News & Events
Vanderbilt University biologists discover that rising temperature accelerates aging in mosquitoes, weakening their immune system
Jan. 25, 2024—By Sarah Ward, Evolutionary Studies graduate communications assistant Climate change may weaken mosquitoes by speeding up aging and slowing down their immune system. A study published January 10, 2024 in PLOS Pathogens by Vanderbilt biology graduate student Lindsay Martin and Centennial Professor of Biological Sciences Julián Hillyer found that mosquitoes age more quickly when temperatures...
Chancellor Diermeier visits the Evolutionary Studies Initiative
Jan. 24, 2024—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator On January 17, 2024, the Evolutionary Studies Initiative (ESI) was honored to receive a visit from Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. Chancellor Diermeier’s visit included an introduction to ESI’s mission and the research of select members, an open-ended discussion on investing in the future of evolutionary studies at Vanderbilt, and...
Sarah Worthan, Postdoc in Biological Sciences, Wins Prestigious Zuckerlandl Prize
Jan. 23, 2024—By: Andy Flick Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator The Zuckerlandl Prize is given to the top paper published in the Journal of Molecular Evolution. The honor of the 2023 Zuckerlandl Prize belongs to a paper by first-author Sarah Worthan, a postdoctoral researcher in the Behringer lab in Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt. Worthan was excited to talk...
Renowned Evolutionary Paleontologist Neil Shubin to Deliver Darwin Day Lecture
Jan. 23, 2024—By: Andy Flick Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator Neil Shubin, a trailblazing evolutionary biologist known for his groundbreaking research, including the discovery of Tiktaalik, a pivotal transitional fossil, is set to deliver the highly anticipated 2024 Darwin Day Lecture on February 7th. Finding Your Inner Fish: Genes, Embryos, and Fossils in Evolution, part of Vanderbilt University’s...
Collagen IV and the Aspirnauts
Dec. 4, 2023—By: Bryce Emanuel, Evolutionary Studies undergraduate communications assistant Sergei Boudko, a research assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, recently published a paper, Collagen IV of basement membranes: IV. Adaptive mechanism of collagen IV scaffold assembly in Drosophila. Boudko earned his Master’s degree in Applied Physics and Mathematics from the Moscow...
Twenty Years of Understanding Genetics in Literature and Society
Dec. 4, 2023—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator Jay Clayton, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of English, first received funding from the National Institutes of Health to study genetics in literature, film and popular culture in 2003. According to the application, this first grant funded, “a working group of scholars in literature, film, and media studies...
Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Researcher Reveals Genomic Secrets of Ocean Sponges
Dec. 4, 2023—By: Sarah Ward Evolutionary Studies graduate communications assistant Picture a thriving marine environment. Perhaps you envision a community as colorful and lively as “Finding Nemo,” where massive schools of fish are flanked by sharks and sea turtles. What about sponges? While perhaps less popular than their flamboyant counterparts, these organisms are the foundation of life...
2023 Pilot Grants
Nov. 28, 2023—In the space below, find our stories about the pilot grants that were awarded in Summer of 2023. We are excited to be able to support work in 11 labs with this funding call!
Researchers Root US Maternal Health Disparities in the Social Environment
Oct. 15, 2023—By: Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator Monica Keith, assistant professor of Anthropology, recently published insights into the complex factors contributing to maternal hypertension and health disparities in a paper titled, “Social Determinant Pathways to Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Among Nulliparous U.S. Women” in the journal Women’s Health Issues. This research, based on an analysis...
Researchers Reveal Insights into Bacterial Genome Evolution
Oct. 15, 2023—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies Scientific Coordinator In a new study led by graduate student Carl Stone and his advisor, assistant professor of biological sciences, Megan Behringer, the team studied the effects of DNA repair pathways on genome-wide methylated DNA adenines (6mA). 6mA is a modification to DNA such that a methyl group is added...
Renowned Evolutionary Biologists Peter and Rosemary Grant to Deliver Inaugural Biodiversity Day Lecture
Sep. 25, 2023—Nashville, TN – Vanderbilt University’s Evolutionary Studies Initiative is thrilled to announce that distinguished evolutionary biologists Peter and Rosemary Grant will be delivering the inaugural Biodiversity Day Lecture as part of the ESI seminar series. The Grants are widely recognized for their groundbreaking research on the evolution of Darwin’s finches, which has transformed our understanding...
Vanderbilt Researcher Illuminates the Impact of Sunlight on Eye Function
Sep. 22, 2023—By: Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator A recent study by assistant professor of biology and ophthalmology Gianni Castiglione illuminates our understanding of eye diseases like macular degeneration. The paper, Convergent evolution of dim light vision in owls and deep-diving whales, was published in “Current Biology.” Rhodopsin (RHO), a light-sensitive protein found in the rod...
Carlos Taboada Joins Vanderbilt University and Evolutionary Studies Initiative
Aug. 28, 2023—By: Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator Carlos Taboada is the newest member of the Vanderbilt University Evolutionary Studies Initiative. Taboada’s research focuses on the evolutionary biochemistry of animal coloration. In Taboada’s words, “our lab lies at the interface of biochemistry, evolution, and visual ecology. We investigate the mechanisms that explain remarkable optical traits in...
New Avenue for Understanding Antibiotic Resistance Evolution
Aug. 1, 2023—By: Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator In a new paper led by Houra Merrikh, the team showed that oxidative stress is a major factor in the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The paper, “Oxidative stress drives mutagenesis through transcription-coupled repair in bacteria,” was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences....
National Center for Science Education Hosts Conference at Vanderbilt University
Jul. 19, 2023—By: Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator The National Center for Science Education supports teachers in accurately conveying what can often be seen as the difficult or even politicized concepts in science. Making strides to help teachers understand topics like climate change and evolution are high priorities for the organization. This year, NCSE chose Vanderbilt...