phd psychology vanderbilt

Psychological Sciences

  Alert Content Goes Here

Psychological Sciences at Vanderbilt represents a diverse group of scholars in the Department of Psychology in the College Arts and Science , the Department of Psychology and Human Development in Peabody College , and faculty in allied disciplines across the university. Psychological Sciences combines breadth across the traditional domains of academic psychology with depth in specific programs of inquiry likely to contribute to solutions of major scientific, social, and psychological problems.

The graduate program in Psychological Sciences focuses on psychological theory and the development of original empirical research. Students are admitted to work toward the Ph.D. degree in the following areas:

• Clinical Science
• Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience
• Cognition in Context
• Developmental Science
• Neuroscience
• Quantitative Methods

Many of our faculty also participate in an Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program at Vanderbilt.

The Department of Psychology and Human Development in Peabody College offer undergraduate majors in Child Development , Cognitive Studies , and Child Studies , as well as Masters of Education programs in Child Studies and in Quantitative Methods .  The Department of Psychology in the Colleges of Art and Science offers an undergraduate major in Psychology .

Recent News

VIEW MORE EVENTS >

Your Vanderbilt

• Current Students
• Faculty & Staff
• International Students
• Parents & Family
• Prospective Students
• Researchers
• Sports Fans
• Visitors & Neighbors

Quick Links

• Faculty/Staff Openings
• Ph.D. in Psychological Sciences
• Participate in a Research Study
• Getting Research Experience

Neuroscience Ph.D. Program

Our Neuroscience Ph.D. Program is one of the best in the nation, and prepares students to become independent researchers, educators and trainers making significant contributions across all aspects of the field.

Program Overview

Our program combines rigorous coursework and sound training in the fundamentals of neuroscience, including the integrated study of nervous system function and disease, with opportunities for state-of-the-art research. 

Please reach out to Bruce Carter if you have any questions about the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program or the application process.

Bruce Carter

Director of Graduate Studies in Neuroscience

Associate Director for Education and Training, Vanderbilt Brain Institute Professor of Biochemistry

• 615-936-3041
• 625 Light Hall

View profile

We foster the development from trainee to independent research scientist and educator.

Individualized Attention

With 81 graduate students and 64 training faculty, our excellent student-teacher ratio results in extensive opportunities for interaction and exchange of ideas in a relaxed and collegial atmosphere. Our distinguished training faculty stem from diverse fields such as Psychology, Biochemistry, Molecular Physiology, and Pharmacology and capture the multidisciplinary nature of modern neurobiological inquiry.

Career Outlook

Graduates of our department are superbly prepared for a variety of career options in both academia and industry. Each student's program is designed to provide a broad-based education in neuroscience, yet accommodate individual needs and interests to allow students to become creative, independent scientists.

Students holding degrees in the biological or physical sciences, psychology, or biomedical engineering are especially encouraged to apply to the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program, but applicants from other fields will be considered.

Areas of Concentration

The Neuroscience Ph.D program offers two areas of concentration. Students have the option to emphasize either Cellular & Molecular or Cognitive & Systems neuroscience, preparing each trainee for a future in which neuroscientists must be able to navigate from molecules to cells to neural systems and behavior.

Cognitive & Systems

This path provides doctoral training with emphasis on cognitive neuroscience, sensory-motor systems, neuroimaging, neural development, synaptic plasticity, neurobiological basis of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, and targeted gene disruption in transgenic animals to ascertain the function of neural genes and establish disease models.

Cellular & Molecular

This path provides doctoral training with emphasis on neurogenetics and genetic dissection of neural development, molecular aspects of synapse formation and plasticity, structure and regulation of ion channels and transporters, targeting and signal transduction, psychotropic drug action, the molecular basis of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, and targeted gene disruption in transgenic animals to ascertain the function of neural genes and establish disease models.

Cellular & Molecular Application Tip

Students with broad biomedical interests are encouraged to apply through the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences instead of directly through the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program. This pathways provides a strong foundation in biomedical science prior to matriculation into neuroscience.

Students begin their first year with a general course in graduate level cellular and molecular biology and then begin specialized courses in Neuroscience in the spring semester of their first year.

