Aspirnaut Archive — Page 2 of 2

Eighteen high school students and 16 college undergraduates participated in the Aspirnaut program this summer. Program co-founders Billy Hudson, PhD, and Julie Hudson, MD, MA, are at far left and right. Fourth from right, back row, is Aspirnaut alumna Lauren Taylor, from Grapevine, Arkansas, who participated in the inaugural Aspirnaut program 15 years ago — a broadband internet-equipped school bus the Hudsons dubbed their “mobile one-room schoolhouse,” which enabled students to log into science and math lessons during their long bus rides to and from school.
August 3, 2022

Science career “pipeline” garners national attention

Vanderbilt’s Aspirnaut STEM pipeline for diversity and wellness recently celebrated its 15th anniversary with a daylong scientific symposium, followed by a feature on the program broadcast Aug. 2 on NBC Nightly News.

By Bill Snyder
Three students in white lab coats conduct laboratory research at a bench, using pipettes and other equipment in a science lab.
August 29, 2019

Aspirnaut education program reaches decade mark

Ten years on, a unique summer research program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center designed primarily for rural high school students with limited resources is achieving its goal of increasing the number of the nation’s scientists and engineers.

By Bill Snyder
A group gathers around an unveiled portrait showing a woman in red surrounded by students; an older man embraces a woman in red while attendees watch and applaud.
July 16, 2015

Aspirnaut event details impact of art in science

Students watched, transfixed, for nearly an hour last Friday as internationally known portrait artist Igor Babailov sketched Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

By Bill Snyder
Two people pose on a curved staircase with black railings; one sits in front wearing glasses and a colorful necklace, while the other stands behind in a dark coat.
April 22, 2014

Class of 2014: Domonique Bragg and Cody Stothers are Aspirnaut pioneers

Seniors Domonique Bragg and Cody Stothers, who both hail from rural Arkansas, followed a similar path to Vanderbilt.

Silhouettes showing a progression from a crouched ape-like figure to an upright walking human against a green background.
December 19, 2013

Ancient chemical bond may aid cancer therapy: study

A chemical bond discovered by Vanderbilt University scientists that is essential for animal life and which hastened the “dawn of the animal kingdom” could lead to new therapies for cancer and other diseases.

By Bill Snyder
Older man with gray hair and glasses wearing a burgundy shirt, photographed outdoors against a blurred green background.
December 6, 2012

Hudson lands top award from matrix biology group

Billy Hudson, Ph.D., an internationally known expert on kidney diseases at Vanderbilt University, is the recipient of the 2012 Senior Investigator Award from the American Society for Matrix Biology (ASMB) — its highest honor.

By Bill Snyder