From inkling to innovation.
From the first question that sparks an idea, to the 10th year of uncovering answers, each step of the research process is essential. Explore Vanderbilt research from the initial ideas to the groundbreaking discoveries, bustling projects and final products.
See our process in action
Together, Vanderbilt faculty and students work toward breakthrough discoveries that help us understand our world and change it for the better. The process can take years—or decades—and be full of false starts and setbacks. But we persist, because we know our work can ignite progress for you. Follow the phases of a project, and the impact it can make, in these Vanderbilt research stories.
Flying sucks. But it doesn’t have to.
Lost baggage. Shrinking legroom. Out-of-the-blue delays and cancellations. If you’ve flown recently, chances are you’ve experienced the common perils of commercial air travel. But it wasn’t always this way—and a Vanderbilt research group is pushing for change.
The War on Bacteria
Every research project starts with a question: an idea, a need and sometimes a challenge. The challenge brought to Vanderbilt biochemistry researchers? Test and create a new antibiotic that cures painful infections. Scroll to see how they fought this battle in the war on harmful bacteria.
Cleaning up a toxic legacy, clearing the way for a safer future.
Leftover waste from defunct nuclear testing sites poses a danger to people and the environment. Meet the Vanderbilt experts who help dispose of radioactive waste and develop new anti-contamination methods for our country.
For the builders and defenders
Fort Negley, a key Nashville Civil War site, was set for destruction by developers. Vanderbilt scholar Angela Sutton worked with Black community leaders to save it, and in the process helped create a database to preserve the stories of descendants of the fort’s legacy.
Putting lawmakers to the test
A Vanderbilt-University of Virginia collaboration measures our representatives’ performance.