Grants and Awards

University Tuition Scholarships are service-free awards that pay all or part of tuition costs. The following graduate awards are normally supplemented by a full University Tuition Scholarship, which usually includes student health insurance coverage:

• University Fellowships
• Graduate Teaching Assistantships
• Graduate Research Assistantships
• Traineeships
• Teacher Training Awards

The current stipend level for 2023-2024 is $36,500. In addition, applicants may be nominated at the time of application for Harold S. Vanderbilt graduate scholarships and other awards, which provide an additional stipend of up to $10,000 per year to students of exceptional accomplishment and high promise.

Training in Fundamental Neuroscience T32 Grant

The Neuroscience Graduate Program receives invaluable support from the "Training in Fundamental Neuroscience" NIH T32. Over 70 mentors across 22 departments within 4 schools and colleges are available to train students, with 65+ Neuroscience trainees earning PhDs in the past 5 years. Over 60 trainees have been supported by the T32 since its inception, with over a third subsequently securing their own fellowship funding. Program graduates have gone on to leadership positions in academia, industry, and additional research-related fields, providing a rich alumni network across multiple career tracks. The program includes works-in-progress seminars by all Neuroscience trainees, invited external seminar speakers including several suggested or hosted by trainees, and an annual retreat.

Graduate students interested in joining the training program should contact Dr. Bruce Carter, Associate Director for Education & Training and Director of Graduate Studies for the VBI.

Faculty interested in becoming T32 preceptors should contact Dr. Rebecca A. Ihrie or Dr. Lisa Monteggia, VBI Director.

Rebecca A. Ihrie

Associate Professor, Cell & Developmental Biology and Neurological Surgery

• 615-936-2951
• B2317 Medical Center North

View Profile

Graduate students in the Neuroscience Graduate program receiving Vanderbilt University financial support or services must devote full-time effort to graduate study. Students cannot accept jobs for pay within or outside the University unless prior approval is given by their advisor, their Director of Graduate Studies, and the Dean for the Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training. Exceptions to this rule include part-time internships and activities that contribute to career development and that do not exceed the time commitment outlined by the National Institutes of Health, service as course associates at Vanderbilt, and occasional and temporary part-time pursuits (e.g. house sitting). Engagement in outside employment without obtaining approval may result in loss of financial aid, including stipend.

Stress and Coping Research Lab

Bruce compas ph.d..

Bruce Compas is the Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Psychology and Human Development, Professor of Pediatrics, Co-Director of Clinical Psychology Training, and Director of Psychology at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. He received his bachelors degree in psychology and his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Compas’ research is focused on understanding and improving the ways that children, adolescents, and their parents cope with significant stress and adversity in their lives. Specifically, his work focuses on psychological, interpersonal, and biological processes related to coping and the regulation of emotions in response to stress and adversity. He is particularly interested in the translation of basic research into the development of interventions to enhance the ways that individuals and families cope with stress. His research involves both laboratory methods to study basic behavioral and biological processes, field research to understand coping and emotion-regulation in the context of psychopathology and physical illness, and randomized clinical trials to test the efficacy of preventive interventions.

Current studies include (a) Family Cognitive Behavioral Prevention of Depression in Youth and Parents ; (b) communication, coping and adjustment in children with cancer and their parents ; (c) Cognitive Remediation for Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients ; (d) Communication, Coping, and Executive Function in Children with Cancer ; (e) Thinking and Learning in Children with Sickle Cell Disease ; and (f) Enhancing Stress Management and Executive Function Skills in College Students . These projects are supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Cancer Institute, and by generous gifts from Patricia and Rodes Hart and the Valarie D. Potter Foundation.

Contact Information: [email protected]

Application Process

• How to Apply
• Application Requirements
• Reapplication, Deferrals & Non-Degree 
• Application FAQs
• Application Assistance

*Application live dates are August 15 - January 15.  

Meet Our Team

• OVPRI Organizational Chart

Padma Raghavan, Ph.D.

Vice Provost for Research and Innovation and Chief Research Officer Senior Advisor to the Chancellor Distinguished Professor of Computer Science For appointments, please contact Alex Hargett at [email protected] .

Padma Raghavan serves as the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation and holds the title of Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at Vanderbilt University. She is instrumental in shaping the university's research landscape, overseeing a broad range of initiatives from technology transfer to long-term strategic partnerships with industry and government. Notable collaborations include Ancora Innovation with Deerfield Management and the Pathfinder project with the U.S. Army. Prior to Vanderbilt, she made significant contributions at Penn State, where she was the Associate Vice President for Research and the founding Director of the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences.

