Vanik was a Vulcan officer in the 22nd century, ranked Captain. In 2136, Vanik took command of the starship Ti'Mur, and remained in that position until at least 2151.
In that year, Vanik shared a meal with Jonathan Archer, T'Pol and Trip Tucker aboard Enterprise when the two vessels encountered each other during Enterprise's survey of a rogue comet. (ENT: "Breaking the Ice")