The Vanderbilt Story

Interfacial scientist thrives on moment of discovery Erin Rericha (Lauren Owens/Vanderbilt) Erin Rericha considers herself an interfacial scientist. The new assistant professor of physics explained that she has “a bit of a split personality.” “I am trained as a condensed matter physicist,” she said, “and I spent… Read More

Law professor sees progress where environmental and economic good meets J.B. Ruhl (courtesy of Vanderbilt University Law School) Environmental law and property law expert J.B. Ruhl said he considers himself part of the “radical middle” when it comes to helping craft solutions to controversial environmental issues. “Sometimes you need… Read More

Bioengineer builds robotics to make medical procedures easier Pietro Valdastri (John Russell/Vanderbilt) The prospect of a colonoscopy is about as unwelcome as a root canal, so it’s no surprise that it’s difficult to convince people to get regular screenings for colon cancer. But what if you could replace this… Read More

Political scientist looks at elections and why they matter Larry Bartels (John Russell/Vanderbilt) Larry Bartels, arguably the most influential political scientist of his generation, is fascinated with democracy – how it really works, who has the most influence and why the presidential primary election process has propelled one-time dark… Read More

Vanderbilt’s EAP helps employees find balance in their work and lives Ellen Clark (Susan Urmy/Vanderbilt) Ellen Clark’s first day on the job at Vanderbilt is stamped on her memory. It’s likely stamped on your memory, too. Clark, a licensed clinical social worker, had an official start date of… Read More

Lyne Bingham was photographed at J-J’s Market and Café, Nashville, Tenn. (John Russell/Vanderbilt)     Lyne Bingham’s gestures say a lot, whether she’s in the midst of a lively conversation or conducting a symphony orchestra. Such expressiveness and easy sociability in a person with Asperger’s syndrome might come as… Read More

See why Nashville, Tennessee is considered one of the most vibrant, exciting and inviting cities in which to work, live and learn. Whether you’re a prospective Vanderbilt student or Vanderbilt employee, we’ll show you why Nashville is an incredible place to call home. [vucastblurb]… Read More

See what makes Vanderbilt one of the most highly respected and most engaging universities and research institutions in the world. We give you a look at Vanderbilt by the numbers. [vucastblurb]… Read More

Aaron Moscow, Senior, Theater major, Pre-Medicine Claim to fame: Original Cast director On majoring in Theater and Pre-Med: It’s tough, because in the theater department you have to have this “work with each other, you want everyone to succeed” mindset, and then you step into Organic Chemistry lab and you… Read More

Within the conducting profession, the word “maestro” is sometimes used to describe the person wielding the baton and coaxing joyous sounds from voice, instrument or both. Blair School of Music’s community of maestros—gaining influence both at home and abroad—is venturing into the world of orchestral conducting with an energy and… Read More

Meet Vanderbilt admissions blogger Seth Johnson and see how he and a diverse group of undergrads are making a cappella cool!… Read More

There is a list, famous among astronomers, of 110 faint objects in the night sky, first cataloged by French astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th century. A “Messier marathon” is when astronomers begin at dusk and work until dawn, hoping to locate every single one, searching amid the field of… Read More

(John Russell/Vanderbilt University) Thumbing through a handful of her daughter’s recently taken senior photos, Kim Drake was a little tearful. “I’m having a mother moment,” she explained before tucking them away to offer some friendly guidance to a patient at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center’s Patient and Family Resource… Read More

Music and cheerleaders and new ‘Dores – oh my! Check out Founders Walk – a tradition that welcomes new students and gets them in step with the Vanderbilt experience. [vucastblurb]… Read More

It’s become one of the great new traditions of Vanderbilt University. In this VUCast extra, watch as Vandy upperclassmen come together to welcome the class of 2015 to the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons… one box at a time! [vucastblurb]… Read More

Looking back, I wonder whether we should have been in class that morning. It was just before lunch, and I had already missed a few that semester—classes, never lunch—as, unfortunately, my first midterm grades attested. From our residence in Dyer Hall, the path to food at Sarratt took me and… Read More

A shark attack leads to a collaboration that could transform the lives of amputees This is the last snapshot taken of Craig Hutto before a shark attack claimed his leg on June 27, 2005. Photo provided by Craig Hutto It was an overcast June morning at Cap San Blas, Fla.,… Read More

Frank Wcislo examines how we consider Russia and its leaders two decades after the Cold War           Frank Wcislo, associate professor of history (John Russell/Vanderbilt)         As Soviet Russia disintegrated in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Frank Wcislo and other… Read More

The Vanderbilt Child and Family Center's Zana Bojic (Daniel Dubois/Vanderbilt) Seventeen years ago, Snjezana Bojic left her home in war-torn Bosnia as a refugee looking to escape the brutality and deprivation of that devastating conflict. She was 22 years old, and it was the second year of a war characterized… Read More

See why some of country music’s biggest stars are lending their talents to a special Vanderbilt camp. Plus, how a Vandy professor is personally tied to the Atlantis space mission, and fixing what U2 left behind! Read more about music’s healing power in Vanderbilt Medicine. [vucastblurb]… Read More