Vivian Gama

Vivian Gama is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where she also serves as Associate Dean for Mentoring. Her research focuses on the role of apoptotic proteins and mitochondrial/peroxisomal dynamics in stem cell self-renewal, pluripotency, differentiation, and reprogramming. She leads an active research lab using embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and cancer stem cells from glioblastoma and medulloblastoma as model systems.

Her research interests include:

• Functions of BCL-2 family proteins in stem cell regulation
• Mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission, fusion, motility, and degradation
• Regulation of neurogenesis and gliogenesis
• Modeling rare mitochondrial and peroxisomal diseases
• Cristae structure in neural development

The lab's recent publications highlight a strong trend in understanding how organelle dynamics govern cell fate decisions in both normal and pathological contexts, particularly in neural and cancer stem cells. Her work integrates genetics, proteomics, and live-cell imaging to uncover novel regulatory pathways.

Scientific awards and recognitions include:

• NICHD F31 Pre-doctoral Fellowship (awarded to lab member)
• Dean’s Award for Exceptional Academic Achievement
• Vanderbilt Seeding Success Grant
• NIGMS MIRA/R35 Grant Renewal

Vivian Gama actively mentors graduate students and postdocs, with trainees in programs such as IGP, QCB, and NGP. Her lab has secured major grants including the MIRA/R35, indicating sustained NIH support. She is deeply involved in graduate education and student mentorship, as reflected in her administrative role as Associate Dean for Mentoring.

The Gama Lab operates within the Center for Cancer Systems Biology and the Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology, leveraging core facilities in imaging, proteomics, and stem cell modeling to advance its research agenda.