Career Outcomes

Undergraduate Alumni Stories

Ananya Sharma ’19

Molecular & Cellular Biology, Honors in Women’s and Gender Studies

Third year medical student at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

“Studying in the Department of Biological Sciences provided me with an opportunity to engage in scientific inquiry and exploration during the formative stages of my career. I had the privilege to work in the Bordenstein lab during three years of my undergraduate training, where I learned to grow as a student, researcher, and scientist. My research experience drove me to medicine, a field constantly evolving and growing as a result of exponential scientific discoveries. Through research I kindled a sense of scientific curiosity that continues to influence my future career goals. I am thankful to the faculty and staff in the Department of BioScience, who provided the quality education and support necessary for me to get to where I am today.”

Isaac Bakis ’21

Neuroscience; Research Assistant, Weill Cornell Medicine

“Vanderbilt’s Department of Biological Sciences taught me how to effectively obtain and apply new knowledge. I felt that classes such as Introduction to Biology, Biochemistry, and Biological Statistics encouraged me to develop a conceptual understanding of the material rather than just memorizing the facts, formulas, and equations behind it. BioScience’s focus on conceptual knowledge boosted my critical thinking skills and helped me immensely in my neuroscience classes and research in Dr. Laurence Zwiebel’s laboratory. Now, as a research assistant in a regenerative cardiology laboratory, I find it a lot easier to acquire, understand, and utilize new scientific knowledge.”

Zackery Ely ’18

Molecular & Cellular Biology; Outstanding Research in Biological Sciences award 

Student in Ph.D. program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

“My experience at Vanderbilt was fantastic and transformative. I will always remember fully realizing my love for science when I started in the College of Arts and Sciences and took my first course in biology. That course, like many that followed it, was extremely well-taught by fascinating and thoughtful professors, who often take a real interest in their students’ questions, ideas, and careers. Beyond the great curriculum, I learned immensely from my undergrad research experience in Dr. Rokas’ Lab. In the lab, I learned a wide range of computational research skills that I still use in my PhD research years later. In both the lab and the department, I was surrounded by wonderful mentors who guided me as I developed research skills, applied to scholarships and new opportunities, and ultimately laid the foundation for an exciting research career.”