In Photos: Claire Shipman Meets With Faculty Working on Critical Research Efforts
Columbia University’s research mission is central to its identity and critical to the country and world beyond our campus.
In a recent series of visits at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Columbia Climate School, Acting President Claire Shipman met with faculty, staff, and students across disciplines who are advancing bold solutions to today’s most urgent challenges.
From pioneering cancer immunotherapy and reducing stroke disparities to confronting the climate crisis, these conversations highlight the deep connection between Columbia’s research excellence and its public impact.
The visits also underscore a renewed commitment to protecting and strengthening the University’s research enterprise. Our global future depends on it.
Below, take a glimpse of Acting President Shipman’s visits with Columbia research leaders and learn more about their work to advance the lives of patients and communities locally and globally.
Acting President Shipman met with Columbia Climate School Dean Alexis Abramson to discuss the dean’s first months in her role and the exciting, multidisciplinary research underway to confront the climate crisis.
Abramson is a member of the newly formed Presidential Task Force on Columbia’s Research Mission, which is focused on ensuring Columbia’s research enterprise has the direction and funding it needs for the long term, in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Acting President Shipman spoke with Michel Sadelain, a pioneer of CAR-T immunotherapy at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, about the work he and his team are doing to make this groundbreaking approach to cancer treatment safer, more effective, and broaden its use to different types of cancers.
Protecting Columbia’s research mission is critical, not just for our University, but for patients and their loved ones who will benefit from the life-saving treatments we develop and refine right here in our labs.
Dr. Olajide Williams, professor of neurology and vice dean of Community Health at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Acting President Shipman discussed the research Dr. Williams leads in stroke disparities and community-based behavioral interventions.
Columbia is honored to have Dr. Williams as a member of the new Working Group on Strategic Engagement and Institutional Credibility, which is tasked with developing new strategies for how the University can communicate its research values, mission, and public impact more effectively to ensure people know what we accomplish on our campus.
At the end of her visits, Acting President Shipman and Melanie Bernitz, interim executive vice president for University Life and senior vice president for Columbia Health, stopped to chat with students on College Walk as Commencement preparations took place. Students are both important participants in Columbia research efforts and also benefit from being able to work alongside researchers at the cutting edge of their fields.