Vanderbilt Kennedy Center News Monday, July 21, 2025

Annette Schaffer Eskind, a civic leader and philanthropist who, with her late husband, Irwin Eskind, MD, made transformational contributions to Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and throughout the city of Nashville, died July 13. She was 97.

Longtime Vanderbilt supporter Annette Eskind dies

Last Updated: 7/18/2025 10:45:04 AM

Kindred Stories: Behavior Supports and Practices in Tennessee Schools [Art Exhibit]

Kindred Stories: Behavior Supports and Practices in Tennessee Schools [Art Exhibit]

Last Updated: 6/26/2025 4:28:20 PM

Special note on proposed elimination of UCEDDs

Special note on proposed elimination of UCEDDs

Last Updated: 6/12/2025 4:44:51 PM

The Path Forward: Insights from the Tennessee DD Network Needs Assessment Survey

The Path Forward: Insights from the Tennessee DD Network Needs Assessment Survey

Last Updated: 6/11/2025 12:14:10 PM

Melissa Duff, PhD, professor and vice chair for Research for Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, has been named chair of the department. She will assume this new role July 1.

Melissa Duff named chair of Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences

Last Updated: 6/2/2025 8:55:57 AM

VKC Member Beth Malow was recently awarded the Pat Edmiston Leadership in Advocacy Award by the Tennessee Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder in recognition of her outstanding advocacy and contributions to improving the lives of individuals with autism in Tennessee.

Beth Malow receives Patricia Edmiston Leadership in Advocacy Award

Last Updated: 5/6/2025 1:02:29 PM

Sunil Kripalani, MD, MSc, professor of Medicine in the Section of Hospital Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Public Health at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, was elected a Master in Hospital Medicine (MHM) by the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) during its recent annual meeting.

Sunil Kripalani recognized for leadership, innovation in field of hospital medicine

Last Updated: 5/1/2025 2:45:50 PM

What is Project ECHO and How Could It Be Useful to Me?

Last Updated: 4/28/2025 11:03:45 AM

The Firefly Program was established after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, through the Maternal Opioid Misuse model in partnership with TennCare, provided funds for women with substance use disorder and their children.

Neurodevelopmental care initiative supports infants and young children exposed to opioids in utero

Last Updated: 4/24/2025 11:28:05 AM

Vacation planning can be overwhelming, but for families with children on the spectrum, the process is often even more complex. USA TODAY asked experts for their recommendations ahead of the busy summer travel season.

Planning starts months ahead: What traveling with autistic kids looks like

Last Updated: 4/22/2025 2:11:36 PM

Stop, Zigzag, Repeat [Art Exhibit]

Stop, Zigzag, Repeat [Art Exhibit]

Last Updated: 4/11/2025 2:00:13 PM

Neuronal Recruitment in the Temporal Lobes of Young Children

Neuronal Recruitment in the Temporal Lobes of Young Children

Last Updated: 4/10/2025 12:54:44 PM

Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers, as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) network, have reported an increase in the number of children in Tennessee and the U.S. with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

VUMC researchers report the number of children with autism in Tennessee has doubled in the past decade

Last Updated: 4/7/2025 1:10:35 PM

Lisa M. Monteggia and Matthew J. Tyska are among the 471 scientists, engineers and innovators who have been recognized for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements by the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science family of journals.

Monteggia, Tyska named fellows by the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Last Updated: 3/31/2025 8:45:43 AM

Laurie E. Cutting, a pioneering educational neuroscientist devoted to unlocking the mysteries of brain function in learning, has been named the 2025 SEC Faculty Achievement Award winner from Vanderbilt University.

Cognitive neuroscientist Laurie Cutting wins SEC Faculty Achievement Award

Last Updated: 3/31/2025 8:42:37 AM

In two recent studies, TBI was associated with difficulties in remembering spoken language and integrating information in gesture with speech.

Vanderbilt research discovers new brain injury impairments to everyday communication skills

Last Updated: 3/25/2025 9:28:22 AM

The scholarship, with funds provided by Vanderbilt University, will support students in the Next Steps at Vanderbilt program. Based in Peabody College of education and human development, Next Steps is a four-year, postsecondary certificate program for neurodiverse students.

New scholarship opens doors for neurodiverse learners

Last Updated: 3/5/2025 1:46:55 PM

Multidisciplinary Approaches for Challenging Behavior

Multidisciplinary Approaches for Challenging Behavior

Last Updated: 2/25/2025 4:02:28 PM

Educate to Advocate Virtual Public Policy Workshop

Educate to Advocate Virtual Public Policy Workshop

Last Updated: 1/29/2025 3:35:19 PM

On Jan. 14, President Biden awarded nearly 400 scientists and engineers the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers. Among the awardees were six Vanderbilt faculty members and three alumni: Jessica Ancker, Erin Calipari, You Chen, Maithilee Kunda, Eric Tkaczyk, Steve Townsend, Lauren Brinkley-Rubenstein, MS’11, PhD’15, Rachel Carter, PhD’17, and Keersten Ricks, PhD’15.