In her academic role, Raghavan specializes in high-performance computing, focusing on developing algorithms for scalable, fault-tolerant, and energy-efficient computing. She is the recipient of prestigious accolades including the National Science Foundation’s CAREER award. She's been elevated to Fellow status in both the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). In 2022, she was appointed to the President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science, affirming her influence in the scientific community.

Vanessa Allwardt, PMP, CSM

Senior Manager for Executive & Strategic Research Projects [email protected] 615-635-8484

As the senior manager for executive and strategic research projects at Vanderbilt University's Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, Vanessa Allwardt drives strategic initiatives and supports high-level research strategy. Before joining in 2022, she managed over $70 million in complex R&D projects and led interdisciplinary research teams. Born in Germany, Allwardt moved to Nashville in 2004 and started at Vanderbilt in 2007 as an undergraduate researcher. She holds an A.A.S. in biotechnology and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM).

Alan Bentley, M.S.

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Development [email protected] 615-343-2430

Bentley joined CTTC in June 2011 and is responsible for directing all aspects of the office, focusing on faculty service and transactional efficiency. Prior to Vanderbilt, Bentley served for five years as the director of commercialization for Cleveland Clinic Innovations, that health care center’s technology commercialization function. Before the Cleveland Clinic, he served as the associate director of the University of Virginia’s Patent Foundation. Bentley received his M.S. in physics from the University of Virginia, and separate undergraduate degrees in electrical engineering and in physics from Carnegie Mellon University. Bentley is a registered patent agent and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of University Technology Managers.

Jennifer Bischoff, CPA, MAcc

Executive Director for Research Operations [email protected] 615-343-4798

As the Executive Director for Research Operations in Vanderbilt University's Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, Jennifer Bischoff oversees operational, financial, and administrative activities. She plays a crucial role in developing centers and institutes reporting to the Vice Provost. Before her current role, she held various leadership positions in financial administration at Vanderbilt since 2006. With over 20 years of experience in business management and financial operations, she earned her Master of Accountancy from Belmont University and a BA in Economics and Psychology from Vanderbilt.

Laurie Cutting, Ph.D.

Associate Provost [email protected]

Laurie E. Cutting is the Associate Provost at Vanderbilt, where she aims to foster interdisciplinary collaborations and boost Vanderbilt's position in ARPA-H projects. A distinguished scholar in neuroscience and child development, she also serves as the Associate Director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Prior to Vanderbilt, Cutting was an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins in both Neurology and Education. She has received numerous accolades including an NIH MERIT Award in 2018 and has contributed over 150 scholarly publications. Her role also involves promoting innovation, commercialization, and industry partnerships.

Alex Hargett, BSHS, MBA

Executive Assistant [email protected]

Alex Hargett joined OVPRI as the Executive Assistant to Vice Provost Padma Raghavan in March 2024. In her role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the office, providing comprehensive administrative support, managing communications, and coordinating schedules. Prior to joining Vanderbilt University, Alex served as an executive assistant within the healthcare and higher education sectors in Memphis, where she expertly balanced the administrative demands of multiple executives simultaneously.

Jane Hirtle, Ph.D., M.S.

Assistant Provost for Research Strategy [email protected] 615-343-1343

As chief-of-staff for Vanderbilt's Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, Jane Hirtle coordinates strategic activities, and leads research communications. She focuses on implementing the office’s vision and enhancing Vanderbilt’s research reputation. Hirtle also fosters collaborations with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Prior to her current role, she managed Vanderbilt's Undergraduate Medical Education evaluation team. A triple Vanderbilt alumna with a Ph.D. in psychology, her expertise includes cognitive development in infancy. With over a decade at Vanderbilt, she has diverse experience in research, administration, and education.

Cara Ince, M.A.

Director of Research and Innovation Public Partnerships [email protected] 615-343-2347

Nashville native and Vanderbilt alum, Care Ince, specializes in enhancing research and innovation collaborations between Vanderbilt and public sector leaders. Ince coordinates with key university units to identify and advance projects that align with government priorities and address community needs. Prior roles include serving as director of federal grants for Congressman Jim Cooper, Tennessee State Parks partnership director, and director of community relations at Conexion Americas. Her work focuses on creating synergies to benefit Nashville and Tennessee communities.

Jean Mercer, M.R.A.

