Building the Future: Applying AI to Real-World Engineering
Instructor: Lucas Remedios, Ph.D.
AI, Engineering, Computer Science
Prerequisites: Students will need to have already taken a programming class, ideally covering the Python programming language.

Have you ever wondered how long ago someone lived, what people ate in the past, or how ancient families were connected? Archaeologists ask these same questions as they study the clues people left behind—artifacts, buildings, landscapes, even old plant remains. In this hands-on summer course, you’ll discover how science helps us unlock the secrets of the past. Using tools and ideas from geology, chemistry, and biology, you’ll explore archaeological science to better understand ancient cultures. Throughout the week, you’ll learn how we figure out the age of ancient objects, how scientists analyze DNA from long-ago humans, how we investigate whether people migrated from place to place, and how different kinds of evidence help us explore human evolution and tell the stories of past peoples and places. If you’re curious about ancient worlds and love solving mysteries, this course is for you!

Lucas Remedios, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of the Practice of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University. He is currently developing cutting edge, graduate-level coursework on applied AI for core engineering. He completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science at Vanderbilt University in 2025, conducting research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and medical imaging, and authoring 35 publications during his doctoral studies.

Chemical Engineering 101: Sustainable Design and Renewable Systems
Instructor: Allison Pereira, Ph.D.
Chemical Engineering, Sustainability

Are you curious about how engineers solve real-world challenges through innovative design and scientific principles? Have you ever wondered how we can create sustainable living solutions that minimize environmental impact? In this crash course, you will dive deep into the fundamental principles of chemical engineering by designing comprehensive off-grid living systems exploring critical engineering concepts including thermodynamics, heat and mass transport, fluid dynamics, and renewable energy technologies. Using engineering design principles, you will evaluate a renewable energy source appropriate to the geographical area, calculate energy generation, storage requirements, and system efficiency. Building on the power system design, you will develop an integrated water management solution for your proposed house involving filtration, treatment, and conservation strategies. If you’re passionate about sustainability, technology, and solving complex real-world problems, this course is for you!

Dr. Allison Pereira is an Assistant Professor of the Practice and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department. She graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University before working in biotherapeutic R&D upstream process development at Pfizer for five years. She joined Vanderbilt as a teaching faculty and teaches junior and senior chemical engineering labs, chemical process safety, technical communication for chemical engineers, and mentors chemical engineering seniors in their capstone design projects. As an engineering project leader for the Fall Early Start Transition (FEST) program with the Vanderbilt School of Engineering, she leads a small cohort in utilizing chemical engineering principles to iteratively create unique soap recipes. She is passionate about education and helping undergraduate students find their passion and make the most out of their undergraduate experience. She is also a tennis enthusiast, avid reader of fiction, and loves exploring Nashville and the outdoors with her family.

Cracking Crafty Codes: An Introduction to Cryptography and Number Theory
Instructor: Henry Chan, Ph.D.
Mathematics

How can we be sure that the information we share online is secure? What are the mathematical rules that encode our data and keep our digital world safe? If you have a curious mind and enjoy solving puzzles, you have all the background you need to begin answering these questions and more! In this course, we will work together to discover basic properties of numbers; we will use these to build mathematical tools that we can combine in interesting and useful ways to encrypt and decode messages in numerical form. We start by learning how to efficiently solve problems involving whole numbers using simple methods like the Euclidean Algorithm and the powerful Chinese Remainder Theorem. You’ll see how these ideas are immediately put to work in simple codes like the Caesar Cipher. We will then explore the unique properties of prime numbers—the basic building blocks of arithmetic—and learn powerful shortcuts like Fermat’s Little Theorem. Finally, we will see how these mathematical tools form the foundation for security systems like RSA and AES that you use every day (likely without realizing it!)

Dr. Chan, who earned a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Chicago in 2017, has been a valued member of the Vanderbilt University Department of Mathematics faculty since joining as a Senior Lecturer in 2019. He has taught a wide array of courses, including Calculus, Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics, and Numerical Methods, and his dedication to teaching was recognized with a Shanks Teaching Faculty Award in 2025. Additionally, he supports incoming students by participating in the Fall Early Start Transition (FEST) Program during the summers, helping them build a lasting college community.

