Five Vanderbilt researchers have been awarded Seeding Success internal grants to pursue bold new directions in their work, reflecting the university’s commitment to catalyzing high-impact research and fostering innovation across the university.
Launched in 2022, the Seeding Success Grant program supports projects that have strong potential for significant external funding. The awards are managed by Research Development and Support in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation.
“Seeding Success exemplifies our commitment to helping researchers take the first step toward major breakthroughs,” said Liz Zechmeister, senior associate provost for research and development and interim chief research officer. “We’re proud to support early-stage projects that show strong potential for impact and external funding, and we are grateful to the review committee for their time, insight and service.”
The newest Seeding Success recipients are:
- Rachel Donnelly, assistant professor of sociology, College of Arts and Science: “Occupation and Labor Force Participation Across the Life Course: Implications for Cognitive Functioning in Later Life”
- Tina Iverson, Louise B. McGavock chair, professor of pharmacology and biochemistry and associate dean for faculty of basic science, School of Medicine: “Mechanisms and Reversal of the Long COVID-Associated Warburg Effect”
- Sean Polyn, associate professor of psychology and psychiatry and behavioral sciences, College of Arts and Science: “A Neurocomputational Framework for Naturalistic Mental Models”
- Marjan Rafat, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and of biomedical engineering and radiation oncology, School of Engineering: “Developing Novel Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels to Study the Impact of Obesity on Breast Cancer Recurrence”
- Geoffrey Woodman, E. Bronson Ingram chair and professor of psychology and associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, College of Arts and Science: “Improving Human Memory Through Direct-Current Stimulation of the Brain”
The Seeding Success program has helped propel recipients toward securing external funding for their research, including competitive awards from federal agencies and foundations.
Each cycle of the program is highly competitive, and faculty across all disciplines are invited to apply. The next Seeding Success application cycle will be in fall 2025. All applicants receive reviewer feedback, regardless of whether their project is funded.
For more information, including proposal guidelines, visit the Seeding Success Grant page.
