Vanderbilt’s robust academic environment and interdisciplinary research collaborations make the university an exciting and inspirational place for our more than 1,800 faculty members—94 percent of whom hold the highest degree in their field. The university welcomed 61 new faculty to our 10 schools and colleges for the 2024–25 academic year.
Meet some of these new faculty and hear the unique reasons they sought out Vanderbilt.
Valentina Cigliola, assistant professor of pharmacology
School of Medicine Basic Sciences
Academic focus: regenerating injured spinal cords
Cigliola’s research is dedicated to finding methods to regenerate the injured spinal cord, with the ultimate goal of reversing paralysis. She does this by studying zebrafish, who have the ability to regenerate spinal cord movement through neurogenesis and the formation of a tissue bridge.
“I am utterly fascinated by the ability of certain tissues to spontaneously regenerate and restore function after an injury. What drives me is really trying to understand how and why this all happens,” Cigliola said. “Unlike humans and adult mammals, some organisms like zebrafish, salamanders and even mice at neonatal stages can do that. Makes me dream and hope that one day we’ll be able to do that too.”
WHY VANDERBILT?
“Vanderbilt is a top institution, and I immediately felt it would offer me the resources, opportunities and support I need to develop my research successfully. I have also greatly appreciated the Vanderbilt scientific community. I think interacting with the incredible scientists on site, exchanging ideas and establishing collaborations will widen my research and bring new avenues for spinal cord research.”
Sasha Crawford-Holland, assistant professor of cinema and media arts and of communication studies
College of Arts and Science
Academic focus: media technologies and social justice
Crawford-Holland’s research examines the relationship between media technologies like news broadcasts, surveillance footage and digital apps and how they impact and challenge power relations in social and environmental justice.
“I love studying media because it impacts every facet of our lives: how we work, how we unwind, how we relate to each other, how we understand the world and how we transform it. Almost nothing in our world is untouched by media, and media studies can help us dissect and reimagine those dynamics,” he said.
WHY VANDERBILT?
“I’m excited to join two departments that blend critical and practice-based work [cinema and media arts and communications studies]. Uniting both approaches under the same roof creates dynamic environments for collaboration and exchange.”
Mallory Molina, assistant professor of physics and astronomy
College of Arts and Science
Academic focus: black holes and star formation in massive and dwarf galaxies
Molina studies black holes and star formation in massive and dwarf galaxies, specifically how black holes and their host galaxies interact with one another. Molina’s research goal is to use this information to understand how black holes and their host galaxies grow over cosmic time. Molina’s research is supported by the National Science Foundation and NASA.
WHY VANDERBILT?
“I chose Vanderbilt for two reasons: First, the community and collaborative nature of the astronomy group that I am joining is unlike anywhere else, and I am excited to become a part of the team. Second, I have heard the students are excellent at Vanderbilt, and I look forward to working with them,” Molina said.
Anna Helmke, assistant professor of finance
Owen Graduate School of Management
Academic focus: exchange traded funds, mutual funds
Helmke’s research includes financial markets, financial intermediation and portfolio theory with a focus on exchange traded funds.
“Index funds, and particularly ETFs, represent one of the most important innovations in finance over the past decade. The proliferation of these funds has substantially reduced the cost of investing in a diversified portfolio of securities for households across America and the rest of the world,” Helmke said. “I am excited about studying the intricacies of index investing.”
WHY VANDERBILT?
“Vanderbilt is an excellent research institution featuring some of the smartest students, as well as young and dynamic finance faculty. The school’s focus on innovation also closely aligns with my own research interests and working approach.”
Blair School of Music (Submitted photo)
David Samuel, assistant professor of viola
Blair School of Music
Academic focus: viola and chamber music
Samuel has a long and established national and international performance background, having served in numerous ensembles, including as the associate principal viola of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He has also taught throughout his performance career.
“I love exploring music with others. Collaboration is really at the heart of music making and sharing, whether it is through studying, performing or teaching,” Samuel said.
Before coming to Nashville, Samuel was in San Francisco with the Alexander String Quartet.
WHY VANDERBILT?
“Vanderbilt is a world-class university with exceptional students, faculty and resources. Creativity and support are abundant. There is also a very special vibe among the students that one doesn’t find often.”
(Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt)
Husile Bai, assistant professor of the practice of earth and environmental sciences
College of Arts and Science
Academic focus: climate dynamics and variability
Bai studies atmospheric and climate dynamics and turbulence, regional and global climate modeling, and meteorological and climate systems. She is fluent in Mongolian, English and Mandarin Chinese, and she is committed to expanding climate science among young people around the world.
WHY VANDERBILT?
“The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences provides a collaborative and inclusive environment, and the department’s support for interdisciplinary research offers an ideal setting for advancing my work, which align perfectly with my professional values and aspirations,” she said.
- Read more about Vanderbilt’s newest faculty members
- Learn about faculty who started in the 2023-24 school year
- Follow the latest research news from Vanderbilt