Senior Assistant Provost for Sponsored Programs Administration and Compliance [email protected] 615-343-4390

As senior assistant provost, Jean Mercer oversees an expansive portfolio within Sponsored Programs Administration including grant proposal submission and non-financial award set-up, negotiation and management of contracts and subawards, research administration systems reporting, and training and procedures. Additionally, Mercer oversees Research Integrity and Compliance functions. With over 25 years in research administration, she is a certified research administrator and active contributor to national conversations in the field. Mercer holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Colorado and a master's in research administration from the University of Central Florida. She started her career at Indiana University, where she worked for 20 years, eventually becoming their director of grant services.

Hilda McMackin, Ph.D.

Director, Research Administration Systems and Reporting [email protected] 615-875-2716

As Director of Research Administration Systems and Reporting, Hilda McMackin led the transition to the Vanderbilt Electronic Research Administration (VERA) system, aiming to streamline research administration. With a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from Vanderbilt, she has diverse roles within the university, including lab management and grants oversight. She joined the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation in 2017, where she launched research development programs and managed compliance activities. McMackin has worked with an array of research sponsors and is an active member in the research administration community. In 2023, she won the National Organization of Research Development Professionals mentoring award.

Liane Moneta-Koehler, Ph.D.

Assistant Provost for Research Integrity and Compliance [email protected] 615-322-2875

As Assistant Provost for Research Integrity and Compliance at Vanderbilt, Liane Moneta-Koehler oversees the Research Integrity and Compliance Program. She collaborates with various departments to enhance Vanderbilt's research integrity and accountability, helps faculty navigate policies, and mitigates institutional risk. She also serves as the export control officer and facilitates Vanderbilt's partnership with the U.S. Army. Previously a director in the Office of the Vice Provost and a postdoctoral fellow, Moneta-Koehler holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and Human Development and has expertise in math cognition and doctoral student success.

David A. Owens, Ph.D.

Professor for the Practice of Management and Innovation Evans Family Executive Director, The Wond’ry Innovation Center [email protected] 615-322-2673

David A. Owens is the Evans Family Executive Director of The Wond’ry, Vanderbilt's Innovation Center, and Professor of the Practice of Innovation at Owen Graduate School. With multidisciplinary appointments across Vanderbilt, he is a leading authority on innovation. Owens earned his PhD and BS from Stanford and is a Registered Professional Engineer. He has extensive industry experience, including as CEO of Griffin Technology and consultant for major firms like NASA and LEGO. His book "Creative People Must Be Stopped" serves as the basis for a popular MOOC, and he sits on various corporate boards.

Herschel Pollard, M.S.

Research Communications and Events Manager [email protected] 615-343-7995

Herschel Pollard, a strategic communicator and Nashville native is a journalism graduate from The University of Tennessee. He began his career in digital journalism with WTVF, earning two Emmy awards. After completing his master's, he transitioned to strategic communications, working at the Healthcare Solutions Group and later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as a senior strategy consultant. In his current role, Pollard focuses on enhancing Vanderbilt’s research and innovation reputation through comprehensive communications, events, and strategic collaborations.

Christian Presley, MEng

Executive Director of ACCRE [email protected]

Christian  has spent the past 25 years supporting higher education and research computing. For 13 years he led IT and Research Computing for the Institute for  Bio science and  Bio technology Research, a joint research institute between multiple University of Maryland colleges, the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). There he championed the growth of computing as a partner to science and research by working hand in hand with researchers to develop high performance computing (HPC), large scale parallel storage, software tools, and websites. His most recent work involved leading  the launch of the newest supercomputing cluster for the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at NIH. At NIH, he opened up the computing environment tools beyond traditional HPC to include 3D accelerated remote workstations and 'white glove' service of scientific instrumentation.  Christian  is originally from Nashville and attended Hume-Fogg Academic HS and excited to be back at Vanderbilt where he got his first taste of higher education as high school student. He has a BS in Computer Engineering from Brigham Young University and a Masters of Engineering in Project Management from the University of Maryland. In a former life, he was a competitive ballroom dancer. 

Joanne Spitz, M.A., C.R.A

Executive Director, Research Development and Support [email protected] 615-343-8949

Joanne Spitz is the Director of Research Development at Vanderbilt University, responsible for enhancing faculty research funding. With over 30 years of experience, she previously elevated grant initiatives at Baylor University and spent 32 years in various research roles at Washington University in St. Louis. Spitz is a Certified Research Administrator and holds degrees from St. Louis University and Washington University. She coordinates with multiple departments to support Vanderbilt’s research aims and has a history of establishing successful grant programs. She has also worked as a freelance academic editor for over 15 years.

