Jacob Steenwyk

Beckman Scholar Charu Balamurugan, an undergraduate researcher in the Rokas lab at Vanderbilt University, has shed light on the intricate evolutionary patterns governing secondary metabolite biosynthesis in fungi. Balamurugan delved deep into the genomes of Penicillium species, uncovering fascinating insights into the conservation and evolution of biosynthetic gene clusters and associated resistance genes. Read More

Join Kendra Oliver, assistant professor of pharmacology and director and founder of ArtLab, for the next Lab-to-Table Conversation on Wednesday, July 27. The panelists will explore how a group of self-identified scientist-artists are embracing this particular duality.  Read More

The Vanderbilt Graduate School has recognized outstanding research among Ph.D. candidates across the university in 2021–22 through the nomination and awarding of endowed scholarship funding. Read More

Graduate student measures the coevolution of genes in genomes; method may fundamentally change how we identify genes with similar functions. Read More

Jacob Steenwyk, a sixth-year doctoral student studying biology in The Rokas Lab, is a recipient of the 2022 Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award presented by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He is the second Vanderbilt student ever to receive this honor. Read More