Faculty
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Research Investment: Vanderbilt finds ways to set up new faculty for success
Vanderbilt supports new faculty every step of the way—by connecting them with senior faculty who serve as mentors, observe their classes and provide valuable feedback, and proofread their grant proposals to make them stronger. These professors who joined Vanderbilt in the past few years shed light on how the university has helped them succeed. Read MoreNov 12, 2025
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Galvanizing Impact: Vanderbilt’s Catalyst Grants fuel research
At Vanderbilt, research doesn’t just live in the lab. It moves into the world in the shape of new tools, treatments and technologies that improve lives, support communities and expand what’s possible. Read MoreNov 11, 2025
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All Hands On: Vanderbilt alumni translate their undergraduate research experiences into postgraduate success
As a research institution, the two “products” Vanderbilt puts into the world are alumni and the research produced. Whether it’s helping to cure cancer, inspire with art, or promote sustainability, Vanderbilt students learn to apply the combination of practical skills and confidence that can only be gained from experience to a broad range of fields—positioning them to be much more effective in translating their education to results outside the classroom. Read MoreNov 4, 2025
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First View Mentorship Program: A welcoming network for first-generation students
Vanderbilt’s First View Mentorship Program, a collaborative initiative led by the Office of Undergraduate Education, the Student Center for Belonging and Communities, the Career Center, and student organizations such as First-Generation and/or Low-Income Grads and FirstVU, which are dedicated to celebrating and empowering first-generation students. The program is designed to make each student’s journey one of connection, guidance and belonging. Read MoreSep 18, 2025
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Community takes courage: Vanderbilt launches hazing prevention campaign
Vanderbilt University has launched the Community Takes Courage campaign to reinforce its commitment to eradicate hazing and foster a culture of respect, courage, belonging and accountability. The initiative follows the Stop Campus Hazing Act, a federal law requiring comprehensive hazing prevention measures in higher education. Read MoreSep 18, 2025
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Save the Date: Open Enrollment is Oct. 16–31, 2025
Open Enrollment is your annual chance to select the benefits you and your family need to be prepared for anything that comes your way. All benefits-eligible employees must make an active selection during Open Enrollment for 2026 benefits coverage. This year, Open Enrollment begins at 8 a.m. CT on Thursday, Oct. 16, and ends at 11:59 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 31. Read MoreSep 4, 2025
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An American in Vienna: Blair professor Derek Hartman claims first prize at International Beethoven Piano Competition
Inspired by Beethoven when he first began to play piano at age five, Derek Hartman‘s music career took a huge step forward last week as he was awarded first prize at the prestigious 17th International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna, Austria. Read MoreJun 4, 2025
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Vanderbilt awards endowed chairs to 33 faculty members
Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver honored scholars from across Vanderbilt at an endowed chair investiture ceremony on April 30. These individuals are prominent faculty members who have distinguished themselves as pioneers and leaders in their fields. Read MoreMay 5, 2025
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Nominate faculty for fall 2025 awards recognizing research, service
All faculty are invited to nominate their peers for Vanderbilt’s top faculty awards, which recognize outstanding achievements in research and service to the university and demonstrate Vanderbilt’s appreciation for and commitment to excellence. Read MoreApr 30, 2025
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Provost launches Discovery Bridge Funding Program
Vanderbilt University is launching the Provost Discovery Bridge Funding Program to provide short-term financial support ranging from three to six months to faculty researchers affected by stop work or termination orders for research they were doing with federal support. Read MoreApr 10, 2025
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Research Sparks
Read the stories of what motivates members of Vanderbilt's faculty to pursue excellence as researchers, professors, experts and innovators. Read MoreApr 7, 2025
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Stephanie Wankowicz: Exploring protein form and function
Understanding how proteins get from point A to point B is top of mind for Stephanie Wankowicz, assistant professor of molecular physiology and biophysics and principal investigator at the Wankowicz lab. She conducts research on how entropy, a measure of the tendency toward disorder or randomness within a system, shifts when a protein binds to a drug or another protein. Now, her work is being shared through the diffUSE project, a new multi-institutional collaboration focused on reshaping the future of structural biology by moving beyond traditional “snapshot” views of proteins to reveal their full dynamic motions. Read MoreApr 7, 2025
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Faculty Senate meeting Thursday, March 6
All faculty are invited to attend the March 6 Faculty Senate meeting and hear from Vice Provost Padma Raghavan, Vice Chancellor J. Nathan Green and Associate Provost Alan Wiseman regarding research funding and university relations. Senators will vote on two resolutions as well. The meeting begins at 4:10 on the second floor of the Faculty Commons Building at 1101 19th Ave. S. Read MoreFeb 28, 2025
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Faculty invited to participate in COACHE job satisfaction survey
Over the next two months, full-time faculty employed by Vanderbilt University are invited to participate in the Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey administered by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education. The data from this survey help Vanderbilt benchmark with peers, align institutional priorities and support our faculty. Read MoreFeb 6, 2025
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Faculty Senate meeting today, Jan. 9
The first Faculty Senate meeting of 2025 is today, Thursday, Jan. 9, from 4:10 to 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be in Faculty Commons Building’s second-floor event space. Read MoreJan 9, 2025
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Faculty invited to share input, ask questions related to innovation space on campus
Vice Provost for Research and Innovation and Chief Research Officer Padma Raghavan and Director of Space Planning Megan Sargent invite faculty to join them for coffee and conversation about considerations for future innovation spaces on and near campus. The first conversation will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Alumni Hall Memorial Room (202). Read MoreNov 26, 2024
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Joseph John Cunningham, emeritus professor of human and organizational development and special education, has died
Joseph Cunningham, 82, an accomplished administrator and professor at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2024, at his home in Lake City, Pennsylvania. Read MoreAug 1, 2024
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Nominate faculty for Fall 2024 awards recognizing research, service
Nominations are now open for Vanderbilt’s top faculty awards, which recognize outstanding achievements in research and service to the university and demonstrate Vanderbilt’s appreciation for and commitment to excellence. All faculty are eligible to submit nominations for the four awards that will be presented at the 2024 Fall Faculty Assembly on August 22. Read MoreMay 17, 2024
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Q & A: Understanding Quantum Potential
Jad Abumrad, Distinguished Research Professor of Communication of Science and Technology and creator of Vanderbilt’s Quantum Potential series, talks to Vanderbilt Magazine about this groundbreaking project, described as a collection of wild but precise portraits of the scholars, scientists and students at Vanderbilt who are finding new ways to understand the world—and change it. Read MoreApr 22, 2024
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28 faculty honored at endowed chair investiture
The distinguished faculty members and deans representing eight colleges and schools were presented with medallions that symbolize the attainment of their positions and will become part of their official academic regalia. Chair holders contribute their expertise to real-world challenges, including climate change, political inequality and access to justice, artificial intelligence and ICU trauma. Read MoreApr 11, 2024