cells with the cell wall stains calcofluor (cyan) and FITC-lectin (magenta).
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About the Newsletter
This newsletter recognizes the achievements and latest discoveries of students, postdocs, faculty, and staff associated with the departments, centers, and cores of Basic Sciences or who carry out basic biomedical research.
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Catch Up on Basic Sciences!
We regularly update our website with some of the latest VU Basic Sciences news stories.
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Faculty & Facility Profiles
Check out our faculty interviews and our facility highlights here.
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Send Us Your News
Got an announcement or an upcoming event you'd like us to post? Let us know!
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Fiona Yull, associate professor of pharmacology, discusses her research into the role of the NF-κB family of transcription factors in the development of ovarian, breast, and lung cancer.
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Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences
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Phone: (615) 322-0907 | basicsciences@vanderbilt.edu
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