Christopher Rowe, M.E., Ed. D.

Executive Director for Industry Collaborations [email protected] 615-343-0348

Christopher Rowe is executive director for industry collaborations in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, working on the Vice Provost’s team and with the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization. He leads the institution’s efforts to create and expand mutually beneficial industry research collaborations that advance strategic scientific programs, solves industry-relevant research and development challenges, and provides channels to deploy and commercialize new technologies of substantial societal impact. He holds faculty appointments in engineering management and communication of science and technology. Prior to his current role, he served as associate dean for external relations, communications director, and inaugural faculty director for the A. James Clark Scholars Program in the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering. Professor Rowe has authored scholarly papers on first-year engineering education, tech-based entrepreneurship, global engineering education and commercialization strategies for new technologies. He has held leadership positions in the American Society for Engineering Education; is a member of the American Society for Engineering Management, the Council of Engineering Management Academic Leaders, and the Association of University Technology Managers; and completed ABET’s Institute for the Development of Excellence in Assessment Leadership. He holds degrees in biomedical engineering and management of technology from the Vanderbilt School of Engineering and a doctorate in higher education leadership and policy from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College. He has consulted with a wide range of engineering companies, focusing on high-tech startups developing commercialization strategies.

Jason Valentine, Ph.D.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Faculty Liaison [email protected] 615-875-5508

Professor Jason Valentine is a mechanical engineering faculty at Vanderbilt University, specializing in optical metamaterials and hot electron devices. A Purdue and UC Berkeley alum, his work was named one of Time Magazine's "Top 10 Scientific Discoveries in 2008." He has received the NSF CAREER Award, the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award, and the Chancellor’s Award for Research at Vanderbilt. As faculty liaison, he collaborates with Vanderbilt faculty and leadership to align research priorities between the university and ORNL.

Elizabeth J. Zechmeister, Ph.D.

Associate Provost for Research and Innovation [email protected] 615-322-5016

Elizabeth J. Zechmeister is the Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science and Director of the LAPOP Lab at Vanderbilt University. As associate provost, she facilitates human subjects and global research. A leading expert in international survey research, she oversees the AmericasBarometer and the global Comparative Study of Electoral Systems project. Her work has garnered major grants and the Earl Sutherland Prize for Achievement in Research. An acclaimed educator, Zechmeister has won multiple teaching and mentoring awards and engages students through innovative programs like the LAPOP Fellows immersion and a summer REU program.

Psychology Programs (B.S.)

Quick links

• Tuition and Financial Aid
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Request Information

Program Overview

Delve into the scientific study of the biological, cognitive, and social development of young humans. 

The Department of Psychology and Human Development is a group of scholars who work to increase understanding of basic psychological functioning in family, school, and other social contexts that influence development.

Psychology Programs

Child development.

Learn more about Child Development

Cognitive Studies

Learn more about Cognitive Studies

Child Studies

Learn more about Child Studies

Psychology Minors

The minor in Child Psychology and Mental Health focuses on the development of psychopathology, including depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders; evidence-based assessment and treatment of psychological disorders in children and adolescents; and clinical science research methods. Because emotional and behavioral functioning are central to human life, these studies will be useful to those interested in the behavioral sciences and education and particularly relevant for those interested in clinical research careers.

The minor in Language Sciences emphasizes language theory and research in the behavioral sciences. A working knowledge of the basic processes involved in speaking, understanding, and reading will benefit students interested in the learning sciences.

Thirty-three students named in the inaugural awarding of the Provost Pathbreaking Discovery Award

Media inquiries.

• 615-322-6397 Email

Latest Stories

• WATCH: One community, diverse perspectives
• The Choice: Meacham and Geer on 2024
• Why have venture capitalists become so founder-friendly?

Share this Story

May 16, 2024, 9:35 AM

Thirty-three students were named in the inaugural awarding of the Provost Pathbreaking Discovery Award. This award, funded by the Enhanced Funding and Support Model for Doctoral Education , recognizes doctoral students who exhibit exceptional academic excellence in areas such as publications, awards, patents and other forms of national/international distinction.

Awardees have distinguished themselves as peer reviewers for prestigious journals, published authors and presenters at national and international venues. Among other professional and academic accolades, they have contributed significantly to field advancements through innovative research, volunteered within the community, mentored fellow students and demonstrated exceptional scholarship throughout their tenure as graduate students at Vanderbilt University.

