A memorial service is being held April 12 by the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology in honor of former faculty member Vivien Casagrande, who died Jan. 21 at the age of 74.
On the Vanderbilt faculty since 1975, she was a research professor of cell and developmental biology, professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, and professor of psychology. She also was a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center investigator.
The memorial will be April 12 in Benton Chapel at 4 p.m., followed by a reception at which individuals may share stories about Casagrande and view photographs.
Casagrande’s studies have mapped the visual brain circuitry in a variety of species and have advanced understanding of the development and evolution of the mammalian visual system. CDB hosted “A Lifetime of Vision,” a symposium honoring Casagrande’s contributions to science, in November 2016. See tributes and video stream of the symposium here.
Originally from Massachusetts, Casagrande earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and her Ph.D. from Duke University. She is survived by her husband, James Andrew (Mac) McKanna, two sons, a sister and extended family. Her obituary may be viewed here.
Contact: Susan Walker, (615) 875-5565
