“You need experience to gain wisdom.” —Albert Einstein
Vanderbilt added 61 new professors and researchers to our more than 1,800 faculty in 10 schools and colleges for the 2024–25 academic year. What do some of these new faculty wish they’d known when they were younger? Here they answer the question, “What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?”
Amal al-Wahish, senior lecturer in physics and astronomy
College of Arts and Science
Academic focus: condensed matter and neutron scattering
al-Wahish is a physicist studying condensed matter experimental and neutron scattering. Her latest research focused on neutron scattering studies of phosphate proton conductors.
ADVICE TO MY YOUNGER SELF
“My advice to my younger self is to take my time and listen more.” -Amal al-Wahish
Thomas G. Szabo, lecturer of special education, director, applied behavior analysis online graduate program
Peabody College of Education and Human Development
Academic focus: acceptance and commitment therapy
Szabo’s work focuses on teaching ways to ignite psychological flexibility through acceptance and commitment training (ACTr) for autistic people, their parents and caregivers, siblings, and staff members. Szabo was a middle school teacher before going on to become a peer-reviewed acceptance and commitment therapy trainer, board certified behavior analyst, and a behavior analysis professor. He currently directs the Vanderbilt University online graduate certificate program in ABA.
ADVICE TO MY YOUNGER SELF
“I say this to myself today as much as I say this to my younger me when I need to: Find a place in your home or if possible, in a wild place outdoors, where you can gain perspective, see things newly, and embrace your now with all its ups and downs. From there, create your tomorrow, one breath at a time.” – Tom Szabo
Katie Coate, assistant professor of molecular physiology and biophysics
School of Medicine Basic Sciences
Academic focus: human pancreatic islet endocrine cells
Research in the Coate Laboratory seeks to identify mechanisms controlling the activity and identity of human pancreatic islet cells in health and disease.
ADVICE TO MY YOUNGER SELF
“The path to success will be paved with detours, challenges, and apparent setbacks. While it is healthy to acknowledge the emotions you may feel during such times, it is equally as beneficial to view setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow – both personally and professionally. Such a response will foster the development of a growth mindset that will enable you to embrace the ‘detours’ of life with joy and steadfast hope.” – Katie Coate
Jesús Ruiz, assistant professor of the practice in Caribbean studies
College of Arts and Science
Academic focus: Caribbean history and the 1791 Haitian revolution
Ruiz is a historian of Latin America and the Caribbean. His work focuses on slavery, freedom and Black political thought in the Atlantic World. He teaches courses on Afro-Latin America, Migration in the Americas and Caribbean Studies. He is particularly interested in the history of Haiti and its monumental revolution of 1791-1804.
ADVICE TO MY YOUNGER SELF
“Take the time to learn about money management to better your financial literacy.” –Jesús Ruiz
Madeline Brandt, assistant professor of mathematics
College of Arts and Science
Academic focus: combinatorial algebraic geometry
Brandt studies combinatorial algebraic geometry. Algebraic geometry investigates complicated shapes. Many aspects of this geometry can be described by discrete data and examined computationally. Brandt develops computational tools to study the geometry of these shapes.
ADVICE TO MY YOUNGER SELF
“The most important ingredient to success in your endeavors is to have a growth mindset,” Brandt said. “Your abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort, learning, and perseverance. Instead of seeing challenges as obstacles, view them as opportunities to grow and improve. When you encounter difficulties, remember that struggle is a part of the learning process, and recognize that each step forward is a testament to your hard work and resilience.” – Madeline Brandt
Max Dosser, senior lecturer in communication studies (Submitted photo)
Max Dosser, senior lecturer in communication studies
College of Arts and Science
Academic focus: speculative fiction and fan studies
Dosser’s research looks into the intersection of speculative fiction and fan studies. Speculative fiction is any narrative from science fiction to fantasy that is not true-to-life. Dosser examines the relationship between attachments fans have to speculative fictional characters and the mentality behind the violence and exclusion often prevalent in these fan movements.
ADVICE TO MY YOUNGER SELF
“It’s okay to say no to things. Don’t stretch yourself too thin.” – Max Dosser
Haein Kang, assistant professor of art
College of Arts and Science
Academic focus: new media art
Kang focuses her artistic expertise on innovating through creative technology. She uses emerging technology as a poetic tool to influence her art. Her doctoral research was on the artistic application of brain-computer interfaces.
ADVICE TO MY YOUNGER SELF
“Be kind to yourself!”— Haein Kang
- See a full list of Vanderbilt’s newest faculty members.
- Read about transformative research conducted by some of our newest faculty.
- Read why some of the 2024 faculty chose Vanderbilt.
- Learn about faculty who started in the 2023-24 school year.
- Follow the latest research news from Vanderbilt.