Rhetorical Advocacy and Criticism
Instructor: John P. Koch, Ph.D.
Communication Studies, Politics, Argumentation and Debate

This course is designed to help you better understand communication and to become a better communicator, introducing you to the kinds of writing, reading, thinking, and speaking skills that will be expected of you throughout your college experiences. In this class, you will learn communication skills through practicing speeches and engaging in classroom discussions and debates. You will also learn how to analyze communication texts, such as museums, politics, and sports media, through reading contemporary scholarship and conducting your own rhetorical criticism. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to critically evaluate and analyze the material you read, organize ideas in writing and speech, assemble data into persuasive messages, and use sources to support your arguments. In this course, we each play an integral role: working to become literate and articulate members of the groups and situations we experience on a daily basis and becoming engaged citizens in a larger democratic society. In order to achieve these goals, you should expect to ask questions, listen to various perspectives, and participate in discussions.

Dr. John P. Koch is a Principal Senior Lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies at Vanderbilt University. He is an internationally recognized debate coach and scholar. Currently, he is the Director of Debate of Vanderbilt University’s internationally renowned and award-winning debate program. He has served as chair of the National Communication Association’s Argumentation and Forensics Division and the Committee on International Discussion and Debate. His research has appeared in Contemporary Argumentation and Debate, the National Forensics Journal, Studies in Debate and Oratory, and various book chapters. He has conducted debate trainings around the world, in places such as Japan and Rwanda. He has also been published or quoted in various news publications regarding political debates, including The Boston Globe, The Hill, and The Washington Post.

Sports Economics: Markets, Strategy, and Culture
Instructor: Kent Dolezal, Ph.D.
Sports, Economics

In this course, you will be introduced to the core ideas of sports economics, including how markets, labor, strategy, and culture shape the sports industry. Through engagement with key ideas from industrial organization (why leagues look the way they do), labor markets (how players are hired, paid, and valued), and the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics, you will examine how cultural forces, such as identity, community, rivalry, traditions, and fandom, shape demand for sports and drive billion-dollar decisions by leagues, teams, cities, and universities. Using real sports data, debates, and case studies, you will analyze how markets function, why teams behave strategically, and how economic incentives shape outcomes on and off the field.

Dr. Kent Dolezal is a Senior Lecturer in Economics at Vanderbilt University, where he teaches Sports Economics along with other courses. His Sports Economics course focuses on applying economic ideas to real-world issues in sports, competition, and organizational strategy, and he has extensive experience mentoring students through data driven projects and experiential learning. Before obtaining his economics doctorate, Dr. Dolezal spent over a decade teaching high-school math and theater. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale and an M.P.A. from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Outside the classroom, he is an avid supporter of Vanderbilt athletics and enjoys helping students connect academic concepts to the sports they follow and introducing them to new sports along the way.

Statistics and Experimental Design
Instructor: Maria Osina, Ph.D.
Statistics, Data Science, Quantitative Research Methods

How do we turn our curiosity about the world into structured research questions, measurable variables, and empirical evidence? This course offers a transferable skill set in experimental design and data analysis that you can apply across empirical fields. You will learn how scientists design studies, collect evidence, and use statistics to separate real effects from noise. Beginning with basic ideas—random variables, distributions, and decision errors (Type I/II)—you will build up to hypothesis testing using foundational statistical procedures (t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, regression). You will also learn data visualization and statistical computing in R. Prior coding experience is not required; curiosity about how evidence supports claims is essential. Working in small teams, you will design a mini-study or analyze a real-world dataset, then present a short report to your classmates defending your conclusions. Expect hands-on labs, quick “myth-busting” demos, and lively discussions about what statistics can—and cannot—tell us.

Maria Osina is a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at Peabody College. She received her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Vanderbilt University in 2014. Her research focuses on early language development, specifically how early language relates to development in other domains (e.g., motor and social development). While in the Ph.D. program at Vanderbilt, Maria earned a minor in Quantitative Methods and has taught statistics courses since then. She also has experience working as a project statistician on grant-funded research. Prior to her Ph.D., she obtained an M.S. in Linguistics from Moscow State University. Her expertise spans multiple disciplines and research methodologies. In her free time, Maria enjoys mountaineering, rock climbing, classical music, and spending time with her children.

