Meet Vanderbilt’s first Packard Fellow Carlos Taboada, assistant professor of biological sciences and frog whisperer

Carlos Taboada, assistant professor of biological sciences at Vanderbilt University. (The David and Lucile Packard Foundation)

For Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Carlos Taboada, the fascination with wildlife and biology began when he was a kid. But what firmly decided his future career path were two key moments: an opportunity to conduct fieldwork on polka-dot treefrogs in Argentina and reading Sönke Johnsen's book The Optics of Life. "It was truly inspiring, as it was the first time I discovered a field that combined my passion for frogs, chemistry and physics," Taboada said. "I read it eagerly, enjoying every moment. Since then, I have become obsessed with the biology of colors."

Taboada, who runs the Taboada Lab at Vanderbilt, was among the 2024 Packard Fellows for Science and Engineering announced on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The fellowships, which are awarded by The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, provide the nation's most promising early-career scientists and engineers with flexible funding to take risks and explore new frontiers in their fields of study. Fellows receive $875,000 of unrestricted funds over five years. Packard Fellows have gone on to receive Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, Alan T. Waterman Awards, Breakthrough Prizes and been elected to the national academies of science, engineering and medicine.

"Professor Taboada's work beautifully demonstrates what is possible when passion and curiosity drive inquiry across the boundaries that separate disciplines," Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. "His investigations into how biochemical and physical processes shape optical traits in frogs are expanding our understanding of biology more broadly. Professor Taboada's achievements are a testament to the enduring power and value of wonder-and to the kind of discovery that is a university's unique stock-in-trade. I'm proud to congratulate him on behalf of Vanderbilt."

According to the foundation's website, the program is rooted in David Packard's commitment to strengthening university-based science and engineering programs in recognition that the success of the Hewlett-Packard Company, which he co-founded, was derived in large measure from the research and development in university laboratories.

Taboada worked with Research Development and Support within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation to coordinate facets of his application. Out of 99 applicants from 50 universities, 20 fellows were chosen.

"Carlos embodies the spirit of rigorous inquiry and innovation at Vanderbilt. His groundbreaking interdisciplinary research examines the biology of color and amphibian adaptation, deepening our understanding of evolution," Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver said. "We are proud to have him as our first Packard Fellow; this award will empower him to advance knowledge in biological sciences, benefiting our community and multiple scientific fields."

After earning his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biological sciences from the University of Buenos Aires, Taboada pursued a postdoctoral position at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. But it was a fateful message to his literary inspiration that brought him to the U.S. "When I was concluding my Ph.D., I reached out to Johnsen, who authored the book The Optics of Life. I really enjoyed all his work and found it extraordinarily inspiring," Taboada said. "So, I applied for a Human Frontiers Science Program postdoctoral fellowship to work with him on the transparency of glassfrogs. Fortunately, I was awarded the fellowship in 2018, allowing me to relocate to North Carolina to work with him at Duke University, which was a dream come true."

After his work at Duke, Taboada joined Vanderbilt University in 2023 as an assistant professor and principal researcher. At the Taboada Lab, he and his team investigate the chemical, physiological and physical mechanisms that create different colors in frogs and the remarkable transparency of glassfrogs. These translucent frogs are of particular interest to Taboada. To maintain their transparency, they hide most of their red blood cells without causing a massive clot, and they can keep up with their metabolic needs without the normal oxygen supply provided by these cells. Taboada's lab investigates alternative pathways for oxygen uptake and transport in these amphibians, and the effects of non-oxidative metabolism on the normal physiology of the frogs.

"Carlos's fascinating and impressive research on amphibian evolution helps us to better understand a host of critical biological processes," said Timothy P. McNamara, Ginny and Conner Searcy Dean of the College of Arts and Science. "This fellowship rightfully recognizes the significance of his work and the promise of his future impact. I am impressed by his contributions to the field of biological sciences, but also, due to the highly interdisciplinary nature of his research, to scholarship across the College of Arts and Science as a whole."

It's that very research that will be the focus of the Packard Fellowship's funds. Taboada says the discretionary nature of the funds gives him the flexibility to hire personnel to contribute to a range of projects, including investigating the biophysics of the proteins responsible for the vibrant colors in frogs, identifying non-visual novel photoreceptors and exploring the remarkable mechanisms that allow glassfrogs to thrive in hypoxic conditions. Taboada also will purchase components to build specialized equipment and cameras to enhance his lab and field work.

When he's not in his lab hanging out with a kaleidoscope of colored frogs, Taboada enjoys playing guitar and taking in concerts, especially with his wife and son. Coming to Nashville has allowed him to dive headfirst into both of his passions-science and music. "I really enjoy the collaborative environment I found at Vanderbilt. Being surrounded by creative scientists and having access to state-of-the-art facilities opens avenues to pursue any research direction I might be interested in, which is a blessing," Taboada said. "In Nashville, I've found a city that offers both beautiful landscapes and opportunities. The blend of music and nature is magnificent. The variety of options and vibrant cultural life are exciting, and we are thoroughly enjoying all those opportunities."

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