For new students and new professors, life is a journey built on dreams, hard work and experiences that (hopefully) lead to wisdom. Vanderbilt welcomed 83 new faculty to our 12 schools and colleges for the 2026-27 academic year. As these professors start their chapter here, we asked them to share some of their own wisdom in response to the question, "What advice would you give your younger self or to others?"
Satadisha Saha Bhowmick
Assistant professor of the practice
College of Connected Computing
Research focus: data science
Satadisha Saha Bhowmick's research focuses on developing advanced AI systems to help computers translate and "understand" human language, especially that of social media posts and comments.
"The most exciting thing about working in an evolving field like machine learning/data science is that you simply never run out of inspiration and things to learn. Also the possibilities of this area of study being applied to solve real problems are endless and ever expanding," she said. "That pushes you to find and answer new questions."
Bhowmick has also earned a doctor of philosophy and she loves studying history and writing fiction.
"Never apologize for who you are, and allow yourself to make mistakes. But kindness is non-negotiable." -Satadisha Saha Bhowmick
Eva Karasmanis
Assistant professor of biological sciences and of physics and astronomy
College of Arts and Science
Research focus: biophysics and cell biology
Eva Karasmanis leads a biophysics lab that tries to figure out how to fight various diseases by studying the physical principles that govern how cells organize, move and exchange material.
"Cells function much like cities, with intricate delivery systems that ensure molecular cargo arrives at the right place and right time-a process essential to cell physiology. When these systems break down, the consequences are serious: Defects in intracellular transport underlie diseases ranging from neurodegeneration to cancer. I want to understand how these systems work at the molecular level, what drives them, how they're regulated and what goes wrong in disease," she said. "Plus, I love microscopy! It's a real thrill to peer into a living cell and watch motor-cargo complexes zoom around in real time!"
Karasmanis was drawn to Vanderbilt because of its collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment that offers the freedom to take risks.
"Go for it, even when you don't feel 'good enough.' Most people are just figuring it out as they go. You belong, and you're more capable than you think." -Eva Karasmanis
Katharine Santilena
Senior lecturer in medicine, health and society
College of Arts and Science
Research focus: digital technologies and generative AI for health promotion and health messaging
Katharine Santilena teaches graduate-level courses focused on improving health in the age of social media.
"What I find especially interesting is the interdisciplinary nature of this work," she said. "By drawing on insights from fields such as communication, marketing and behavior science, we can develop more resonant, effective and innovative approaches to promoting health and wellness."
Vanderbilt's motto of "dare to grow" resonates with Santilena.
"I recently came across a quote: 'If it makes you equally excited and nervous, it's probably your next move.' Growth happens when we step beyond our comfort zones, embrace new challenges and remain open to learning," she said.
This philosophy ties into the wisdom she shared.
"If I could give my younger self advice, I would say to trust in the process, as everything happens for a reason. You may not always understand why things happen in the moment, but every challenge, opportunity and unexpected turn is shaping you into the person you're meant to become." -Katharine Santilena
Patrick DeGuira
Senior lecturer in art
College of Arts and Science
Research focus: painting, sculpture, photography
Patrick DeGuira is a painter, sculptor, photographer, writer and curator.
"A goal of my teaching is to link art concepts to other fields like science, math, history and social studies," he said. "Exposure to art, in my opinion, has a profound impact on our worldview. Students who participate in art courses engage in a distinctive kind of language that connects logical and linear questions with nonlinear and free-associative creative acts."
"Travel and hike more. Go ahead and purchase a piece of land. And be a better listener." -Patrick DeGuira
Shaina Munin
Senior lecturer in psychology
College of Arts and Science
Research focus: role of emotion in social interactions
Shaina Munin is a social psychologist teaching foundational undergraduate courses in general psychology, as well as electives in social and personality psychology.
"Psychology is exciting because it constantly informs our daily experiences," she said. "For instance, research in my home area of social psychology examines ways to navigate uncomfortable conversations, build more fulfilling close relationships and bridge divides in an increasingly polarized society."
"In the words of Ted Lasso, be curious, not judgmental." -Shaina Munin
Allison Leich Hilbun
Senior lecturer in biological sciences
College of Arts and Science
Research focus: quantitative bioscience
Allison Leich Hilbun teaches biostatistics courses and introductory biology courses. Her research is in quantitative bioscience and analyzing data looking for patterns showing various health conditions.
"Teaching statistical methods in biology is a powerful experience in building a bridge over tumultuous waves of uncertainty from theory to evidence," she said.
"Self-honesty is as vital as honesty to everyone else." -Allison Leich Hilbun
Timothy Darrah
Research assistant
Institute for Convergent Software Integrated Systems
School of Engineering
Research focus: generative AI and data science
Timothy Darrah's research interests involve what he calls the "green field of agentic engineering." Agentic engineering is a software development approach where humans are the architects and AI agents perform the coding, testing and execution tasks. He is the co-founder and CEO of Mangrove, a financial technology company that builds AI tools and risk-management dashboards.
"My research interests are in developing new methodologies for memory management, self-awareness and metacognition for AI agents. It is my belief that addressing the foundational structure we build AI systems on will address many of the issues we see today with hallucinations, not following instructions or bypassing rules," Darrah said.
Darrah's wisdom for future generations ties into his financial and data science backgrounds.
"Invest early, in yourself and your financial future. Growth compounds, in our knowledge and our wallet. Start investing early, invest consistently and let time do its job." -Timothy Darrah
Gen Li
Assistant professor of chemistry
College of Arts and Science
Research focus: organic chemistry, chemical biology
Gen Li's lab focuses on developing chemical strategies to manipulate biomolecular structure, reactivity and signaling in living systems. This creates new approaches to control complex biological processes and advance chemical biology, medicinal chemistry and translational research.
"What inspires me most about chemistry is its ability to turn fundamental molecular understanding into practical ways to study and control complex biological systems," he said. "I am especially excited by the interface of organic chemistry and chemical biology, where a carefully designed reaction, catalyst or molecular probe can reveal processes that are otherwise invisible inside living cells."
"Be patient with yourself. Meaningful growth often takes more time than you expect." -Gen Li
Maren Young
Senior lecturer in economics
College of Arts and Science
Research focus: behavioral economics
Maren Young is a behavioral and applied microeconomist whose research examines how social norms and identity shape attitudes and preferences. For example, she looks at how the gender and age of survey interviewers affect respondents' answers to specific types of survey questions.
"What inspires me most is helping students see that economics is not just about abstract models, but about asking clear questions and using evidence to better understand the world around them," she said.
Young believes adaptability and growth go hand in hand, and that includes seeking help.
"I would tell my younger self not to be afraid to fail, and to ask for help when I need it," she said. "We can achieve so much more when we are willing to accept support in the face of a challenge, rather than repeatedly trying to face everything alone. Learning to seek help is not a sign of weakness; it is often what allows us to grow, improve and keep moving forward." -Maren Young
Shao-Heng Ko
Assistant professor of the practice
College of Connected Computing
Research focus: computing education
Shao-Heng Ko examines how learners interact with learning environments, with the ultimate goal of designing technology that better supports them. He teaches fundamental computer science courses on the theoretical side, such as discrete structures and algorithms.
"Computing is abstract and technical, but the people learning and teaching it are complex human beings," he said. "Unique challenges emerge from the intersection of these two worlds."
"Explore more and exploit less." -Shao-Heng Ko
- New faculty explain what excites them about their transformative research
- Read why some of our newest professors chose Vanderbilt
- See more of the new faculty hired at the start of the 2026-27 academic year
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- Check out the latest research discoveries from Vanderbilt
