Atlee Witt
Atlee
Witt
Atlee Witt is a 4th year MD-PhD candidate at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine originally from Denver, Colorado. Atlee graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2020 with majors in Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society. She is currently a member of the Chemical and Physical Biology Department in Dr. Seth Smith’s lab at the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science using novel imaging techniques to investigate neurodegenerative conditions like multiple sclerosis in the human spinal cord. In the future, she hopes to pursue a radiology residency and looks forward to learning more about the application of imaging techniques in mummified populations. In her free time, Atlee enjoys hiking, yoga, and playing with her tuxedo cat, Fig!
H5N1 Avian Influenza
H5N1
Avian Influenza
The Vanderbilt Vaccine Center is currently looking for Healthy Adults ≥ 18years of age who have been infected with H5N1 for a study to better understand how the body responds to the virus.
Study participation will require 1 clinic visit with 1 blood draw. Volunteers will be compensated for their time and participation.
Savannah Keating
Savannah
Keating
MS
Graduate Student
savannah.g.keating@Vanderbilt.Edu
Savannah (she/her/hers) graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2023 with majors in Biological Sciences and Anthropology. She earned her Master's degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2024. She is a PhD student in PMI and will be working with Dr. Van Schaik and Dr. Crowe on examining health over time with specific interests in osteoimmunology and paleopathology.
Luiz Minardi
Luiz
Minardi
Associate Financial Analyst
Luiz Minardi is an Associate Financial Analyst for the VUMC Vaccine Center with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Luiz brings his passion for finance to support VUMC’s research initiatives aimed at making a positive impact on the world. With his free time, Luiz enjoys being outdoors and watching soccer, and with a deep love for learning, Luiz seeks to further his education in the financial field to strengthen his contributions to the Vaccine Center.
luiz.minardi@vumc.org
Stacey Herman
Stacey
Herman
Business Process Manager
Stacey Herman has 11 years of experience in a hospital setting both in a military hospital as a Pharmacy Journeyman and as a civilian Business Manager. Most recently she was with Texas A&M University as a Business Administrator. She is motivated by learning new things and enjoys the day-to-day challenges of making processes and procedures run smoothly so faculty may focus on their important work. Her goal is to assist however she can with providing support to the team to help them succeed.
stacey.herman@vumc.org
Seungweon Park
Seungweon
Park
Seungweon Park is a 4th year medical student at Vanderbilt University. She grew up in Honolulu, and has lived in Northern Virginia, Boston, and most recently Nashville. Seungweon majored in both Biology and Brain/Cognitive Sciences at MIT and is now hopefully on the way to Diagnostic Radiology residency in the near future!
At MIT, she was involved in research investigating novel treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease and a project on the neural networks of feeding mechanisms in C. elegans. Seungweon is interested in learning about and participating in research for novel technologies that aim to integrate AI in streamlining processes for radiologists. Outside of research, you can find Seungweon on the undergraduate campus mentoring premedical students, volunteering on Shade Tree Free Clinic’s executive board, or lifting weights at the Vanderbilt gym!
Timeless Health Secrets From Roman Gladiators to AI
Dr. Grant Cooper and Dr. Zinovy Meyler host Dr. Katherine D. Van Schaik on the Performance Initiative Podcast to discuss her book, 'How to Be Healthy: An Ancient Guide to Wellness,' and the influential ancient physician Galen. The conversation explores Galen’s impact on modern medical practices, his philosophical approach to holistic health, and historical medical practices of ancient Rome. Key topics include exercise, diet, mental well-being, pain management, and the risks of surgery in ancient times. They also examine maternal and infant mortality, social consequences of childbirth, and the overall experience of illness in ancient homes. The dialogue considers the integration of AI in medicine, empathy in human experience, and the enduring relevance of classical texts in today’s world.
Nick Xing
Nick
Xing
I'm a rising junior majoring in computer science and applied mathematics. I’m deeply interested in computer science-related interdisciplinary projects. Working with another student researcher under the guidance of Dr. Katherine Van Schaik this summer, I’m analyzing the mummies data to examine the physical states and illness among mummies using image processing and programming techniques. During my spare time, I enjoyed playing basketball and billiard ball with my friends; furthermore, I also enjoyed the time I usually spent in the Centennial Park each Sunday afternoon.