Winners include:

• George Abitante, psychological sciences
• Bunmi Adegbola, religion
• Vera Borkowski, nursing science
• Mariah Caballero, community research and action
• Darian Carroll, molecular physiology and biophysics
• Marianne Casilio, hearing and speech sciences
• Abigail Ciriegio, psychological sciences
• Colton Cronin, law
• Kelly Cunningham, philosophy
• Ryan Fansler, microbe-host interactions
• Zahra Farahbakhsh, neuroscience
• Azuah Gonzalez, molecular pathology and immunology
• Monika Grabowksa, biomedical informatics
• Krista Haapanen, community research and action
• Sarah Hagaman, English
• Chancey Herbolsheimer, sociology
• Alex Hughes, chemistry
• Mirazul Islam, cell and developmental biology
• Liam Kelly, earth and environmental sciences
• Tara Mack, human genetics
• Lindsay Martin, biological sciences
• Kara McNamara, cancer biology
• Mellissa Meisels, political science
• Ludwig Noya, religion
• Koichi Oyakawa, mathematics
• Alexandra Reichert, anthropology
• Amy Stark, pharmacology
• David Storm, physics
• Shengxin Tu, biostatistics
• Paige Vega, cell and developmental biology
• Cong Wang, epidemiology
• Bethany Young, nursing science
• Xiaoyu (Lily) Yu, biochemistry

“In recognizing the exceptional achievements of our students through the Provost Pathbreaking Discovery Award, we celebrate not just their individual scholarship, but the collective impact they make on their respective fields,” said C. André Christie-Mizell, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School. “These students embody academic excellence, setting new standards with their groundbreaking research, impactful publications and notable contributions to society.”

The achievements of these students not only reflect their dedication to their fields but also inspire future generations of scholars. Congratulations to these exceptional individuals for their outstanding contributions and well-deserved recognition.

Keep Reading

Graduate School recognizes excellence among students, faculty at Honors Banquet

How can universities diversify their classes in a post-affirmative action admissions landscape?

Limited Submission Opportunity: ADA Pathway to Stop Diabetes Awards (Initiator and Accelerator)

Explore story topics.

• Andre Christie-Mizell
• Arts and Science
• Enhanced Funding and Support Model for Doctoral Education
• Graduate School
• Office of the Provost
• Peabody College
• Ph.D. students
• Provost Pathbreaking Discovery Award
• Research and Innovation
• School of Medicine
• School of Nursing
• Vanderbilt Law School

Department of Psychology

Kickball 2024 edition.

Posted by gauthii on Thursday, May 16, 2024 in Events: Past , News .

This year’s Kickball event was a success! Playing under the tent was surprisingly nice, and we didn’t break anything. A team of staff, faculty and student from Psychology (aka “not Ashleigh’s team”) was victorious against the younger, stronger and eager (but perhaps still too green?) team of students from PSY 1200 General Psychology Maymester (team Freud, thanks to Ashleigh’s excellent guidance re. the most important and current thinkers of our field)! Thanks to Erin Duran and Ashleigh Maxcey for organizing, Adriane Seiffert for bringing snacks, and Ashley Watts for a guest appearance on the field! Rumor is that next year, the event will be *opt-out*, with a note from the doctor or a dean’s excuse among the acceptable justifications for not partaking in the festivities.

Comments are closed

2024 Divinity Commencement Awards and Certificates

Academic and service awards.

The Founder’s Medal for first honors in the Divinity School’s Class of 2024 for the master of divinity: Sarah Moore

The Academic Achievement Award for achieving a high standard of scholarship while fulfilling the requirements for the master of theological studies: Krista Faith Westervelt

The Umphrey Lee Dean’s Award for exemplifying the mission and vision of the Divinity School: Matthew Nettles

The Saint James Academy Award for composing the outstanding sermon: Tatayana Richardson

The Frederick Buechner Prize for excellence in preaching: Claire Hitchins

The Frederick Buechner Prize for the master of theological studies thesis: Krista Faith Westervelt

The Frederick Buechner Prize for the doctor of ministry project in integrative chaplaincy: Carmen Jean Battle and Mary Elizabeth Hayes

The W. Kendrick Grobel Award for accomplishments in Biblical studies: Joon Hyeok Yang

