CUMC, in partnership with three other New York medical centers, received a grant from the NIH for approximately $4M to enroll participants in the cohort program of President Obama’s Precision Medicine Initiative.

Nzingha Prescod ‘15CC, sabre coach Akhnaten Spencer-El, and Katie Meili ’13CC will represent the U.S. this August at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Learn more about Nzingha,Akhnaten, and Katie and explore Columbia insights on Brazil.

The first-ever CAA STEM Day, held on June 12, showcased the best of Columbia innovations, faculty, and ideas in science, technology, engineering, and math to more than 350 alumni—spanning 15 schools and seven decades—and their families. For many alumni, it was their first time attending a Columbia event post-graduation.

Attendees had the chance to hold human and animal brains, conduct hands-on science experiments, and enjoy food, crafts, and a scavenger hunt. Interactive booths about sea levels, hover crafts, neuroscience, and robots were led by faculty, alumni, and current Columbia students.

Janna Levin, Barnard College professor and author of Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space gave an informative lecture, and Columbia researchers from the award-winning documentary Antarctic Edge: 70 Degrees South spoke about their fascinating work exploring the fastest warming place on Earth, the West Antarctic Peninsula.

Families captured the fun in photos and videos posted to social media with the hashtag #CAASTEMDay, which were highlighted in a Tagboard for everyone to view and enjoy.

The event was an effort by many University schools and programs, including Barnard, Columbia College, Columbia Entrepreneurship, Columbia School of General Studies, Columbia Science Initiative, Columbia Engineering, Columbia Neuroscience Outreach, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, Earth Institute, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Hollingworth Science Camp, and Teachers College. More than 60 faculty, staff, student, and alumni volunteers from the Morningside, Medical, Manhattanville, and Palisades campuses volunteered at STEM Day.

View photos from STEM Day.

Since the founding of Columbia University as King’s College in 1754, the campus has gone through many changes. Submit a comparison photo, like the one from the University’s Instagram pictured above, of Columbia then and now.

Send to [email protected] by Thursday, August 4. Prize details will be shared via e-mail.

On August 25, the National Parks Service turns 100. To celebrate, I checked off a major bucket list item in June by road tripping and hiking through the Southwest with two of my best girlfriends. We had a lot of territory to cover in two weeks. Here are a few highlights, from A (Arizona) to Z (Zion).

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
We started our journey on the north side of the canyon. 

This is probably one of the most photographed landmarks in the United States and photos just don’t fully do it justice. I’m still overwhelmed by the vastness and beauty of the canyons. Though it was formed millions of years ago, it is still being carved out by erosion, wind, etc. Amazing! 

We camped in the park for a couple of days and woke up one morning to find the elk pictured grazing right by our tent.

Over the next few days, we drove through the Southwest, stopping at various landmarks and venturing out onto the trails.

U.S. Route 66
A true American road trip is not complete without a drive down historic Route 66! If old car relics are your thing, you’ll find that on the roadside along with other fabulous Americana. Check out Fred Flintstone’s car behind me!

Sedona, Arizona
One step at a time, the reward at the end of the hike is always worth it—just check out the view!

Can you spot the Columbia gear I’m wearing? Hint: they were given out at last year’s All-Staff Retreat.

Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
Horseshoe Bend offers another awe-inspiring view that’s worth the hike! This is a major curve in the Colorado River.

Zion National Park, Utah
Back on the trail, we spent a day exploring Moab and cooling off in the emerald pools.

Monument Valley, Arizona-Utah Border
While camping out in the wild, you experience the simple beauties of life, like watching the sun rise…

…or playing with wild horses!

San Francisco, California
We wrapped up our road trip in San Francisco. After spending two weeks in the wild, I had to reward myself the best way possible—with some churned-to-order goodness! I ordered the strawberry white balsamic, and it definitely made me smitten.

What would the U.S. be like without these natural spaces? Whatever one’s political beliefs, America’s parks are worth protecting and it’s important to become educated on the ways that we can contribute to conservation efforts, locally and globally. Future generations will thank us.

Thoughts or questions? Feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]. To share your own adventure, e-mail [email protected].

“It’s all one world. There are no islands anymore.”

Margaret Mead was instrumental in extending and popularizing anthropological concepts of culture. As a professor, intrepid researcher, author, speaker, and museum curator, she bridged the gap between the academy and popular culture. Learn more.

CUMC announced its new, state-of-the-art medical and graduate education building will be named the Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center. Dedicated June 9, it will open in August. Watch the video.