The Psychology and Neuroscience of Happiness
Instructor: Ashleigh Maxcey, Ph.D.
Psychology, Neuroscience

Positive psychology is the study of exceeding baseline human potential. In their academic pursuits, psychologists who study happiness might ask questions such as: How do we define and achieve happiness? What increases the human capacity for joy, meaning, and hope? What are the traits of a positive institution? This course provides you the opportunity to explore positive psychology as an academic field of research while also allowing you the chance to understand and implement habits that can increase their personal joy, meaning, and hope in our post-covid world rich in anxiety and depression. By the end of the course, you will have a better understanding of the academic field of positive psychology, including the peer-reviewed science behind the study of happiness. You will also learn about happiness tools that work based on research, the intersection of well-being and career paths, components of positive institutions, cultural differences in the pursuit of joy, and strategies to incorporate these lessons into college life and beyond. From successful leaders to compelling politicians to empathetic doctors, every future career path is enhanced using this science of happiness.

Dr. Ashleigh Maxcey (she/her) is a Senior Lecturer & Research Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department. In her laboratory, Dr. Maxcey studies human nature and happiness. Dr. Maxcey gave a TEDxNashville talk in 2025 about happiness. She earned her Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Iowa in Cognition & Perception and her B.A. from Purdue University. At Vanderbilt, she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in research methods, statistics, positive psychology, cognitive psychology, being human, and general psychology. She has a passion for helping students embrace topics they previously found daunting and bridging topics to applications outside the classroom. Outside of class, Dr. Maxcey enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and walking her dog, Archie.

Chemical Engineering 101: Sustainable Design and Renewable Systems
Instructor: Allison Pereira, Ph.D.
Chemical Engineering, Sustainability

Are you curious about how engineers solve real-world challenges through innovative design and scientific principles? Have you ever wondered how we can create sustainable living solutions that minimize environmental impact? In this crash course, you will dive deep into the fundamental principles of chemical engineering by designing comprehensive off-grid living systems exploring critical engineering concepts including thermodynamics, heat and mass transport, fluid dynamics, and renewable energy technologies. Using engineering design principles, you will evaluate a renewable energy source appropriate to the geographical area, calculate energy generation, storage requirements, and system efficiency. Building on the power system design, you will develop an integrated water management solution for your proposed house involving filtration, treatment, and conservation strategies. If you’re passionate about sustainability, technology, and solving complex real-world problems, this course is for you!

Dr. Allison Pereira is an Assistant Professor of the Practice and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department. She graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University before working in biotherapeutic R&D upstream process development at Pfizer for five years. She joined Vanderbilt as a teaching faculty and teaches junior and senior chemical engineering labs, chemical process safety, technical communication for chemical engineers, and mentors chemical engineering seniors in their capstone design projects. As an engineering project leader for the Fall Early Start Transition (FEST) program with the Vanderbilt School of Engineering, she leads a small cohort in utilizing chemical engineering principles to iteratively create unique soap recipes. She is passionate about education and helping undergraduate students find their passion and make the most out of their undergraduate experience. She is also a tennis enthusiast, avid reader of fiction, and loves exploring Nashville and the outdoors with her family.

Cracking Crafty Codes: An Introduction to Cryptography and Number Theory
Instructor: Sean McAfee, Ph.D.
Mathematics

How can we be sure that the information we share online is secure? What are the mathematical rules that encode our data and keep our digital world safe? If you have a curious mind and enjoy solving puzzles, you have all the background you need to begin answering these questions and more! In this course, we will work together to discover basic properties of numbers; we will use these to build mathematical tools that we can combine in interesting and useful ways to encrypt and decode messages in numerical form. We start by learning how to efficiently solve problems involving whole numbers using simple methods like the Euclidean Algorithm and the powerful Chinese Remainder Theorem. You’ll see how these ideas are immediately put to work in simple codes like the Caesar Cipher. We will then explore the unique properties of prime numbers—the basic building blocks of arithmetic—and learn powerful shortcuts like Fermat’s Little Theorem. Finally, we will see how these mathematical tools form the foundation for security systems like RSA and AES that you use every day (likely without realizing it!)

