Reagan Villet
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Research investigation shows ‘bossware’ is spying on workers and sharing their data
A new investigation finds that workplace monitoring platforms are systematically sharing personal data about workers and online activity with hundreds of outside data brokers and big tech companies in ways that are not clearly disclosed and that, in some cases, may contradict the platforms’ own privacy policies. Read MoreMay 28, 2026
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Singing through centuries: Vanderbilt Choral Scholars tour northern England
The Vanderbilt Choral Scholars have spent the last week immersed in the rich musical traditions of Northern England, combining performances, collaborations and liturgical music-making in a tour that is already proving transformative for the Blair School of Music students. Read MoreMay 27, 2026
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Alumni Association celebrates new, returning board members
The Vanderbilt Alumni Association will welcome new and returning alumni leaders to its board for three-year terms that start July 1, 2026. The Alumni Association’s mission is to engage Vanderbilt alumni in the life of the university, encourage lifelong connections and support the university’s mission and priorities. Read MoreMay 27, 2026
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Vanderbilt researchers develop comprehensive guide for how the brain’s wiring changes with age
In a groundbreaking study published recently in the journal Nature, researchers at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Health have created the first growth charts for white matter in the brain over a human lifetime. The work brings together nearly two decades of Vanderbilt research collaborations, the university’s extensive MRI data collections, and an advanced AI-enabled computing platform. Read MoreMay 27, 2026
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Volunteers needed: Save the Date for Family Weekend and Reunion Weekend 2026
Vanderbilt University will welcome thousands of family members and alumni to campus for Family Weekend, September 18–20, and Reunion, October 15–18, and staff volunteers are needed as Vanderbilt Ambassadors to make the weekend a success. Read MoreMay 27, 2026
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First Vanderbilt Cloud Innovation Lab student cohort develops AI breakthrough for media archives
Vanderbilt University computer science students have developed an accurate, reliable and cost-effective solution for segmenting and labeling television news broadcasts, making them more discoverable and accessible to researchers. This new tool, the first created through the Vanderbilt Cloud Innovation Lab for Libraries and Applied Digital Preservation, powered by AWS, uses artificial intelligence to improve upon manual processes and may reduce costs up to 80 percent. Read MoreMay 27, 2026
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Center for Structural Biology and Center for AI in Protein Dynamics symposium discusses the joining of structural biology and AI
The Vanderbilt University Center for Structural Biology and Center for AI in Protein Dynamics recently hosted a symposium called “Bridging Atoms and Algorithms: A Symposium on AI and Structural Biology.” The March event brought together Vanderbilt faculty, trainees, and invited speakers to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and structural biology, share research, and foster new scientific collaborations. Read MoreMay 27, 2026
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From Nashville to South Florida: Turning opportunity into impact
As an undergraduate, Marcia Fordyce-Steinfurth, BA’94, arrived in Nashville from Washington, D.C., eager to continue her education at another top-tier institution after attending Stone Ridge. At Vanderbilt, she connected with classmates from her hometown as well as peers from a wide range of backgrounds, all while immersing herself in a small-town Southern culture that was entirely new to her. Now, with a daughter at Vanderbilt, Marcia and her husband, P.R. Steinfurth, have witnessed firsthand how the university continues to help students access professional opportunities. Inspired in part by the lasting impact of Marcia’s undergraduate education, the Steinfurths knew they wanted to give back. Read MoreMay 27, 2026
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Shaping the future of media literacy: Inside Vanderbilt’s McGee Applied Research Center for Narrative Studies
In an age defined by information overload, viral narratives, and deepening political divides, Vanderbilt University’s McGee Applied Research Center for Narrative Studies is positioning itself at the forefront of media literacy education. Read MoreMay 27, 2026
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How Emily Baker Tobin, BA’87, MBA’92, helped bring Vanderbilt to New York City
From her home office across West 21st Street in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, Double ‘Dore Emily Baker Tobin can look out at the Gothic spires and collegiate quadrangle of the General Theological Seminary (GTS)—a landmark that has framed her daily life for years. As a lifelong Episcopalian, she had long admired the buildings, but could never have imagined that one day she would bring her alma mater to the historic campus. Read MoreMay 20, 2026
