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Below is a list of Biological Sciences faculty who may have openings for undergraduates who need mentors. Please contact for more information those faculty in whose research you are interested.
Research Labs Accepting Inquiries |
Mentors |
Research Interest |
Contact |
| Appel, Bruce |
Genetic mechanisms of vertebrate neural development |
e-mail |
Abbot, Patrick
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Social evolution, behavioral ecology, and molecular evolutionary genetics. |
e-mail
|
Broadie, Kendal
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Genetic dissection of nervous system development, function and plasticity |
e-mail
|
Carter, Clint
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Parasite Immunology and Biochemistry
|
e-mail
|
| Catania, Ken |
Mammalian sensory systems with a focus on cerebral cortex organization, function, and development. |
e-mail |
Chung, Chang Y.
|
Signaling Pathways Regulating Cellular Motility and Cytoskeleton
|
e-mail
|
| Eichman, Brandt |
Structural biology of DNA repair and replication machinery |
e-mail |
| Fanning, Ellen |
DNA replication and damage repair in mammalian cells |
e-mail |
| Friedman, Katherine |
Maintenance of chromosome ends by telomerase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. |
e-mail |
Funk, Daniel J.
|
Speciation; ecological specialization; phylogenetic diversification; molecular evolutionary genetics; herbivorous insect biology, ecology, and evolution
|
e-mail
|
Gamse, Joshua T.
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Left-Right Asymmetry in the Zebrafish Brain.
|
e-mail
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| Graham, Todd |
Protein transport, sorting and organelle biogenesis |
e-mail |
| Hillyer, Julian |
Insect immunity; biology of disease-causing pathogens in mosquito vectors. |
e-mail |
| Janetopoulos, Chris |
Polarity during cell migration and cellular division |
e-mail |
Johnson, Carl H.
|
Cellular and Molecular Biology of Biological Clocks
|
e-mail
|
| Kaplan, Daniel L. |
Mechanism and function of ring-shaped helicases as part of multi-protein assemblies. |
e-mail |
| Krezel, Andrezej M. |
Structural NMR studies of proteins and protein-protein interactions |
e-mail |
| LeStourgeon, Wallace M. |
Molecular mechanisms of RNA splicing |
e-mail |
McCauley, David E
|
Population-Level Studies in Plants and Insects |
e-mail
|
| McMahon, Douglas G. |
Molecular neurobiology of the visual and circadian systems of the retina and brain. |
e-mail |
Page, Terry
|
Neurobiology of circadian rhythms |
e-mail
|
| Patton, James G. |
Alternative splicing and the control of gene expression; vertebrate microRNA function; gene therapy |
e-mail |
| Rokas, Antonis |
Phylogenetics, Molecular Evolution, Comparative Genomics, Origins of Multicellularity in Eukaryotes, Evolution of Genetic Pathways in Fungi |
e-mail
|
Singleton, Charles
|
Cell-environment communication during development.
|
e-mail
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| Solnica-Krezel, Lilianna |
Mechanisms of gastrulation during vertebrate embryogenesis |
e-mail |
| Stubbs, Gerald |
Molecular structure of viruses, particularly filamentous plant viruses; protein crystallography, fiber diffraction |
e-mail |
| Webb, Donna |
Cellular Neurobiology, Signal Transduction Pathways that Regulate Adhesion and Cytoskeletal Dynamics in Migration and Synapse Formation, Neurobiology |
e-mail |
| Yamazaki, Shin |
in vivo recording, luminescence reporting, longterm brain culture |
e-mail |
| Zwiebel, Larry |
Molecular Genetics and Neurobiology of Olfaction in Drosophila and Disease Vector Mosquitoes |
e-mail |
View Labs Accepting Student Research Inquiries Students are encouraged to carry out research projects for credit. Typically, students start with either a Research Internship (BSCI 280) in the sophomore year, or Directed Laboratory Research (BSCI 283) in the sophomore or junior year. Other sequences are possible; consult the catalog for prerequisites.
A maximum of 6 credit hours of 282 (Independent Reading), 283 (Directed Research) and 286 (Independent Research) may be counted toward the major. More hours may be taken for elective credit, and many more hours of BSCI 296 (Honors research) may count toward the Honors major.
The Department of Biological Sciences has many opportunities for summer research. Students may be paid or they may carry out research for credit, and there are several specific summer research programs in which students may participate.
These programs offer exceptional opportunities to begin research or to continue a research project started during the school year. They are available to students at all levels, although some programs give preference to rising seniors. Most programs last approximately 10 weeks and include a stipend. All students in residence during the summer are encouraged to attend special summer seminars, designed to complement our various summer programs.
If eligible, students are advised to apply to more than one program. In all cases, students should first make arrangements with an individual faculty member or contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Many labs within our department seek undergraduate research assistants to participate in ongoing research programs. As part of the research team you will gain valuable experience and have opportunities to interact with the research community. Research assistant schedules are usually flexible, and students who are enthusiastic about the research are frequently given the opportunity to work on their own projects. In addition, paid research positions can lead to research for credit in later years. You can apply for a paid undergraduate research assistant position by contacting a professor directly. If you do not have a specific lab in mind, you can search the Student Employment Office website for available positions. Caution:
Research opportunities also exist in many Vanderbilt University Medical School Departments, but students are reminded that research in other departments cannot count toward Biological Sciences majors as there is no way for the department to evaluate said research. It is therefore not possible for a project begun on a paid or voluntary basis in another department to become an Honors project or a research project for credit toward the major. Doing research in Medical School labs are worthwhile experiences for students with interest in research; simply remember that such experiences will not count toward course credit.
Each semester, there are a number of teaching assistant positions available to senior and second semester junior students. Applicants must be majoring in Biological Sciences or a closely related field with a concentration of courses in Biological Sciences. Serving as a TA provides an opportunity for those considering graduate school or a career in teaching biology to gain experience. It is also an honor reserved for outstanding students in the department. For additional information about specific duties for each course, contact the lab coordinators: Dr. Denise Due (BSCI 100) or Dr. Steve Baskauf (BSCI 111).
If you would like to apply for a TA position, please submit an application to Roz Johnson in the Department of Biological Sciences, VU Station B 351634.
Tutors are needed for the introductory and intermediate level BSCI courses. For information, click here.
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