Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Susan R. Wente has appointed an 18-member committee of faculty and students to conduct the national search for the Barlow Family Director of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute chaired by Randolph Blake, Centennial Professor of Psychology and professor of ophthalmology and visual science and Danny Winder, director for the Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, professor of psychiatry and associate director of the Vanderbilt Medical Scientist Training Program.
“The committee members come from all corners of campus, which reflects the trans-institutional collaboration that is at the core of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute as well as Vanderbilt’s Academic Strategic Plan,” Wente said. “I want to thank Randolph and Danny for their leadership and I also want to thank the committee for undertaking this responsibility.”
“The VBI plays an instrumental role in our trans-institutional pursuit of neuroscience-directed training, research and clinical service, and is internationally known for the advancement of knowledge in this field. I want to express my appreciation to the members of the search committee for the important work ahead as they seek to identify a new director that will help shape the institute’s future,” said Dr. Jeff Balser, president and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
The newly endowed director’s position was made possible through a generous commitment from David S. Barlow, a leader in the global pharmaceutical industry who serves on Vanderbilt’s Technology Transfer Advisory Committee.
Ronald B. Emeson, associate director of VBI, begins a term as interim director July 1. He is the Joel G. Hardman Professor of Pharmacology, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics and professor of psychiatry. Emeson is taking over the role of VBI Director Mark Wallace, who was named dean of the Graduate School Jan. 7. Wallace holds a Louise B. McGavock Chair at the School of Medicine.
The committee members are:
Co-chairs
- Randolph Blake, Centennial Professor of Psychology, professor of ophthalmology and visual science
- Danny Winder, director for the Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, professor of psychiatry and associate director of the Vanderbilt Medical Scientist Training Program
Members
- Lauren Bryant, graduate student, neuroscience graduate program
- Nancy Cox, director of the Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, the Mary Phillips Edmonds Gray Professor of Stem Biology and Tissue Regeneration and professor of genetic medicine
- Aurelio Galli, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, professor of psychiatry
- John Gore, director of the Vanderbilt Institute of Imaging Science, the Hertha Ramsey Cress Professor of Medicine, University Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, professor of biomedical engineering, professor of physics and astronomy, and professor of molecular physiology and biophysics
- Suzana Herculano-Houzel, associate professor of psychology and biological sciences
- Duco Jansen, interim chair of biomedical engineering, associate dean for graduate studies in the School of Engineering, professor of biomedical engineering and professor of neurological surgery
- Beth Ann Malow, director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center, the Burry Professor of Cognitive Childhood Development, professor of neurology, professor of pediatrics
- Doug McMahon, Stevenson Chair in Biological Sciences, professor of biological sciences and professor of pharmacology
- Amy Needham, department chair and professor of psychology and human development
- Sachin Patel, director of the Division of Addiction Psychiatry, associate professor of psychiatry and associate professor of molecular physiology and biophysics
- Padma Raghavan, vice provost for research, professor of computer engineering and professor of computer science
- Deepa Rajan, undergraduate student, neuroscience and music
- William H. Robinson, associate dean of the School of Engineering and associate professor of electrical engineering, and associate professor of computer engineering
- Jeff Schall, director of the Center for Integrative and Cognitive Neuroscience, E. Bronson Ingram Professor of Neuroscience, professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences
- J. David Sweatt, chair of pharmacology, professor of pharmacology
- David Zald, director of the undergraduate interdisciplinary program in neuroscience, professor of psychology and professor of psychiatry
More information about the position
Suggestions, comments or nominations may be submitted to: VBIsearch@vanderbilt.edu
