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

Puerto Rico's El Yunque National Forest provides important insight into the effect that lack of rainfall has on plant life.

Brus was recognized alongside two other scientists “for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.”

Until now, long-term studies of neighborhood walkability and the risk for obesity-related cancer have been limited. 

The new book Catastrophic Incentives explores why society is underprepared for natural and human-made disasters.

As a zebra finch becomes single-minded about impressing a possible mate, dopamine-releasing brain cells reflect his intentions.

Genome engineering relies on ancient evolutionary advances in primordial bacteria. A new study examines their origins.

A study found that working jobs with moderate or high physical activity is linked to an increased risk of cognitive impairment.

Postdoc Oliver Philcox was also recognized with an early-career award.

A study tracked how tools like ChatGPT mistake nonsense for real language. Can these flaws open new windows on the human brain?

The study could help chemists design better drugs that are more difficult for SARS-CoV-2 to sidestep.

Chia-Ying Lee is building models to improve our understanding of storm risk.

A new Columbia study is the largest cohort study to date on racial and ethnic disparities in postpartum Type 2 diabetes.