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Winter 2019-20

Winter 2019-20 cover of Columbia Magazine, with illustration by Tim O'Brien of Alma Mater statue sledding down Low Library steps
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The Miraculous Beauty and Healing Power of Ordinary Bacteria

Biomedical engineer Tal Danino finds both art and new cancer-fighting therapies in Earth's most abundant lifeforms.

Features

Books

Why the US-China Trade War is Unwise and Unwinnable

Economist and Nobel laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz explains the hidden weaknesses of the American economy

Arts & Humanities

Merge Records and the Explosion of American Indie Rock

Mac McCaughan ’90CC, frontman of the band Superchunk, has been shaping independent music since 1989. He’s never sold out

Alumni

5 Women Entrepreneurs Making the World a Better Place

These ambitious alumnae are using their ingenuity and goodwill to make meaningful change around the globe

Books

Genius at Work: How Franz Boas Created the Field of Cultural Anthropology

A century ago, when people believed that human potential was determined by race and gender, a maverick Columbia professor decided everyone was wrong

College Walk

On Campus

The Conversion of St. Paul’s

Scaffolding around Columbia’s most breathtaking structure comes down — and all eyes look up

On Campus

Winter 2019-20 Short List

Things to do on and around campus

On Campus

The Columbia Vegan Society and the Rise of Plant-Based Culture

You can have your dairy-free, egg-free cake and protect the planet, too

Arts & Humanities

The Case for the Classic Chalkboard

Why some scholars are sticking to slate

Arts & Humanities

Urban History and the Harlem River

A class explores Manhattan’s neglected waterway

Health & Medicine

The Art of "Radical Listening"

Columbia holds a three-day workshop on the healing power of narrative medicine

Explorations

Science & Technology

What Can this Ancient Creature Tell Us about the Human Brain?

The hydra has one of the oldest and most rudimentary nervous systems of any species

Science & Technology

Why Economists Downplay Climate Risks

They’re being too “conservative,” but not in the way you might think

Health & Medicine

Does the US Transplant System Waste too Many Kidneys?

A new study suggests that patients are missing out on viable organs

Science & Technology

An Elevator to the Moon?

Columbia astronomers suggest an alternative to the rocket ship

Science & Technology

7 New Discoveries from Columbia Scientists

Songbirds offer insights into language learning, and other findings

Science & Technology

It’s Snowing …Microplastics

(Another reason to think twice before eating snow)

Health & Medicine

The Secret Life of Bones

Science suggests the skeleton is our most underrated organ

Arts & Humanities

A New Type of Social Currency

Valor y Cambio encourages Puerto Ricans to share their personal stories

Health & Medicine

The Latest on Vaping Risks

Research from Columbia indicates that e-cigarette users are inhaling dangerous amounts of nickel and chromium 

Network

Alumni

Valeria Luiselli, Robert F. Smith, and Other Alumni in the News

Columbians making headlines

Arts & Humanities

3 Podcasts for History Lovers

From Seth Stevenson '11JRN, Tom Meyers '97CC, and Eric Marcus '84JRN, '03GSAPP

Alumni

Time to Talk about Tampons

Jordana Kier ’14BUS, co-founder of Lola, wants us to think differently about feminine-hygiene products

Alumni

The Politician Advocating for Disability Rights in Kenya

Dennitah Ghati ’04SW is fighting for her country’s most vulnerable citizens

Arts & Humanities

So You Think You Can Write a Memoir?

Lilly Dancyger ’12JRN on the art of writing about yourself — and making other people care about your story

Alumni

12 Holiday Gift Ideas from Columbia Entrepreneurs

For the globetrotter, vinyl collector, skin-care enthusiast, and everyone else on your shopping list

Books

The Most Jewish Foods, According to a Jewish Foodie

Alana Newhouse ’00BC, ’02JRN breaks down borscht, bagels, and brisket, and also shares a dessert recipe

Books

Books

Review: "The Illness Lesson"

By Clare Beams ’06SOA (Doubleday)

Books

Review: "Broke"

By Jodie Adams Kirshner ’02JRN, ’06LAW

Books

Review: "In Jerusalem"

By Lis Harris

Health & Medicine

It’s Time to Stop Obsessing about the War on Cancer

Leukemia specialist Azra Raza on why the medical field needs to focus more on early detection

Books

Your Winter 2019-20 Reading List

New and noteworthy releases from alumni and faculty

Bulletin

On Campus

Plato’s Got Company — and Maybe Competition

Students created a banner bearing the names of eight women authors that hung on the façade of Butler Library 

On Campus

Columbia World Projects to Launch Initiatives in Ghana, Uganda

The two new programs are aimed at improving public health and energy access in Africa

On Campus

Housing Gets a Boost

A new research initiative at GSAPP will encourage the design and development of innovative, sustainable, and affordable housing 

On Campus

Homecoming Triumph

The Columbia Lions notched their largest homecoming victory ever this past fall

On Campus

New Center for Quantum Physics Launched

Columbia joins forces with New York City’s Flatiron Institute and Germany’s Max Planck Society 

On Campus

Amy Hungerford to Lead Arts and Sciences

The longtime Yale professor and academic administrator begins her new role on January 1

On Campus

Business School’s New Home Takes Shape

The school’s two new buildings will open in 2022, providing the school nearly twice as much space

On Campus

Power of Three

The women’s cross-country team claimed its third straight Ivy title this fall

On Campus

Muhtar Kent Donates $6M for Conflict-Resolution Program

A major gift for SIPA from the former chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola company 

Rare Finds

Arts & Humanities

A 1960s Synthesizer is Brought Back to Life

Engineers and musicians at Columbia recently revived one of the first modern electronic instruments

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