Ph.D. Requirements and Resources
Graduate students will encounter many challenges and stresses as they pursue their dissertation research. The progress made from ‘successful’ experiments can feel inadequate compared to the number of ‘failed’ experiments one has to endure. In addition, unanticipated life or external events can be further cause for disruption – and such patterns can put significant strains on the mental health and wellness of a student. It is important to recognize that successful management of, and increased resiliency to, stress is a combination of a student’s awareness of their state, the support and resources provided by their advisor and laboratory, and the support and resources of the Biochemistry Graduate Program and the greater Vanderbilt institutional resources available.
Students should be aware of the following resources:
One point of contact for a student is their primary mentor. Other contacts within the department are the Biochemistry Program Manager, DGS, and Department Chair. They are available to help advise and direct students to additional resources.
The BRET office maintains a Graduate Student Resource web page (https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/bret/graduate-resources/) that provides up-to- date links to school- or university-wide resources for students seeking more information about wellness, counseling, and urgent concern services and contacts. The Biochemistry website, under Information for Current Students, contains additional information on the services of the University Counseling Center, the Center for Student Wellbeing, and the Project Safe-Center for Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response.
The Office of Student Care Coordination, part of the Student Care Network at Vanderbilt, is a point of contact for students who may have an academic, personal, emotional, medical, and/or other concern. Student Care Coordinators individually assess each student’s needs and explore resources within Vanderbilt’s Student Care Network and/or the Nashville community to facilitate connections to the most appropriate supports.
The University Counseling Center maintains counseling services that can be accessed through the Office of Student Care Coordination.
Finally, the BSA has a Wellness committee whose mission is to organize events throughout the academic calendar that focus on community, boosting morale, and empowering Biochemistry graduate students to develop self-awareness, stress management, and mental resiliency skills. Moreover, the Wellness committee is a peer-level support group that can help inform students of the wellness and counseling resources that are available.
University Counseling Center
The University Counseling Center is a central part of Vanderbilt’s Student Care Network – the holistic network of resources and support services available to all students in support of their health and wellness.
The University Counseling Center offers services to all Vanderbilt students including crisis and trauma-informed care, short-term individual counseling, group psychotherapy (process and skill-building), psychiatric services, LD/ADHD assessment, alcohol and drug evaluations/counseling, biofeedback, and community outreach. Visit theStudent Services page to learn more about the services offered at the UCC.
The UCC also functions as a training facility. Each academic year, graduate practicum students, pre-doctoral interns, and post-doctoral fellows train at the UCC. They receive supervision from our staff of licensed psychologists, social workers, and professional counselors.
New appointments for UCC services, including for therapy and medication management, are managed through theOffice of Student Care Coordination (OSCC). After completion of an intake form, the Care Coordinators at the OSCC will assess a student’s needs in an in-person or telephone meeting and connect them to the most appropriate resources (including the University Counseling Center) to meet those needs.
Center for Student Wellbeing
The mission of the Center for Student Wellbeing is to create a culture that supports the personal development and academic success of students using an integrative, holistic framework.
Project Safe-Center for Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response
The mission of the Project Safe Center is to provide information, support, referrals, and education about sexual and intimate partner violence (including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking), as well as consent, healthy relationships, and healthy sexuality to the Vanderbilt University community. Project Safe serves as a central resource for those impacted by power-based personal violence and can assist with navigating the University’s resource and support network (including the University Counseling Center, Student Health, the Equal Employment, Affirmative Action and Disability Services Department, and the Vanderbilt University Police Department) as well as external support and law enforcement resources.
In 2017, Vanderbilt University was recognized by the Campus Prevention Network with its Prevention Excellence Award, in recognition for Vanderbilt’s demonstrated commitment to the highest standards in sexual assault prevention.
Dr. Roger Chalkley Critical Need Fund
In recognition of Roger Chalkley, retired senior associate dean for biomedical research education and training, Dr. Tom Daniel, a former Vanderbilt professor, biotechnology R&D leader, and venture investor, has established the Dr. Roger Chalkley Critical Need Fund to support biomedical graduate students who encounter unanticipated financial challenges. Examples of what the fund will support include, but are not limited to:
- Travel funds for family emergencies
- Unexpected major car repairs
- Unexpected healthcare costs not covered by health insurance.
- Temporary housing assistance in the event of a natural disaster.