Dr. McAfee earned a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Utah in 2019, followed by a postdoctoral teaching position at Northwestern University from 2019-2022. He has been a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at Vanderbilt University since 2022. He has taught a variety of topics, including calculus, linear algebra, combinatorics, and proof writing. He enjoys encouraging young mathematicians through local Math Circles and high school outreach programs. His non-mathematical interests include cooking, solving and writing crosswords, and tending to his many plants.

Exploring Music City: Fandom and the Making of Nashville
Instructor: Robert Fry, Ph.D.
Music History, Ethnography

Nashville is identified worldwide with musical sound. Considering this association, locations of creativity, performance, preservation, and production have become sites of interest for a growing number of fans interested in both the history and the performativity of Nashville’s music scene. In this course led by a Vanderbilt Professor, you will have a unique opportunity to explore the history of Nashville’s music and the importance of music fandom. You will learn the basics of ethnographic research methodology through an immersive educational experience within the Vanderbilt and Nashville music communities. In addition to classroom discussions, the class will include guest lectures and class trips to music landmarks and sites throughout the city. Through this immersive experience, students will gain a deeper understanding of Nashville as a musical place and the role we, as music fans, tourists, and listeners, play in the production and presentation of Music City. In a culminating project, you will use your newfound knowledge based on class instruction and observation at local music sites to design and create your own virtual music museums, exhibiting the music of your generation. This class is in partnership with the Blair School of Music.

Robert W. Fry is senior lecturer in music history and literature at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music in Nashville, Tennessee, where he teaches courses in global music, jazz, blues, music in the American South, and music tourism. His research focuses on music tourism and the role of fan culture in the production of a musical place, which he writes about in his book, Performing Nashville: Music Tourism and Country Music’s Main Street, part of Palgrave Macmillan’s Leisure Studies in a Global Era series.

Game Theory and Business Strategy
Instructor: Karim Nchare, Ph.D.
Economics, Game Theory, Business Analytics, Mathematical Modelling

In this introductory business strategy course, you will use principles of game theory to analyze the behavior of firms, industries, and markets across a variety of competitive and cooperative settings. Drawing on foundational and contemporary economic and business theories, you will develop an analytical framework for understanding market dynamics, strategic interaction, and the incentives that shape organizational decision-making. You will learn how firms anticipate competitors’ actions, how strategic choices influence market outcomes, and how different market structures affect both firm performance and consumer welfare. Through case studies, theoretical models, and practical applications, you will leave with the tools needed to interpret real-world strategic challenges and to formulate sound business decisions and policy recommendations grounded in economic reasoning.

Dr. Karim Nchare is a Senior Lecturer in Economics and Econometrics at Vanderbilt University and an accomplished researcher with a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University. His expertise spans econometrics, decision science, data analytics, and development economics, with publications in leading journals and several papers under review at top-tier outlets like Nature and the Journal of Development Economics. A recipient of prestigious fellowships and grants, including the Young Economist Lindau Nobel Fellowship, he is also a dedicated mentor whose students have been placed in Ph.D. programs at institutions such as Harvard, Yale, and the University of British Columbia.

Leadership in the American Experiment
Instructor: Dustin Wood, Ph.D.
Leadership, Advocacy, Communication

Can one person really change the course of history? If you’re interested in how people have shaped the way others see themselves and their place in this world, this class is for you. This course aims to help you cultivate leadership skills by investigating key “leadership moments” in U.S. history. We will examine famous texts and speeches – from the country’s founding to modern times – to see how people representing diverse beliefs and backgrounds have attempted to shape the United States. We will consider, among other topics, advocacy in the civil rights movement and presidential speeches during times of national crisis. Through discussions and classroom activities that simulate “real world” scenarios where leadership is needed, you will develop practical skills to assist you in your own efforts to change the world. By the end of this course, you will be better equipped to lead and shape change in your communities.

Dustin Wood is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies at Vanderbilt University. He holds a PhD in Rhetoric and Public Affairs from Texas A&M University. Dr. Wood has been teaching university students for nearly 20 years and describes his work as his “dream job”. He is particularly interested in teaching subjects – like history, religion, and the First Amendment – that invite consideration of the “big questions” of life. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys live music, the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.

