Contact Us

Chair
David K. Cortez, Ph.D.
Hortense B. Ingram Professor of Cancer Research
Professor of Biochemistry
Associate Director for Basic Science Research at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
607 Light Hall
Nashville, Tennessee 37205-0146
Tel: (615) 343-4458
david.cortez@vanderbilt.edu

Executive Assistant to the Chair
Jen Smith
607 Light Hall
Nashville, Tennessee 37205-0146
Tel: 615-343-4458
j.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu

Director of Graduate Studies
Douglas Kojetin, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry
Co-leader of the VICC Genome Maintenance Program
842/846 Robinson Research Building
Tel: 615-343-2841
douglas.kojetin@vanderbilt.edu

Program Assistant
Lisa Evans
607 Light Hall
Nashville, Tennessee 37205-0146
lisa.evans@vanderbilt.edu

SOMBS FIRM Website

SOMBS: Surplus Request Form

 For questions about the form, please contact @FIRM VBS

Surplussing Instructions: 

• FIRM wants us to use the portal to enter all surplussing requests, so they can arrange for removal as appropriate
• FIRM is planning to establish quarterly surplussing with movers.
• Surplussing is the responsibility of and will be communicated by individual labs, with the main dept office available for guidance.
• If any item is high dollar or has an asset tag on it, Diane Denson will be involved in equipment tracking (for tax purposes).
• If contaminated, will need to be appropriately cleaned & have biohazard form attached to item being hauled off.
• If computer or e-waste, check with FIRM to see if the Basic Sciences IT team can surplus the item. Must be cognizant of any data which may be stored on it, security concerns. Do NOT leave e-waste in the hallways.
• If it’s something really small and/or non-hazardous, may be able to directly dispose of items into the regular trash.
• If it’s something LARGE, we’ll need to coordinate with FIRM to have movers come get it and take to surplus.

Capital Assets and SOMBS Surplus FAQ:

• What happens to the online form once completed? A confirmation email will be sent and FIRM will be notified of the new submission. The submission will be added to the list for pickup.
• Will a representative from FIRM schedule a pickup time of the item? FIRM will arrange a quarterly pick up of all items on their list. Specific pickup times will not be given due to rescheduling purposes.
• Should you place equipment in the hall for pickup? Do not place any equipment in the hall for pickup. Please clearly identify the equipment with a clear photo and description when submitting your form.
• Should you put a printout of your surplus form on the item in your lab? No need to place a printout of the form on the item if the form is filled out correctly.
  
• Will SOMBS IT team retrieve e-waste? Yes. Any e-waste can be submitted through the same online form. You will need to remove the hard drive prior to pickup.
• Will FIRM retrieve items that require disinfecting? Yes. Any items that need disinfecting can be submitted through the same online form. The form must be attached to the item once disinfection in complete. Please note that FIRM does not handle the disinfecting of lab equipment.
• How does this affect the “new protocol for capital asset form” procedure? Before (FIRM) proceeds with scheduling any item for pick up, Josh Luffman will assess all items for remaining net value. This might delay your item being disposed of since a Property Transmittal Form will be needed.

How-tos for Travel Expense Items and Reports
Checklist for booking Guest Travel
FAQs for issues that cause the most confusion on expense reports.

Travel and One Card Policies:
Expense https://finance.vanderbilt.edu/policies/Travel_and_Business_Expense_Policy.pdf
One Card https://finance.vanderbilt.edu/policies/One_Card_Policy.pdf

Did you know that Environmental Health and Safety offers a service of assisting lab members who are mailing chemicals, domestic or international? There are often special forms or container requirements and our EHS team keeps up to date on these rules. They can help!

• Contact EHS at VUBiosafety@vanderbilt.edu per https://www.vanderbilt.edu/ehs/contact/

As of summer 2025, our senior safety officer for biological safety is Kyle Becker (615-343-8363), kyle.becker@vanderbilt.edu

FedEx Deliveries: 

If you are in a VUMC-owned building and have trouble receiving a FedEx package or need to coordinate with central receiving on critical/temperature sensitive shipments, please see the following website for information: https://www.vumc.org/oor/research-administration

If you cannot resolve FedEx delivery into VUMC building issues on your own, then please contact Susan Meyn (s.meyn@vumc.org) and Mary Heath (mary.k.heath@vanderbilt.edu). They may be able to assist.