INVESTITURE OF CHANCELLOR DANIEL DIERMEIER
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Daniel Diermeier installed as Vanderbilt University's ninth chancellor
In keynote remarks delivered at an investiture officially marking his tenure as Vanderbilt’s ninth chancellor, Daniel Diermeier urged the university community to seize this aspirational moment and join him in building “The Great University” for today’s world. The Board of Trust hosted the formal event, one of the oldest traditions in academia, on April 9 at Langford Auditorium. Though Diermeier began leading Vanderbilt on July 1, 2020, the inaugural events were postponed to help protect the health and safety of the community during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the investiture ceremony. MORE
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INVESTITURE PANEL DISCUSSIONSPanelists discuss ways to build ‘engine of innovation’ in Middle Tennessee
Vanderbilt and Nashville are poised to lead the region in building a global hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, according to panelists speaking at the “Tennessee: Engine of Innovation” symposium on April 8. Held at the Tennessee State Museum, the discussion was among the events organized in conjunction with the investiture of Daniel Diermeier as the university’s ninth chancellor. Diermeier said despite examples of productive university partnerships in places like Silicon Valley and Boston, Vanderbilt and Nashville shouldn’t look to simply replicate other models. MORE
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Now More than Ever: Higher Education’s Essential Role in an Age of Disruption
This panel explored universities’ responsibilities, impact and potential to catalyze progress in our global society. Moderated by Emily House, MPP’09, executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, and featuring introductions from Peabody College Dean Camilla Benbow, the panel brought together Vanderbilt University faculty and other distinguished experts across higher education and public policy. MORE
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The Commodore Way: Perspectives on Success in Vanderbilt Athletics
Vanderbilt Athletics special projects director and New York Times bestselling author Andrew Maraniss led a discussion with former Commodore student-athletes, each with a unique story about their experience during a pivotal moment in the university’s history. The panel was introduced by Candice Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. MORE
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FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH
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TOMORROW: Office of Federal Relations to host a virtual briefing on VU's Institute for Space and Defense Electronics
The Office of Federal Relations invites you to a virtual briefing on Vanderbilt University's Institute for Space and Defense Electronics (ISDE) tomorrow (Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 2 p.m. ET). The 30-minute briefing will feature Ronald Schrimpf, director of ISDE, and Michael Alles, associate director of ISDE, and will be moderated by Heather Bloemhard, associate director of federal relations. ISDE is one of the leading basic research centers in radiation effects. In recognition of this work, ISDE was recently selected as the Air Force Center of Excellence in radiation effects. Their work on how microelectronics respond in radiation environments supports the Dept. of Defense’s ability to maintain computer processing systems on satellites and in close proximity to strategic weapons. ISDE also educates highly trained individuals who go on to support our nation’s efforts in radiation hardening and microelectronics research and development. This virtual briefing will provide a non-technical overview of ISDE’s important work in these areas. To register for this virtual briefing, click here.
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National Institutes of Health—International collaboration reveals how the human brain evolved to harness abstract thought
The human brain is organized in functional networks—connected brain regions that communicate with each other through dedicated pathways. The “default mode” network is the part of our connected brain that is responsible for abstract and self-directed thought. When we process external sensory information, the default mode network turns off, and when there is less going on outside our bodies it turns on. In an international collaboration across seven laboratories, in five institutions, across three countries and led by Christos Constantinidis, professor of biomedical engineering, neuroscience and ophthalmology . . . compared data from humans and non-hominoid primates (macaques, marmosets and mouse lemurs) [and found that] in all species other than humans, the brain areas that comprise the default mode network involve two systems not strongly connected with each other. Understanding how unusual patterns of brain connectivity emerge could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of [neurodevelopment disorders and mental illnesses] . . . . This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health. MORE
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McBride Murry to speak at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services panel on impact of pandemic-era policies
Velma McBride Murry, University Professor of Human and Organizational Development and University Professor of Health Policy, will be an expert panelist discussing the impact of pandemic-era policies on children and families at a high-level government conference. The group will discuss priority research questions and the data, measures and methods that can be used to understand the effects of the cash transfers of the American Rescue Plan Act and other COVID-19–related federal policy responses on the economic conditions and well-being of the children and families served by [Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] programs. In addition to this role, McBride Murry has been appointed a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education Consensus Study Committee to review evidence addressing the long-term effects of COVID-19 on families and children. MORE
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Nursing students try on VR technology that could benefit patients and nurse well-being
Although physically in a classroom at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, a group of students were far, far away, virtually experiencing campfires, galaxies, snowfall and other relaxing settings. The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students were exploring how virtual reality can be used in health care and education, taking part in an innovative VUSN pilot program called SparkleVille, which uses technology to enhance kinesthetic learning. The program also offers learning opportunities for nursing informatic students as part of their practicum. The idea and VR class stemmed from a startup called Very Real Help, Inc. founded by Vanderbilt Psychological Sciences PhD candidate Noah Robinson, who studies clinical psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy in the College of Arts and Science. [The group] could see it being used for therapy, chronic pain management, working through fears and to offer unique experiences to people in nursing homes or hospice care. MORE
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Peabody researchers explore research-practice partnerships to address inequities in education
The Nashville Partnership for Educational Equity Research (PEER) and the Peabody Research Office convened a panel earlier this month featuring distinguished Peabody faculty to discuss what matters in partnership research, how research-practice partnerships challenge common assumptions and practices and how to support this work. Research-practice partnerships, known as RPPs, are long-term collaborations between research organizations, such as universities or think tanks, and organizations that want to apply the findings from research to strengthen policies or improve practice. [T]hrough PEER, Vanderbilt researchers and Metro Nashville Public Schools practitioners are studying how to strengthen opportunities and outcomes for high school students in coursework leading to college credit. [Some key takeaways from the panel were that RPP research differs from traditional research; RPPs intentionally facilitate research use; and better collaboration across partnerships on campus can help support partnership work generally.] MORE
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Vanderbilt Unity Project launches “Unity Index” showing quarterly snapshot on Americans’ faith and trust in democracy
A new index designed by researchers at Vanderbilt University shows a steady erosion of trust in American political institutions over the past 40 years, with it hitting its lowest point in 2017 after racial unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia. Launched by the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, the Vanderbilt Unity Index seeks to quantify the abstract term “unity” by measuring on a quarterly basis the fluctuations in Americans’ general faith and trust in their political institutions on a scale of 0-100. The VUI will be updated quarterly. MORE
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Lawson helps launch Vanderbilt institute rooted in nonviolent social change
The Rev. James Lawson returned to Vanderbilt University for the April 7 launch of an institute that carries forward his commitment to achieving justice and equality through nonviolent movements and strategies. The James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements, a trans-institutional collaboration between the Divinity School and the College of Arts and Science, will advance evidence-based research and nonviolent change while preparing the next generation of leaders, humanitarians and community organizers. Lawson, one of Vanderbilt’s most revered alumni, played an influential role in the peaceful protests of segregation during the 1960s by training Nashville college students in the principles of nonviolent change. MORE
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Career networking event focused on supporting the military community
Vanderbilt hosted a group of military veterans and their spouses for a career networking event that took place on campus April 4. Among the employers at the event—part of #LinkedInMusicCity, a series designed to support veterans and their families—were the U.S. Secret Service, Chartwell Hospitality, AutoZone, Transition to Trades and Verizon. HR personnel from Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center also met with candidates. Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, speaking at the event, said it offered regional employers a way to broaden their impact by tapping into the “immense talent among our veterans, service members and military families.” MORE
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