Microscopy of Nanomaterials
Instructor: Susan Sutton, Ph.D.
Chemistry, Materials Engineering

Today, some of the biggest problems in medicine, science, and engineering are being solved with some of the smallest technologies. Nanoparticles are used in everything from computer science to disease treatments. In this course, you will get an introduction into key nanoparticles, their properties, and how scientists synthesize and manipulate them. In addition to lessons and research, this class will involve hands-on learning with laboratory experiences. You will also be introduced to state-of-the-art imaging tools to give you a greater understanding of the potential of nanoparticles so that you can gain the skills to develop your own scientific research project!

Dr. Sutton joined the Department of Chemistry at Vanderbilt in August of 2014 and is now a Principal Senior Lecturer. She teaches a variety of courses such as Forensics Analytical Chemistry, Introduction to Analytical Chemistry, and Integrated Laboratory. She actively publishes in educational research journals focused on developing new experiments and innovative methods of teaching. Dr. Sutton’s Ph.D. research focused on producing and imaging novel nanoscale architectures and the development of a new sample stage for photocurrent measurements using scanning probe microscopy. Before then, she worked at a start-up electronics company, Kovio, Inc., in Sunnyvale, California, was the director of the Nanoscience and Biotechnology Core Facility at Tennessee State University and taught nanotech courses with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. Sutton has also won several mentoring awards here at Vanderbilt, most recently the Chancellor’s Outstanding Immersion Mentor (2025).

Rapid Prototyping and Digital Manufacturing
Instructor: David Florian, Ph.D.
Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing

Have you ever wondered how engineers transform ideas into real, functional objects? In this course, you’ll think like an engineer and explore the cutting-edge world of digital fabrication, where designs leap from CAD software into reality using advanced 3D printing technologies! Throughout this two-week journey, you’ll dive into the full engineering design process, from creating 3D models in Autodesk Fusion to bringing your designs to life with filament and resin printing. You’ll learn how different 3D printing technologies shape the way engineers design for different materials, tolerances, and applications. We’ll explore next-generation methods like powder bed fusion and large-format printing, giving you a glimpse into the future of manufacturing. By the end of the course, you’ll have gained hands-on experience in designing and printing your own functional parts, learned how to iterate like a professional, and discovered how digital fabrication empowers engineers in fields from robotics to medicine. If you’re ready to push your creativity and engineering skills to the next level, this course is for you!

Dr. David Florian is an Assistant Professor of the Practice in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt University. He teaches courses in the Digital Fabrication minor, ranging from additive manufacturing to computer-controlled machining. A hands-on innovator, Dr. Florian designs and builds his own large-format 3D printers, plasma cutters, and CNC mills, and even 3D printed a full-sized boat to demonstrate what is possible when computer-aided design meets real-world fabrication. Outside the classroom, Dr. Florian shares his passion for engineering with a global audience through his YouTube channel, Dr. D-Flo, which has received over twelve million views. His videos and teaching both reflect his goal of helping students turn ideas into reality through design, creativity, and technology.

A Preview of Number Theory
Instructor: Larry Rolen, Ph.D.
Mathematics

According to Gauss, “Mathematics is the queen of the sciences and number theory is the queen of mathematics.” For thousands of years, people around the world have played with numbers and noticed many patterns in them. Today, number theory plays a central role in cryptography and web security. In the past two decades, connections between number theory and topics in theoretical physics such as the study of string theory and black holes have been at the forefront of the field. This class will focus on the fundamentals of elementary number theory. This begins with the basic properties of integers, such as the fact that they can be uniquely factored into prime numbers, and their properties under addition and multiplication. Although this sounds like an “easy” topic, we will soon find that it is much more subtle than it first appears. The goal of this class is to take a journey through the classical results, which will take us in many surprising directions. This class is proof-based, but we will emphasize student-led discovery and computer coding to help build our intuition. By the end of the course, you will know how to answer questions such as: Which prime numbers are the sums of two squares? How can we use circles to write down a formula for all Pythagorean triples? How does the RSA encryption scheme work? About how many prime numbers less than 1 trillion are there? Although many of the topics in classical number theory were done hundreds of years ago, we will also emphasize, when we can, topics relating to cutting-edge research today. For example, RSA is still a critical component of internet security, and we will touch on topics such as Fermat’s Last Theorem that was only solved in the 1990’s. We will also learn, sometimes without rigorous proof, about major insights in 20th Century number theory that are still the foundation of modern number theory today.

