Vanderbilt faculty joined United for Medical Research’s MyWHY campaign by answering a simple but powerful question: Why is medical research important to you? Their stories revealed the people, experiences and motivations behind their work, all while underscoring the role funding from the National Institutes of Health plays in every breakthrough.
The MyWHY campaign highlights the human side of biomedical science, showing that behind every discovery is a person with a reason why they care. Seven Vanderbilt researchers contributed their own perspectives, linking their personal journeys to the broader impact of NIH-supported research. Their accounts demonstrated how federal investment fuels innovation, supports the next generation of scientists and improves health across communities.
Read their stories:
Steven Townsend
Professor of Chemistry
“Because when I was an NIH-supported scholar, I learned that the treatment my mom was undergoing for breast cancer was developed by NIH-supported researchers. Today, she is a 12-year cancer survivor.”
Todd Graham
Professor of Biological Sciences
“Because I have had a front row seat to the remarkable progress in science and medicine made possible by the extraordinary investment of U.S. taxpayers.”
Ken Lau
Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology
“Because I believe my research has the power to change lives.”
Bill Tansey
Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology
“Because biomedical research is one of the greatest natural resources we have in this country."
Erin Calipari
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
“Because drug addiction is one of the biggest economic problems in our country. It kills more people than any other disease every year, and there is no cure for it.”
Neil Osheroff
Professor of Biochemistry
“Because, as a researcher and teacher, science doesn’t just play a role in my life, it is my life. I live, eat, and breathe being a scientist.”
Kirsty Clark
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Health and Society
“Because I have dedicated my career to two urgent questions: Why do young people die by suicide? And how can we prevent it?”
UMR is a coalition of leading research institutions, patient and health advocates and private industry seeking steady and sustainable increases in funding for the National Institutes of Health in order to save and improve lives, advance innovation and fuel the economy. Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations represents the university as an active member of UMR, adding its voice to national efforts to demonstrate the value of NIH-funded research. This campaign highlights the people and stories behind medical breakthroughs at a time when proposed budget cuts to the NIH put future progress at risk.
“Medical research is possible because of the significant investment American taxpayers make through the NIH, and Vanderbilt faculty are showing how that support translates into real-world impact,” said Associate Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations Christina West, who serves on UMR’s Board of Directors. “Their stories showcase why continued robust federal investment in biomedical research matters.”
Behind every breakthrough is a story and a reason why it matters. To explore the MyWHY report and more personal accounts from other researchers across the country, visit UMR’s MyWHY webpage.