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Illustration for Columbia Magazine by Melinda Beck of a hand covered in pandemic-related words

Spring/Summer 2020

Spring/Summer 2020 cover of Columbia Magazine, "The Virus that Changed the World," with artwork by Melinda Beck
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How to Stop the Next Pandemic Before It Starts

Top virus hunter W. Ian Lipkin develops a plan for a global disease-alert system.

Features

Health & Medicine

Staying Sane in a Pandemic-Stricken World

A Columbia psychologist and anxiety expert explains the impulse to “panic buy,” and how to satisfy our need to feel in control

Health & Medicine

Why Our Planet is a Breeding Ground for Emerging Diseases

Experts say habitat destruction and climate change are factors

Alumni

Zen and the Art of Honeybee Maintenance

Eli Lichter-Marck ’08CC, a California beekeeper, went searching for purpose and truth. He also found sweetness and light

Health & Medicine

Meet the Expert Who Has Studied Handwashing For More Than 40 Years

Elaine Larson, a professor emerita of nursing research and epidemiology, breaks down a hygiene essential

Alumni

Coming Out in New York

Indian journalist Ankur Paliwal '15JRN reflects on how Columbia and New York City changed the course of his life

On Campus

The Smart Person’s Guide to Aging

How EPIC, an organization of retired professors and administrators, helps its members keep active and stay curious in their senior years

On Campus

Raising Strong Sexual Citizens

Two social scientists discuss their groundbreaking research on consent, power, and assault on Columbia's campus

Health & Medicine

Understanding the Three Types of Loneliness

Gerontologist Linda P. Fried discusses the unique mental stress of social isolation on the elderly

Health & Medicine

Pandemic Highlights Urgent Need for Long-Term Vaccine Development

Pioneering AIDS researcher David D. Ho joins fight against COVID-19

Health & Medicine

The Unique Challenges of Fighting COVID-19 in Africa

A Columbia-based center deploys strategies learned from fighting HIV and Ebola

Health & Medicine

How COVID-19 Exposed the Ugliness of Health Injustice

The virus was said to be an indiscriminate killer. The numbers say otherwise

College Walk

On Campus

Silence in the Quads

The cancellation of classes — and commencement — has left the Columbia campus eerily empty

On Campus

5 Online Offerings from Columbia and Beyond

Stream, listen, and network from your home

Arts & Humanities

Shakespeare With a Twist

Local students attend a Columbia School of the Arts performance of Twelfth Night

Books

When Columbia’s President Ran for US President

100 years ago, Nicholas Murray Butler wanted to go to Washington. It didn’t turn out well

Health & Medicine

Engineers ...and Librarians! to the Rescue

Columbia staff and students get creative in combating a shortage of face masks

Health & Medicine

Future Nurses on Call

Columbia nursing students and faculty nurse practitioners confront a new reality

Explorations

Arts & Humanities

Can Progressives Claim Religious-Liberty Exemptions, Too?

A new report details how liberals are stealing a page from Christian conservatives’ playbook

Arts & Humanities

The Hidden Costs of Corporate Tax Breaks

They rarely deliver the broad economic benefits they promise, finds a new study

Science & Technology

7 Discoveries from Columbia Scientists

Bearded dragons may shed light on sleep disorders, and other research news

Health & Medicine

Toxic Alzheimer’s Proteins Exposed in New Detail

Findings from Columbia researchers may open the door for new preventive treatments

Science & Technology

The Unexpected Payback of a 33-Year-Old Climate Treaty 

The Montreal Protocol saved the ozone. It’s also slowing global warming

Science & Technology

Why Butterfly Wings are Even Cooler Than You Think!

Science reveals how the insects' paper-thin wings withstand the heat of the sun

Network

Arts & Humanities

Designing Your Home for Working From Home

Architect Donald M. Rattner '79CC explains how to style your creative workspace

Alumni

Using Data Science to Tailor the Perfect Fit

Laws of Motion, founded by Carly Bigi '17BUS, creates clothes that look good on every body

Alumni

4 Startups for 4-Legged Friends

With offerings from health insurance to organic dog food, alumni entrepreneurs are taking on the pet industry

Alumni

What You Should Know About Getting (and Removing) a Tattoo

Norman Goldstein ’55CC, a retired dermatologist and a body-art expert, weighs in

Science & Technology

Houses Fit for Life on Mars

Architects Jeffrey Montes '15GSAPP and Christopher Botham '16GSAPP are designing your home — in outer space

Alumni

Amanda Seales, Robert A. Katzmann, and Other Alumni in the News

Columbians making headlines

Books

Books

3 New Young-Adult Novels by Columbia Alumni

These new books have everything that makes the YA genre great — escapism, fantasy, romance, and a hearty dose of nostalgia

Books

How to Get That Dream Job

Reynold Levy ’73LAW gives advice on building a career that offers both professional and personal satisfaction

Books

6 Great Books to Read This Summer

New and noteworthy releases from Columbia alumni authors

Books

Review: "Until the End of Time"

By Brian Greene

Books

Review: "The Splendid and the Vile"

By Erik Larson ’78JRN 

Books

Review: "Sharks in the Time of Saviors"

By Kawai Strong Washburn ’08SIPA

Bulletin

On Campus

Scholarships Established for Displaced Students

Columbia Global Centers to provide financial assistance to students who have had their education interrupted

On Campus

Columbia to Create Climate School

The new school will serve as the University's “central location for climate research and teaching"

On Campus

Columbia's School of General Studies Launches Dual-Degree Program With Tel Aviv University

Students in the program, which is focused in the humanities and social sciences, will receive a Bachelor's from each institution

On Campus

Three New Members Appointed to Columbia's Board of Trustees

The Board welcomes Dean Dakolias ’89SEAS, Jonathan Rosand ’89CC, ’94PS, and Fermi Wang ’91SEAS

On Campus

Columbia Offers New Dual Master’s in Islamic Studies

Students will begin their studies at Columbia, finish at Aga Khan University in London, and earn degrees from both institutions

Health & Medicine

Columbia Alumni Associations in Asia Offer Aid and Support

Members of Columbia’s vast Chinese alumni network recently donated PPE and cash

Health & Medicine

Armed With Overdose Meds, Columbia Students Save Lives

In the span of less than a year, five students have administered naloxone to overdose victims

On Campus

The Nordic Path to Sustainability

Finnish prime minster Sanna Marin visited Columbia earlier this year

Rare Finds

On Campus

The First Pulitzer Prize

Joseph Pulitzer, the man behind the awards for journalism, literature, drama, and music, spared no expense when it came to his own writing desk

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