Larry Rolen obtained his Ph.D. in mathematics in 2013 from Emory University in Atlanta. He works in number theory, the study of whole numbers under the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. While this sounds straightforward, many basic questions remain unsolved. For instance, no one has been able to show for 283 years whether every even number at least 4 is the sum of two prime numbers. Rolen works at the intersection of number theory with applications in physics, counting problems, and geometry. The area Rolen specializes in was inspired by the genius mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, who was not formally educated in higher mathematics but made many remarkable discoveries that are hugely influential over 100 years later (Ramanujan was the subject of a recent Hollywood film starring Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons). One thing Ramanujan noticed (though he was not the first to notice this) was that the number e^{Pi*sqrt(163)} is very nearly a whole number, namely, it is 262537412640768743.99999999999925. This fact, though strange, is not a coincidence, and is a very deep hint of a large amount of theoretical structure. Number theory also serves as the basis for modern cryptography and data security, which is of critical importance to the functioning of the internet and our daily lives.

Building the Future: Applying AI to Real-World Engineering
Instructor: Lucas Remedios, Ph.D.
AI, Engineering, Computer Science
Prerequisites: Students will need to have already taken a programming class, ideally covering the Python programming language.

Have you ever wondered how long ago someone lived, what people ate in the past, or how ancient families were connected? Archaeologists ask these same questions as they study the clues people left behind—artifacts, buildings, landscapes, even old plant remains. In this hands-on summer course, you’ll discover how science helps us unlock the secrets of the past. Using tools and ideas from geology, chemistry, and biology, you’ll explore archaeological science to better understand ancient cultures. Throughout the week, you’ll learn how we figure out the age of ancient objects, how scientists analyze DNA from long-ago humans, how we investigate whether people migrated from place to place, and how different kinds of evidence help us explore human evolution and tell the stories of past peoples and places. If you’re curious about ancient worlds and love solving mysteries, this course is for you!

Lucas Remedios, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of the Practice of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University. He is currently developing cutting edge, graduate-level coursework on applied AI for core engineering. He completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science at Vanderbilt University in 2025, conducting research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and medical imaging, and authoring 35 publications during his doctoral studies.

Genetic Detectives: Stray Cat Paternity and Predator Trails
Instructor: Thomas Clements, Ph.D.
Genetics, Molecular Biology, Genomics

This intensive summer lab course turns you into a genetic sleuth, applying modern molecular techniques to real-world conservation and community issues. Using DNA samples from local and wild populations, you will master fundamental genetics concepts and lab skills through two major, hands-on projects: Stray Cat Paternity Exclusion and Predator Trail eDNA Analysis. Through the Stray Cat Paternity Exclusion project, you will learn the basics of cat fur pattern genetics and then predict paternity based on a hypothesized family tree of a local stray cat population. Afterwards, you will learn how to extract DNA from saliva samples, run PCR and analyze short tandem repeats (STR) to determine the accuracy of your predictions, perhaps culminating in a dramatic “You are NOT the father” moment. The Predator Trail eDNA Analysis will be an opportunity to utilize cutting-edge environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to detect and map the presence and spread of mountain lion (cougar) populations in wilderness areas along the East Coast, contributing to real-time wildlife ecology and conservation efforts. You will gain proficiency in DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, bioinformatics, and population genetics analysis, all while exploring the practical application of genetics across diverse feline species.

