News Story Category
The student becomes the teacher: one undergraduate’s journey in environmental protection
Jun. 3, 2025—Growing up, Devan Wiley spent a lot of time in nature. As part of an active family that encouraged outdoor adventures, Wiley developed a love for the natural world. But it wasn’t until college, when Wiley began to realize the full extent of the climate crisis, that they found themself drawn toward environmental protection. While...
Faculty Accolades 2024-25
May. 23, 2025—Throughout the past academic year, faculty in the College of Arts and Science have shown tremendous dedication to not only providing unparalleled instruction, but also toward advancing their scholarship and research. From powerful discoveries to creative expression across a wide range of disciplines, our faculty are making impactful contributions to their respective fields and to...
Research roundup: 11 things we learned this year
May. 23, 2025—Illustrations by Liz Chagnon Faculty in the College of Arts and Science are pursuing groundbreaking research and discovery across a wide range of fields. They advance scientific progress, artistic expression, and a deeper understanding of the world around us—its past, present, and future. Here are a few things we’ve learned from our faculty this academic...
College of Arts and Science graduate students receive teaching awards
May. 23, 2025—The College of Arts and Science recently recognized four graduate students for exceptional teaching in the 2024-2025 academic year: Savannah Bastian and Lucia Edafioka received the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Assistant award, Pragun Tuladhar received the Outstanding Graduate Student Laboratory Instructor award, and Sarah Hagaman received the Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher award. “Of the nearly...
Scientists discover new evidence of intermediate-mass black holes
May. 23, 2025—In the world of black holes, there are generally three size categories: stellar-mass black holes (about five to 50 times the mass of the sun), supermassive black holes (millions to billions of times the mass of the sun), and intermediate-mass black holes with masses somewhere in between. While we know that intermediate-mass black holes should...
Two semesters same interview – a First-Year experience with Bethel Derege
May. 1, 2025—Say hello to Bethel Derege (Class of 2028) as she answers the same questions across two different semesters, for a peak into a first-year experience in the College of Arts and Science.
Vanderbilt joins Global Urban Humanities Network of scholars and practitioners
Apr. 24, 2025—Vanderbilt University has joined the Urban Humanities Network (UHN) as a consortium campus, solidifying the university’s place among leading institutions at the forefront of urban humanities scholarship. Established in 2022, UHN unites universities, organizations, and researchers dedicated to interdisciplinary study within the urban humanities, which operates at the nexus of humanities, urbanism, and design. As...
Growing academically and personally through undergraduate research
Apr. 21, 2025—In many ways, the Vanderbilt undergraduate experience is a unique one. One example is in the unparalleled, hands-on research opportunities that students have from the moment they step onto campus. Undergraduate research is a defining experience at Vanderbilt, providing students the opportunity to think critically, apply their knowledge, and engage in the scientific process. However,...
Every day needs a night: study examines impact of artificial light on life cycle of trees
Apr. 8, 2025—While taking a flight one evening, Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Lin Meng observed that the landscape outside of her window was lit up entirely by artificial light. In that moment, a thought crossed her mind: artificial light is everywhere, but what are the ecological consequences? Meng explored that question in a recent...
A lot of nerve: One undergraduate’s path to treating brain cancer
Mar. 27, 2025—It all started during his senior year of high school, when Shanay Desai watched the world go digital due to the pandemic. During that time, Desai mentored lowerclassmen from other high schools through a virtual STEM outreach program. It was then that his interest in neuroscience was sparked. “We would teach them a little bit...