The V-FIRST program consists of several key personnel across the institution who serve as core leaders within the program.
Consuelo Wilkins, MD, MSCI
Senior Associate Dean, Healthy Equity and Inclusive Excellence (School of Medicine), and Professor of Medicine
Director of Administrative Core
Alyssa Hasty, PhD
Associate Dean for Faculty in the Basic Sciences, and Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
Director of the Faculty Development Core
Duane Watson, PhD
Associate Provost, Faculty Development, Vanderbilt University
V-FIRST Leadership Team, Faculty Development Core
Sarah Suiter, PhD, MS
Associate Professor of Human & Organizational Development at Vanderbilt University
V-FIRST, Evaluation Core Director
Sarah Beck, M.Ed, NCC
Program Manager, Vanderbilt University
V-FIRST Faculty Development Core & Evaluation Core
Monique Killyon
Senior Program Manager, VUMC Office for Diversity Affairs
V-FIRST Administrative Core
Walter Clair, MD, MPH
Professor and Vice Chair for Diversity and Inclusion in the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Co-investigator, Faculty Development Core
Michael R. DeBaun, MD, MPH
J.C. Peterson Endowed Chair Professor in Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine
Leader of the Breakfast Club for V-FIRST Faculty
Katherine E. Hartmann, MD, PhD
Vice President for Research Integration, Associate Dean for Clinical & Translational Scientist Development, Burch Professor of Reproductive Physiology, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Medicine
Co-investigator, Evaluation Core
David Diehl, PhD, MA
Assistant Professor in Human and Organizational Development
Co-investigator, Evaluation Core
Felysha Jenkins, PhD
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Manager, Basic Sciences
Inclusive Excellence Programming
Linda Sealy, PhD
Former Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Basic Sciences
Recruiting and American Indian and Pacific Islander Faculty Support
Each thematic research area is lead by two senior research faculty who are internationally recognized in their fields and demonstrate a record of successful mentoring of early career faculty.
Infection, Immunology, Inflammation, and Metabolism
Genetic and Omic Discovery and Health Disparities
Neuroscience
Structural Biology and Imaging