Thomas P. Clements (he/him) earned his BS in Biochemistry from Purdue University and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from Rice University. Currently, he is a Senior Lecturer of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University, where he teaches such classes as Molecules and Cells (formerly Introduction to Biological Sciences), Principles of Genetics, Genetics Lab, the Exploratory Core Course Gene Editing and Ethics, the Introductory Core Course Science, Technology and Values and the CSET course Improv and Science Communication. At Vanderbilt, he has continued his Ph.D. research exploring CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing using the zebrafish model organism in the classroom setting and has recently begun exploring cat paternity testing in his Genetics Lab. In addition to these efforts, he also helped implement a multi-department undergraduate Learning Assistant (LA) Program. He is also involved in research efforts that center on the use of LAs and their effect on belonging, retention, and STEM identity. He is a graduate of the Third Coast Comedy Club training center and uses his skills in improv with his group Improv Science Theater 4000 (IST4K) to share science with diverse audiences exemplifying his passion for science communication. Outside the classroom, he enjoys playing basketball, running long distances, making and sharing memes (@vandybio on Instagram), all things Pokémon, and listening to pop/punk music. He loves living in Nashville with his wife Dr. Katie Clements (Chemistry Senior Lecturer at Vanderbilt), and their daughter Rosemary (Rosie) (8 months). Finally, he is a fierce proponent that everyone can succeed in STEM.

Human Identity in a Complex World: Literary, Anthropological, and Sociological Perspectives
Instructor: Elizabeth Covington, Ph.D.
Literary Studies, Anthropology, Sociology

What makes each of us who we are? How do things like our ability, race, class, and gender influence the way we live? And what about religion, nationality, family, education, and other aspects of our identity? This course will be a fascinating dive into the way humans form their identities individually and in communities ranging from the family to the nation to the world. Using literature, film, anthropological and sociological theories, and hands-on studies of human behavior, we will sift through the major factors that influence human identity formation and consider how humans shape and are shaped by these factors. You will finish the course with a solid foundation in the disciplines of literary study, anthropology, and sociology, and these will aid in a deeper understanding of the ways humans define themselves and navigate the environments in which they live.

Elizabeth Covington is Principal Senior Lecturer in English and Associate Director of the Robert Penn Warren Center for the Humanities. Professor Covington’s undergraduate work in Religious Studies (major) and Chemistry (minor) was completed at The University of Iowa, and she has master’s degrees from Yale University in Religious Ethics and Vanderbilt University in English. She completed her doctoral work at Vanderbilt University where she earned the Founder’s Medal for Graduate Studies. Professor Covington’s research explores the role of memory studies in early twentieth-century literature with particular emphasis on the ways that historical scientific theories of memory are implemented and tested in the experimental literature of the time period. She has won several teaching awards from Vanderbilt University in recognition of her cutting-edge pedagogical techniques.

Med School 101
Instructor: Vanderbilt School of Medicine Students
Medicine, Biology, Chemistry
Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is one of the top hospitals in the country, so it is no surprise that the medical school is at the forefront when it comes to technology and teaching. In this course, you will work with many of the same computer and virtual medical simulations as Vanderbilt medical students and use problem-based learning to analyze and diagnose real medical case studies. Taught by a team of medical students overseen by Vanderbilt School of Medicine Faculty, this course will utilize small group discussions, faculty lectures, lab exercises, and the latest resources and technologies from the Vanderbilt School of Medicine to learn about the practice, ethics, and social impact of modern medicine.

*NOTE: VUMC insurance and safety regulations state that students must be 16 years old by July 1, 2026 to participate. This policy is non-negotiable.

Additional Requirements: Enrolled students may have select observational experiences in a hospital setting through the Vanderbilt Observational Services program. As Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a distinct organization that is separate from Vanderbilt University, VUMC develops separate polices on health and safety requirements for Observers. Vanderbilt Observational Services requires a TB test for all Med School 101 students.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center also has materials and short trainings for enrolled students to complete in addition to the PTY Required Forms needed to participate in VSA. Some sections may duplicate PTY’s required paperwork. However, full completion of both sets of paperwork is required for participation in Med School 101.

This class is in partnership with the Vanderbilt School of Medicine.

