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Fall 2023

Fall 2023 cover of Columbia Magazine with photo of President Minouche Shafik
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Get to Know Minouche Shafik, Columbia’s Twentieth President

She’s a top economist, an expert on international development, a baroness, and a global citizen. How will she lead Columbia?

Features

The Secrets of Black Rock Forest
Black Rock Forest in Upstate New York
Science & Technology

The Secrets of Black Rock Forest

At an Upstate New York nature preserve, Columbia researchers are decoding the natural world in order to conserve it

Meet the Producers Behind Some of Broadway’s Biggest Hits
Broadway Producers Jill Furman, Barbara Whitman, and Hal Luftig
Arts & Humanities

Meet the Producers Behind Some of Broadway’s Biggest Hits

These three Columbia alumni have brought to life critically-acclaimed shows from Hamilton to A Strange Loop to Kinky Boots

Mud, Dung, Banana Fiber: Why Natural Building Materials Are Making a Comeback
Furniture made from natural building materials in Paris
Science & Technology

Mud, Dung, Banana Fiber: Why Natural Building Materials Are Making a Comeback

Columbia researchers led by Lola Ben-Alon are looking to the ancient past for greener, cleaner alternatives to concrete and steel

Christopher Payne Captures the Unexpected Beauty of American Factories
Self-portrait of photographer Christopher Payne in front of 1 train
Arts & Humanities

Christopher Payne Captures the Unexpected Beauty of American Factories

The industrial photographer’s new book, Made in America, celebrates the rich history and fresh promise of US manufacturing

College Walk

The Many Jobs of Columbia’s President
Every president of Columbia University since 1754
On Campus

The Many Jobs of Columbia’s President

Charters and Statutes, the University’s administrative rulebook, outlines the duties and responsibilities of the office

Historian Beverly Gage Spies on J. Edgar Hoover
Illustration of Beverly Gage, biographer of J. Edgar Hoover, by Zoe van Dijk
Arts & Humanities

Historian Beverly Gage Spies on J. Edgar Hoover

The author of G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century wins two major prizes for her detective work

6 ‘Likable’ Instagram Photos Taken at Columbia
A tree with fall foliage in front of Butler Library at Columbia
On Campus

6 ‘Likable’ Instagram Photos Taken at Columbia

Some of our favorite pics from the University’s feed in the past year

Stargaze with Columbia Astronomers
Members of Columbia Astronomy Public Outreach stargazing on campus
Science & Technology

Stargaze with Columbia Astronomers

Columbia Astronomy Public Outreach wants everyone to experience the wonders of the universe

Explorations

Pot Use Linked to Depression, and Other Science News
Marijuana leaf over light green background
Health & Medicine

Pot Use Linked to Depression, and Other Science News

The latest research from Columbia

It Takes a Flock: What Songbirds Can Teach Us about Strong Bonds
A group of superb starlings in grass
Science & Technology

It Takes a Flock: What Songbirds Can Teach Us about Strong Bonds

Columbia scientists shed new light on how superb starling communities survive and thrive

Is America in Moral Decline?
Graph showing decline
Science & Technology

Is America in Moral Decline?

Columbia researchers say the actual data on decency will surprise you

Multivitamins Help Prevent Memory Loss, Finds Major Study
image of brain made of multivitamins
Health & Medicine

Multivitamins Help Prevent Memory Loss, Finds Major Study

Columbia researchers discover evidence that the supplements may increase brain function in older adults

Survey: 3 out of 4 Chinese-Americans Experience Racism
Families celebrating the Chinese New Year in Manhattan
Science & Technology

Survey: 3 out of 4 Chinese-Americans Experience Racism

A surge of prejudice that emerged in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic does not seem to be abating

Network

How to Pay Less for a Funeral
Scott Ginsberg and Joshua Siegel at the Titan Caskets warehouse
Alumni

How to Pay Less for a Funeral

Titan Casket, a direct-to-consumer startup, promises to ease the burden of burial costs

5 True-Crime and Investigative Podcasts Worth Bingeing
Podcasts Wind of Change, The Radio Murders, Welcome to Your Fantasy, Drunk Women Solving Crime, Mother Country Radicals
Alumni