The J.D. Owen Prize for accomplishments in New Testament studies: Emma May Welch

The John Olin Knott Award for scholarly writing: Camden Ador, Sarah Moore, and Krista Faith Westervelt

The Elliott F. Shepard Prize for accomplishments in church history: Jimin Lim

The Wilbur F. Tillett Prize for accomplishments in the study of ethics: Sarah Moore and Paris White

The Nella May Overby Memorial Award for honors in field education: Tatayana Richardson

The William A. Newcomb Prize for receiving honors on one’s master of divinity degree project: Lauren Ileana Sotolongo

The Liston O. Mills Award for academic distinction in pastoral theology and the study of religion, psychology, and culture: Claire Hitchins

The Robert Lewis Butler Award for service and ministry in the African American Church: Cameron Robinson

The United Methodist Student Association Award for exemplifying the Wesleyan ideals of Christian servant leadership: Stacey Haralson

The Doctorate of Ministry Award for distinction in integrative care practices: Katelyn Elise O’Dunne

The Bettye R. Ford Graduate Student Service Award for significant contributions to Vanderbilt University’s Graduate Department of Religion: Rebecca Votral

The Student Government Association Service Awards presented to the students and to members of the administration, faculty, and staff for significant contributions to the Divinity School community:

Student: Lauren Ileana Sotolongo Faculty: Jennifer Quigley , assistant professor of New Testament

Harry Hosier Spirit Award For this academic year, the Divinity School announces a new award that honors the life and legacy of the Reverend Harry Hosier, one of American Methodism’s greatest preachers. The editors of By Faith magazine have invited Dean Pierce to select a degree candidate for the Harry Hosier Spirit Award, and in the judgment of the dean, the award is presented to: Thomas Arkansas, Jr.

Certificates

The Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality: Natalia Elaine Pierson

Religion and the Arts in Contemporary Culture: Claire Hitchins

The Kelly Miller Smith Institute in Black Church Studies: Thomas Arkansas, Christiana Green, and Tatayana Richardson

Learn more about Vanderbilt Divinity School awards here.

My Schizophrenia Heroes: Elyn Saks and John Nash

A personal perspective: after i was diagnosed with schizophrenia, recovery stories inspired me..

Posted May 12, 2024 | Reviewed by Devon Frye

• What Is Psychosis?
• Find counselling to treat psychosis

When I was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2007, I was adamantly opposed to the diagnosis and convinced it was absolutely wrong. I thought I was too strong and too smart to ever have schizophrenia.

However, several weeks following my diagnosis, slowly, I began to see my need for medication, realizing that the prescribed medicine actually cleared my mind and changed my behavior. At that time, I resolved to learn as much about schizophrenia as I could, and I am always still learning.

The fundamental and important things I learned were that schizophrenia is a brain disorder (not an emotional problem or a sign of weakness) and that schizophrenia is actually treatable. Thanks to some very encouraging conversations with one of my first doctors, I decided that I wanted treatment as much as I wanted the renewed life I was told it would bring.

Ever since then, I have been medication adherent. Treatment adherence brought me to a level of wellness that enabled me to graduate from college magna cum laude. Ten years ago, I published my memoir, and I established a charitable foundation in 2016 with my former psychiatrist.

Looking back, it would have been hard to move forward in my life without role models who had once been profoundly psychotic but had still found the treatment they needed to thrive academically and personally. I remember finding helpful blogs written by a young man living in California who graduated with his physics degree despite schizophrenia, as well as essays by other obscure authors who were doing very well thanks to faithful adherence to treatment.

I am grateful that these young people choose to share their triumphs online. Their stories gave me hope for recovery. In my work today, I often connect with persons who are thriving despite schizophrenia, and share their recovery stories on my foundation’s website (1).

Of these exceptional people I have discovered over the years, there were two who inspired me the most. They helped me confirm my decision to stay on medication and served as the role models I needed while I recovered and prepared to return to college in 2009. I greatly admire University of Southern California Law Professor Elyn Saks and the late mathematician John Nash.

Elyn Saks has worked as a law professor at USC since 1989, against all odds. She graduated from Yale Law School, following multiple very severe psychotic breaks. Before law school, she attended Vanderbilt University, graduating summa cum laude and as valedictorian. However, in her memoir, she describes that early signs of schizophrenia significantly affected her as an undergraduate, and she often neglected her personal hygiene.

