Research & Discovery

This page highlights the astonishing amount of scientific discovery happening at Columbia, one of the world’s leading research universities. 

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Clockwise from top left: An iceberg stranded on a submerged rock in northwest Greenland (Karl Zinglersen); homo erectus crania from the Turkana Rift (John Rowan); a mosquito feeding (Alex Wild); a shell of thick gas and dust (red) expelled from the outer layers of a star as its core collapses into a black hole. The inner regions show a heated ball of gas (white) continuing to fall into the central black hole. (Keith Miller, Caltech/IPAC - SELab)
Columbia University Discoveries in 2025-26 to Know About

Here are some of the top scientific research findings of the past academic year.


 

RECENT STORIES

The Columbia engineers who developed the new technique are working with campus oncologists to bring their work to patients.

Columbia researchers have found a molecule that rouses dormant breast cancer cells, and a way to suppress it.

A study is shedding new light on how the brain identifies familiar individuals and recalls past experiences with them.

They were recognized for their contributions in economics, mathematics, and engineering.

The funded projects span fields ranging from astronomy to epidemiology, and climate change to law.

The discovery that a lipid helps induce cell death could improve treatments for certain cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.

Laura Kaufman, the new chair of the chemistry department, first came to Columbia as an undergraduate.

Omid Cohensedgh's childhood experiences inspired him to enter the field of medicine.

A Columbia study is the first to analyze homicide trends spanning two decades among women aged 25 to 44.

The award is given annually to an NIH HEAL Initiative researcher who demonstrates research excellence, supports broad dissemination of key research, and is a leader in the scientific community.

A new study suggest that a common medical practice for patients who have suffered strokes should stop.

National trends underscore a public health need to broaden outpatient mental health care access.