Neuroscience: Your Six Senses
Instructor: Meredyth Wegener, Ph.D.
Neuroscience

How does your brain know which way is up even when your eyes are closed, or distinguish the sound of your friend’s voice in a noisy room? In this course on sensory neurobiology, you will explore how the brain transforms raw sensory inputs—light, sound, touch, taste, smell, and gravity—into meaningful information and vivid experiences. Through interactive labs, demonstrations, and examination of research data, we’ll investigate how various sensory receptors detect stimuli, how neurons communicate information, and how the brain integrates signals to organize input and create your conscious perception. By the end of the course, you will not only understand how your senses shape your experience of the world but also gain insight into how scientists study the brain at multiple levels—from molecules to behavior. Join us to uncover how the brain turns sensation into perception—and learn how your nervous system lets you see, hear, feel, and know where you are in the world.

Dr. Meredyth Wegener is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, studying motivation in adult and adolescent animals and the impact of diet on learning. She began her undergraduate career at Trinity College Dublin and completed her B.A. in Neuroscience at the University of Virginia. At Vanderbilt, Dr. Wegener teaches courses on the actions of drugs in the brain, the neurotransmitter GABA, neurological disease, and introductory Neuroscience. In the classroom, she encourages students to think critically and work collaboratively to interpret data, especially when data contradicts the expected result. Outside the classroom, Dr. Wegener plays board games, enjoys theatre, puzzles through the crossword, and throws ball for her dog Oxford.

Physics in Action: How Science Shapes Our World
Instructor: Amal al-Wahish, Ph.D.
Physics

Get ready to watch physics come to life around you! In this hands-on summer academy course, you’ll explore how the laws of physics shape everything you experience—from the way your body moves to the technology that powers your everyday world.You’ll investigate questions you may have always wondered about: How do X-rays let doctors see inside the body? How does renewable energy keep homes and hospitals running? How do medical devices help people heal? As you dig into these real-world challenges, you’ll discover how physics connects to medicine, biology, energy, and engineering. You’ll see these ideas in action through tools like MRIs, traction systems, and even the Ballistocardiograph. By the end of the program, you’ll walk away with new skills, deeper scientific confidence, and a clearer understanding of how physics drives the innovations shaping the world and its future.

Amal al-Wahish is a condensed matter experimental and neutron scattering physicist. She holds a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics and Neutron Scattering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where her research focused on Neutron Scattering Studies of Phosphate Proton Conductors under the guidance of D. Mandrus. Prior to her doctoral studies, she earned an M.Sc. in Applied Physics from The Hashemite University, Jordan, and a B.S. in Physics, also from The Hashemite University. Dr. al-Wahish has contributed extensively to the field through her roles as a reviewer for peer-reviewed scientific journals such as Physical Review B and Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. In addition to her teaching and research, Dr. al-Wahish is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within the academic community and has served on various committees. Her leadership extends to organizing events that foster community and support for women and minorities in physics.

Rapid Prototyping and Digital Manufacturing
Instructor: David Florian, Ph.D.
Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing

Have you ever wondered how engineers transform ideas into real, functional objects? In this course, you'll think like an engineer and explore the cutting-edge world of digital fabrication, where designs leap from CAD software into reality using advanced 3D printing technologies! Throughout this two-week journey, you'll dive into the full engineering design process, from creating 3D models in Autodesk Fusion to bringing your designs to life with filament and resin printing. You’ll learn how different 3D printing technologies shape the way engineers design for different materials, tolerances, and applications. We’ll explore next-generation methods like powder bed fusion and large-format printing, giving you a glimpse into the future of manufacturing. By the end of the course, you’ll have gained hands-on experience in designing and printing your own functional parts, learned how to iterate like a professional, and discovered how digital fabrication empowers engineers in fields from robotics to medicine. If you’re ready to push your creativity and engineering skills to the next level, this course is for you!

Dr. David Florian is an Assistant Professor of the Practice in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt University. He teaches courses in the Digital Fabrication minor, ranging from additive manufacturing to computer-controlled machining. A hands-on innovator, Dr. Florian designs and builds his own large-format 3D printers, plasma cutters, and CNC mills, and even 3D printed a full-sized boat to demonstrate what is possible when computer-aided design meets real-world fabrication. Outside the classroom, Dr. Florian shares his passion for engineering with a global audience through his YouTube channel, Dr. D-Flo, which has received over twelve million views. His videos and teaching both reflect his goal of helping students turn ideas into reality through design, creativity, and technology.