5 True-Crime and Investigative Podcasts Worth Bingeing

These gripping series from Columbia alumni broadcasters will keep you hitting the play button

The Real Reason why Cars Are More Dangerous for Women
Illustration by Simoul Alva of female crash-test dummies in and around car
Alumni

The Real Reason why Cars Are More Dangerous for Women

Drive US Forward, founded by Maria Weston Kuhn ’23CC, is fighting for more accurate female crash-test dummies

9 Neat Products from Columbia Alumni Entrepreneurs
9 products by Columbia Alumni
Alumni

9 Neat Products from Columbia Alumni Entrepreneurs

Innovative items you never knew you needed

How to Fight Self-Imposed Ageism and Energize Your Retirement
Photo of two older men jumping into a lake while holding hands
Books

How to Fight Self-Imposed Ageism and Energize Your Retirement

Michael Clinton ’21SPS invites us to think about midlife as a time of new opportunities and personal growth

Ben Vinson, Ana Almanzar, and Other Columbians in the News
Ben Vinson, president of Howard University
Alumni

Ben Vinson, Ana Almanzar, and Other Columbians in the News

Alumni making headlines

Books

Review: Disruptions
Cover of Disruptions of Steven Millhauser
Books

Review: Disruptions

By Steven Millhauser ’65CC

The Weird, Miraculous Evolution of the Female Body
Eve-concept-3.jpg
Books

The Weird, Miraculous Evolution of the Female Body

In Eve, Cat Bohannon ’02SOA, ’22GSAS argues that medical science needs to wake up and focus on women

Why Music Is a Time Machine to the Past
Illustration of Jeremy Eichler by Richard A. Chance
Books

Why Music Is a Time Machine to the Past

In Time’s Echo, Jeremy Eichler ’15GSAS explores the myriad connections between music and memory

6 of the Best New Books by Columbia Authors
2023 FALL READING LIST covers
Books

6 of the Best New Books by Columbia Authors

From powerful memoir to page-turning fiction

Review: Loot
Cover of Loot by Tania James
Books

Review: Loot

By Tania James ’06SOA

Klancy Miller Celebrates Black Chefs with For the Culture
Edna Lewis, Yewande Komolafe, Klancy Miller, and Carla Hall
Books

Klancy Miller Celebrates Black Chefs with For the Culture

The pastry chef and recipe developer releases a gorgeously illustrated new book 

Bulletin

Center for Precision Psychiatry Launched with $75M Grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation
Sander Markx, Joseph Gogos, and Steven A. Kushner
On Campus

Center for Precision Psychiatry Launched with $75M Grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation

The center will support research into the causes and treatment of mental illness 

Obama Oral-History Project Releases First Interviews
Barack Obama standing in a field with Obama with farmer Joe Del Bosque, who was interviewed for the oral-history project
On Campus

Obama Oral-History Project Releases First Interviews

The conversations recount the Obama administration’s efforts to address climate change

Daphna Shohamy Named Director and CEO of Zuckerman Institute
Daphna Shohamy
On Campus

Daphna Shohamy Named Director and CEO of Zuckerman Institute

She leads the institute alongside founding codirector Richard Axel

Claire Shipman and David Greenwald to Lead Trustees
Claire Shipman and David Greenwald
On Campus

Claire Shipman and David Greenwald to Lead Trustees

They assumed their new leadership roles on September 1

Columbia and NYC Parks Team Up to Tackle Toxic Algae Blooms
Algae in a pond in Morningside Park
Science & Technology

Columbia and NYC Parks Team Up to Tackle Toxic Algae Blooms

Researchers will study a pond in Morningside Park 

Christine Kim Garcia Named Director of Columbia Precision Medicine Initiative
Christine Garcia
On Campus

Christine Kim Garcia Named Director of Columbia Precision Medicine Initiative

She succeeds the initiative’s founding director, Tom Maniatis

Backstory

Saluting Marie Tharp, the Trailblazing Scientist Whose Maps Shook the World
Scientists Marie Tharp and Bruce Heezen working on maps
Science & Technology

Saluting Marie Tharp, the Trailblazing Scientist Whose Maps Shook the World

The Columbia cartographer’s discovery of undersea rift valleys helped seal the theory of continental drift

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