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Music without borders: David Samuel and students journey to Medellín
This month, Blair School of Music viola professor David Samuel will lead three students to Medellín, Colombia, for ten days of performance, teaching, and cultural exchange. It’s an experience designed to extend far beyond the concert stage. Read MoreMay 20, 2026
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Bridging Campus and Community symposium honors three collaborative projects
On an April morning, more than 100 Vanderbilt students, faculty, staff and community partners gathered around poster displays that told stories of collaboration, creativity and shared purpose. The inaugural “Bridging Campus and Community: Community Engagement Symposium,” held April 23, invited attendees to explore 32 presentations showcasing how Vanderbilt and community organizations are working together to address real-world challenges. The poster-style event celebrated partnerships spanning service-learning, research and creative work. Read MoreMay 20, 2026
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Integrative Chaplaincy and the work of grief
Memorial Day is a National Day of Remembrance, but for students like Chaplain (Captain) William Dykes, honoring the fallen is daily work. Read MoreMay 20, 2026
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Brandt Eichman first Vanderbilt faculty member awarded prestigious Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowship
William R. Kenan, Jr. Chair and Professor of Biological Sciences Brandt Eichman is the first Vanderbilt faculty member to be awarded the prestigious Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowship. Jointly funded by the Royal Society and the Wolfson Foundation, the fellowship invites outstanding international researchers to a U.K. university or research institution to foster collaborative connections and enrich global scientific research. Read MoreMay 20, 2026
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Vanderbilt Poll: Tennesseans continue to express anxiety about the economy
In a time marked by partisan divides and international conflicts, a new Vanderbilt University poll finds personal economic stress looms largest for Tennesseans. Anxiety over the cost of groceries, housing and monthly bills spans political parties and income levels. Deepening malaise about the cost of living is reflected by more than half of Tennesseans saying the country is headed in the wrong direction. Read MoreMay 20, 2026
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Vanderbilt researchers awarded grants to address key challenges in future space missions
Two research groups connected with the Vanderbilt School of Engineering have been awarded multimillion-dollar grants from the U.S. Department of Energy and NASA to work on solving some of the toughest problems in space exploration: protecting electronics from radiation and stabilizing energy generation and delivery systems. These issues are mission-critical as NASA plans missions to the moon and Mars. Read MoreMay 15, 2026
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New study explores effect of violent crime on individuals’ mental health
Conventional wisdom has long held that people who live in violent neighborhoods suffer consequences whether they’re direct victims of crime or not. A new study from Assistant Professor Panka Bencsik has begun to scientifically test that hypothesis—which is an important part of quantifying violent crime’s overall costs and negative impacts. “This paper shows how [people] still suffer from crimes occurring close to home,” Bencsik said, information that could be useful to policymakers who want to promote mental health. Read MoreMay 15, 2026
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From Nashville to the world stage: Dialogue Vanderbilt launches global SPHERE Fellowship
Vanderbilt University is expanding its commitment to academic, professional and personal growth for their students. Dialogue Vanderbilt, the university’s catalyst for better conversations, has announced the launch of the SPHERE Fellowship, a premier international program that embeds students in centers of global significance to practice the art of constructive, high-stakes dialogue. Read MoreMay 14, 2026
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Cody Crowell, BS’07, receives Pathfinder Award for championing Vanderbilt’s West Palm Beach campus
During a special ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida on March 16, Cody Crowell, BS’07, was honored with Vanderbilt’s Pathfinder Award in recognition of his exceptional vision and dedication in helping the university identify and pursue transformative opportunities, particularly his leadership in championing our expanded presence in West Palm Beach. Read MoreMay 14, 2026
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Vanderbilt graduate students advocate for science policy in Washington, D.C.
Scientific expertise is increasingly part of conversations shaping federal policy, but most researchers are never trained to engage in that process. This spring, Vanderbilt University graduate students gained firsthand experience navigating the intersection of science and policymaking in Washington, D.C. Read MoreMay 14, 2026