Keivan Stassun
New grant helps minority STEM scholars advance as postdocs
Apr. 8, 2020—With support from the Heising-Simons Foundation, Vanderbilt will help advance underrepresented minority astrophysics scholars to secure faculty appointments with elite postdoctoral fellowships.
Ph.D. bridge programs show success in fostering diversity and inclusion, according to new study
Dec. 6, 2019—A team of STEM researchers, including Vanderbilt astrophysicist Kelly Holley-Bockelmann, have published a new collaborative study on Ph.D. bridge programs as a mechanism to empower students, foster diversity and spur a more holistic approach to graduate education.
Vanderbilt astrophysicist and National Academies committee publish report on effective STEMM mentorship
Oct. 31, 2019—A National Academies committee, featuring Vanderbilt astrophysicist Keivan Stassun, published a report and resource guide on effective mentorship in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.
National Academies committee including Vanderbilt astrophysicist publishes review of latest NASA Science Plan
Oct. 18, 2019—An astrophysicist at Vanderbilt is part of the committee behind a review of NASA’s updated Science Plan, a five-year strategic roadmap for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
NSF funds Vanderbilt graduate trainee program to develop workplace innovations for those with autism
Sep. 11, 2019—A $3 million NSF grant will establish a new graduate program to train students focused on innovations connecting workforce needs to the talents of neurodiverse individuals.
Vanderbilt celebrates opening of Frist Center for Autism and Innovation
Jul. 29, 2019—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, a new center that brings engineers, business scholars and disabilities researchers together with experts in neuroscience and education to understand, maximize and promote neurodiverse talent, celebrated its grand opening on Thursday, July 25.
Stassun appointed to Astro2020 Steering Committee
May. 22, 2019—Vanderbilt University astrophysicist Keivan Stassun, Stevenson Professor of Physics and Astronomy, was named Tuesday to the National Academies’ Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics (Astro2020) Steering Committee.
The hunt is on for closest Earth-like planets
Mar. 26, 2019—The catalog identifies 1,823 stars for which TESS is sensitive enough to spot Earth-like planets just a bit larger than Earth that receive radiation from their star equivalent to what Earth receives from our sun.
The Innovation of Autism: The newly endowed Frist Center for Autism and Innovation seeks to unlock unique talents
Feb. 19, 2019—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation seeks to transform workplaces by developing new technologies based on the specific skills and talents of people with autism, effectively inspiring advances that can lead to meaningful employment and a fuller life.
Grandin, advocate on autism, to give conference keynote, Chancellor’s Lecture Nov. 29
Nov. 12, 2018—Temple Grandin, a world-renowned author, inventor and spokesperson about the autism spectrum, will participate in a daylong conference in Nashville on Nov. 29, capped off with a keynote and conversation with Vanderbilt University Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos as part of the Chancellor’s Lecture Series.
Vanderbilt University launches the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation
Nov. 8, 2018—A $10 million gift from alumna Jennifer R. Frist, BS’93, and husband William R. “Billy” Frist will endow a new center focused on supporting and developing the neurodiverse talents of individuals with autism at Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering.
White House honors Vanderbilt faculty for STEM mentorship
Jul. 5, 2018—The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy honored two Vanderbilt researchers for STEM mentorship.