Nine Vanderbilt University faculty members named to endowed chairs were honored for their academic achievements during a celebration Jan. 22 at the Student Life Center.

Colleen Niswender, Ph.D., research associate professor of Pharmacology, has received a three-year, $450,000 grant from the autism science and advocacy organization Autism Speaks to support studies investigating a possible new treatment for Rett syndrome.

Ron Vale, Ph.D., Lasker Award winner and co-discoverer of the molecular “motor” kinesin, will give the next Flexner Discovery Lecture at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, in 208 Light Hall.

Vanderbilt University researchers have discovered a “backdoor” approach to blocking an enzyme that fuels the growth of glioblastoma, the most common and most fatal form of brain cancer.

Krassimira Garbett, Ph.D., Patricia “Cookie” Minton, R.N., and Kent Shaddox are the recipients of the 2013 Research Staff Awards at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Beyond genetics — that’s the call Oliver McDonald, M.D., Ph.D., heard during the year between college and medical school he spent in a lab at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.