Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences

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Join us Oct. 21 for the next Apex Lecture featuring M. Madan Babu, chief data scientist at St. Jude's Research Hospital, who will describe how data science, structural biology, pharmacology, developmental biology, and genetics can be combined to understand GPCR function across scales.

APEX Lecture Series poster announcing M. Madan Babu (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital) presenting “Data Science Across Scales: Understanding GPCR Signaling from Atoms to Populations” Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, 1:30 p.m., 1220 Medical Research Building III.
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Basic science research is fundamental to driving new discoveries and advancing human health. It requires risk, bravery, and creativity. We are SO proud of Sezen and we cannot wait to see what amazing discoveries she makes.

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SOMBS professor Sezen Meydan has received the NIH Director's New Innovator Award! The NIH grants it to early-career investigators who propose bold, highly innovative projects with potential for major impact on areas relevant to its mission. Read more: buff.ly/a7QO05v

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Emma Koory, a graduate student in Dylan Burnette's lab, recently received an honorable mention at the 2026 Nikon Small World in Motion Competition. Koory took this video of a heart cell building sarcomeres, which are responsible for heart muscle contractions.

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When it comes to our cells, sometimes it's good to rock the boat... or the raft! Charles Sanders' lab recently discovered two new molecules, VU0615562 and VU0619195, that destabilize lipid rafts, increase membrane fluidity, and modulate ion channel activity.

An image detailing the proposed mechanism of the compounds VU0615562 and VU0619195. On top, there is a cartoon image of a lipid bilayer containing lipid raft proteins. Below, there is an arrow pointing downward with a plus sign and a cartoon rendition of the two molecules. Below that, it shows the compounds binding to the lipid raft proteins and disruption of the lipid bilayer.
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Rafael Arrojo e Drigo, an assistant professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, was one of 13 recipients of the Laureate Award from the international Endocrine society. This award honors his pioneering work at the intersection of thyroid biology, diabetes, and aging.

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Here at VU Basic Sciences, we ❤️ celebrating our trainees 🎉 Two of Katie Coate's graduate students, Neha Mohanty and Paula Nickles, were recipients of the HIRN 2026 Trainee Scholarship for their outstanding oral and poster presentations, respectively, at the 2026 HIRN annual meeting.

Paula (Grace) Nickles, Katie C. Coate (PI), Neha Mohanty standing together behind the HIRN logo.
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The Graduate School Career Colloquium is one week away!

This event provides career development opportunities as trainees begin to think about their future aspirations.

Registration is required for each individual event.

For more information, follow the link below.
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Fall 2026 Career Colloquium schedule (Mon 05–Fri 09) listing daily events and times including keynote "How a PhD Changes How You Work — And Live", professional headshots, Women in the Academy: Resilience After Rejection panel, mentor-network session, biotech investor talk, and NSF GRFP drop‑ins.
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This year’s Flulapalooza headliner: free flu shots! Join us tomorrow for Vanderbilt’s annual Flulapalooza! Bring your Vanderbilt University ID to receive your flu shot. Date: Friday, September 25th Time: 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Location: Langford Auditorium (enter through Light Hall, North Lobby)

Advertisement for Flulapalooza in the style of a concert flyer. Includes a picture of Flulapalooza attendees waiting in line for a flushot. A Flulapalooza standing sign is in the foreground.
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👏 Congratulations to Breann Brown, who was just elected as an executive council member of the Protein Society through 2029. The PS is dedicated to the study of protein structure, function, and design.

Brown studies how protein structure governs mitochondrial metabolism.
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Graphic with a headshot of Breann Brown in the top portion. Text below her image says, "CONGRATULATIONS. Dr. Breann Brown. 2026 Elected Member of The Protein Society Executive Council. The graphic is black and has gold swirls and other elements.
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Assistant Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Rafael Arrojo e Drigo received @endocrinesociety.bsky.social’s Richard E. Weitzman Outstanding Early Career Investigator Award, which recognizes an exceptionally promising young clinical or basic investigator.

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Headshot of Rafael Arrojo e Drigo. Their face is framed by a gold rectangle. Black text over gold near the bottom of the image says, “Recipient of the Richard E. Weitzman Outstanding Early Career Investigator Award from the Endocrine Society.”
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