During a hospitalization that took place soon after the start of law school, her treatment team contacted Yale to confirm that she would not be returning to school (which would have been illegal, by some standards, today). Elyn Saks struggled to find a medication that would enable her to focus on her studies, as the first antipsychotic medication that helped her mind left her unable to read, or even walk normally.

In her memoir, Elyn Saks describes periodic psychotic episodes throughout the course of her life, even many years after becoming a professor at the University of Southern California. Today, she also holds an honorary Ph.D. for her successful research and advocacy over many years. I wish I could personally thank Professor Saks and let her know that her story allowed me to see that it was possible to thrive at a high level despite schizophrenia.

John Nash was diagnosed with schizophrenia not long after the release of the very first antipsychotic medication in the world. Chlorpromazine (first released in France in 1952) was groundbreaking, but, unfortunately, came with many unwelcome side effects. Many people on the medication improved significantly but experienced involuntary movement disorders, sedation, a feeling of a mental “fog,” and other serious problems.

Like me, when John Nash was diagnosed with schizophrenia, he had no insight, believing that government officials were following him constantly and that he was a part of a complex conspiracy. But in his recovery, John Nash returned to his studies of mathematics. In 1994, he traveled to Norway to accept a Nobel Prize for groundbreaking mathematics work he had done in economics as a young man. Despite struggling with symptoms of schizophrenia for the rest of his life, he continued to remain a part of the elite mathematics community and make a contribution, until he passed away in 2015.

In my opinion, John Nash serves as a beacon of hope to everyone living with schizophrenia. Despite schizophrenia, even the greatest ambitions are still possible.

Grateful for My Treatment

I am grateful to have been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2007 when newer medications for psychosis were available. I struggled and suffered on my first antipsychotics , but I am certain that if I had taken the medications Elyn Saks and John Nash were mandated to take, my suffering would have been considerably worse.

And I am still deeply grateful to have found an antipsychotic that gives me a great life with very few side effects. I found this medication one year after I began searching for the best schizophrenia treatment tailored to me.

There is hope for schizophrenia. Even those of us who suffer the most can achieve the most unexpected and remarkable things. I have found that you never know what life may bring, but the foundational acceptance of treatment is the key to a recovered life and boundless purpose.

(1) Schizophrenia Survivors. https://curesz.org/survivors/ Retrieved May 12, 2024

Bethany Yeiser is the author of Mind Estranged: My Journey from Schizophrenia and Homelessness to Recovery.

• Find a Therapist
• Find a Treatment Center
• Find a Psychiatrist
• Find a Support Group
• Find Online Therapy
• International
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Therapy Center NEW
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives.

• Emotional Intelligence
• Gaslighting
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience

Ten Vanderbilt engineering students awarded prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

Brenda Ellis

May 16, 2024, 3:30 PM

Seven engineering graduate students and three undergraduates in the Vanderbilt School of Engineering are 2024 recipients of the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

“These fellowships are extremely competitive, so being selected as an NSF Graduate Fellow is a tremendous recognition of our outstanding students and our faculty mentors. In addition to these students who are already at Vanderbilt, the graduate student cohort that is matriculating this fall will include several additional NSF recipients,” said E. Duco Jansen, senior associate dean for Graduate Education. The School of Engineering currently has over 45 NSF GRF awardees.

The seven current engineering graduate student winners are:

• Emily Berestesky, Biomedical Engineering
• Austin Coursey, Computer Science
• Skyler Hornback, Chemical Engineering
• William Richardson, Computer Science
• Soren Smail, Interdisciplinary Materials Science
• Jacob Schulman, Biomedical Engineering
• Harrison Walker, Interdisciplinary Materials Science

The three engineering undergraduate winners are:

• Abigail Eisenklam, Computer Science/Mathematics
• Alexander Oh, Electrical Engineering/Computer Science
• Schyler Rowland, Biomedical Engineering

Each of those fellowships provides three years of financial support inclusive of an annual stipend of $37,000 along with a $16,000 cost-of-education allowance for tuition and fees, as well as access to opportunities for professional development available to NSF-supported graduates students. It is one of the most prestigious awards for graduate students, with about 16% of applicants awarded each year.

Begun in 1952, this fellowship program is the oldest and most prestigious of its kind; 42 recipients have gone on to become Nobel laureates, and more than 450 have become members of the National Academy of Sciences.

Contact: [email protected]

Explore Story Topics

• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical and Computer Engineering