Stories by Amy Wolf
Vanderbilt University's motto, Crescere aude, is Latin for dare to grow. Each student has a unique passion and perspective on how to live out this motto. The members of the Class of 2024 highlighted below are pursuing unique interests with a strong vision to advance research and discovery, improve communities and help make the world better.
The concept that "science is not finished until it is communicated" is a mantra Kaitlyn Browning is making the foundation of the next chapter of her life. It's a philosophy that will have the Ph.D. candidate in biochemistry from the School of Medicine Basic Sciences working in the lab and in front of lawmakers and other political influencers.
"A lot of misunderstanding and misinformation is because scientists don't always effectively communicate their discoveries. I would love to be at that interface between the scientists innovating and discovering, and then the government officials deciding on our priorities," said the Hillsborough, North Carolina, native.
Browning specifically studies how bacteria evolves and mutates and how that ties to the growing epidemic of antibiotic resistance. "Instead of just creating new antibiotics, I want to help address the bigger issue of antibiotic resistance," she said.
HOW KAITLYN SEES "DARE TO GROW"
"When I think of dare to grow, I think it's a challenge-it's daring the students to grow and do something meaningful," she said. "You know, you play that game, truth or dare. The word dare is an action and I love that. That is the challenge that is presented to every single student at Vanderbilt. We dare you to grow. We dare you to meet your potential, to do great things because we know that you can. That's the culture of Vanderbilt."