Faculty members and alumni recognized by the White House for the Presidential Early Career Award

Last Updated: 1/27/2025 8:58:39 AM

Two Vanderbilt faculty members are among the 23 recipients of the 2024 National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation—the nation’s highest honors for exemplary achievement and leadership in science and technology.

VKC Member Stassun awarded National Medal of Science at White House

Last Updated: 1/14/2025 10:15:48 AM

This is Us [Art Exhibit]

This is Us [Art Exhibit]

Last Updated: 1/8/2025 9:37:05 AM

In a groundbreaking study published Nov. 21 in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, researchers have uncovered significant genetic connections between human language abilities and musical rhythm skills, providing new insights into the biological underpinnings of these fundamental human traits.

Vanderbilt scientists discover shared genetic foundations between musical rhythm and human language

Last Updated: 12/5/2024 2:32:02 PM

The Vanderbilt Department of Pediatrics continues to grow its class of members elected to the American Pediatric Society (APS) with four new inductees for 2025.

Julie Lounds Taylor elected to American Pediatric Society

Last Updated: 11/20/2024 2:10:06 PM

VKC TRIAD: Celebrating 25 Years of Research, Training, and Service

VKC TRIAD: Celebrating 25 Years of Research, Training, and Service

Last Updated: 10/30/2024 11:45:56 AM

In the bustling labs of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, Professor Richard Sando’s enthusiasm for neuroscience is palpable. His eyes light up as he discusses the intricacies of synapses and neural circuits. It is hard to imagine that this same man once received a D-minus in his high school AP Biology class.

Passion, Perseverance and Synapses: Neuroscientist Richard Sando receives prestigious NIH New Innovator Award

Last Updated: 10/22/2024 12:38:58 PM

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center held its 15th annual VKC Science Day on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Vanderbilt University’s Student Life Center. More than 100 undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and faculty members showcased their work among fellow colleagues across Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

2024 Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Science Day winners announced

Last Updated: 10/16/2024 11:47:40 AM

AbleVoices Hall of PHame! [Art Exhibit]

AbleVoices Hall of PHame! [Art Exhibit]

Last Updated: 10/3/2024 3:28:42 PM

Vanderbilt University professor and astronomer Keivan Stassun was named among the 2024 MacArthur Fellows, a prestigious honor that comes with an $800,000 grant that each fellow can spend however they see fit.

Vanderbilt professor Keivan Stassun receives prestigious $800K MacArthur fellowship grant

Last Updated: 10/2/2024 2:55:44 PM

Children with autism are more likely than their typically developing peers to engage in challenging behavior, which can lead to injury, lower rates of social inclusion, and adverse effects on learning.

Lambert leads efforts to design VR training for educators of students with autism

Last Updated: 9/23/2024 4:44:57 PM

Lubinski was one of two senior researchers awarded during the annual presentation.

Lubinski awarded Mensa Foundation Award for Excellence in Research

Last Updated: 9/11/2024 9:37:24 AM

During pregnancy, the body undergoes dramatic physical changes. However, how brain structure and function change is not well understood.

Humphreys leads study on brain changes during pregnancy and potential effects on mental health

Last Updated: 9/5/2024 10:12:22 AM

More than 30% of children with permanent hearing loss have additional disabilities. A timely diagnosis of reduced hearing and access to appropriate interventions can maximize developmental outcomes.

Children with developmental disabilities less likely to receive gold-standard hearing assessment

Last Updated: 8/28/2024 11:17:00 AM

The Department of Labor awarded Next Steps at Vanderbilt University a $2,324,851 grant to expand its innovative registered apprenticeship offerings.

Next Steps at Vanderbilt University program secures $2.32M Department of Labor grant

Last Updated: 8/13/2024 10:10:11 AM

His NIH-supported clinical neuroscience research program concentrates on late-life depression, focusing on neurobiological factors influencing acute and long-term outcomes.

Warren Taylor appointed vice-chair for Research in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Last Updated: 8/8/2024 12:50:23 PM

Carol and her late husband Robert Henderson were instrumental in establishing the Britt Henderson Training Series for Educators.

VKC mourns the loss of Britt Henderson Training Series co-founder Carol Henderson

Last Updated: 8/6/2024 2:41:07 PM

A target of their investigations is serotonin, a signaling molecule that is well known for its critical roles in regulating mood and which also plays an important role in the development of the brain and nervous system.

Study sheds new light on autism, but there’s more work to be done

Last Updated: 8/1/2024 3:58:09 PM

The burning sensation you feel in your mouth when you sip alcohol has a name: oral chemesthesis. Understanding this sensation better could lead to new treatments for alcohol use disorders, but research in this area is scarce.

Prestigious $1.3M Keck grant boosts research on alcohol detection, aiding alcohol use disorder treatment

Last Updated: 7/29/2024 8:57:51 AM