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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

Why the US-China Trade War is Unwise and Unwinnable
Animated illustration by James Yang
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

Merge Records and the Explosion of American Indie Rock
Mac McCaughan, founder of Merge Records and frontman of Superchunk
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

5 Women Entrepreneurs Making the World a Better Place
Atti Worku, founder and CEO of Seeds of Africa
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

Genius at Work: How Franz Boas Created the Field of Cultural Anthropology
Archive photo of Franz Boas reenacting a Kwakiutl ceremonial dance to assist Smithsonian Institution sculptors building a diorama
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

The Conversion of St. Paul’s
Inside of the dome of St. Paul's Chapel at Columbia University, after restoration
On Campus

The Conversion of St. Paul’s

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

Winter 2019-20 Short List
Simone Dinnerstein photographed by Lisa Marie Mazzucco
On Campus

Winter 2019-20 Short List

Things to do on and around campus

The Columbia Vegan Society and the Rise of Plant-Based Culture
Illustration of Columbia lion mascot made out of fruits and vegetables
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

The Case for the Classic Chalkboard
Chalkboard writing of Columbia physics student Sahar Khan
Arts & Humanities

The Case for the Classic Chalkboard

Why some scholars are sticking to slate

Urban History and the Harlem River
The High Bridge, over the Harlem River
Arts & Humanities

Urban History and the Harlem River

A class explores Manhattan’s neglected waterway

The Art of "Radical Listening"
Illustration by Anna Parini of doctor listening to a patient
Health & Medicine

The Art of "Radical Listening"

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

Explorations

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

Why Economists Downplay Climate Risks
Photo of field during drought
Science & Technology

Why Economists Downplay Climate Risks

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

Does the US Transplant System Waste too Many Kidneys?
Photo of surgeons performing surgery
Health & Medicine

Does the US Transplant System Waste too Many Kidneys?

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

An Elevator to the Moon?
An illustration of an elevator to the moon, from a proposal by Columbia astronomers Zephyr Penoyre and Emily Sandford
Science & Technology

An Elevator to the Moon?

Columbia astronomers suggest an alternative to the rocket ship

7 New Discoveries from Columbia Scientists
Finch
Science & Technology

7 New Discoveries from Columbia Scientists

Songbirds offer insights into language learning, and other findings

It’s Snowing …Microplastics
4.19_EXPL_Campus-Snow
Science & Technology

It’s Snowing …Microplastics

(Another reason to think twice before eating snow)

The Secret Life of Bones
4.19_EXPL-bones_R2
Health & Medicine

The Secret Life of Bones

Science suggests the skeleton is our most underrated organ

A New Type of Social Currency
People exchanging "Pesos of Puerto Rico" as part of Columbia professor Frances Negrón-Muntaner's "Valor y Cambio" project
Arts & Humanities

A New Type of Social Currency

Valor y Cambio encourages Puerto Ricans to share their personal stories

The Latest on Vaping Risks
Young woman with purple hair and winter attire vaping with an electronic cigarette
Health & Medicine

The Latest on Vaping Risks

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

Network

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

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

Columbians making headlines

3 Podcasts for History Lovers
Podcasts
Arts & Humanities

3 Podcasts for History Lovers

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

Time to Talk about Tampons
Jordana Kier, co-founder of Lola
Alumni

Time to Talk about Tampons

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

The Politician Advocating for Disability Rights in Kenya
Dennitah Ghati, a disability advocate in Kenya, speaking at an event in Kenya
Alumni

The Politician Advocating for Disability Rights in Kenya

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

So You Think You Can Write a Memoir?
Lilly Dancyger
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

12 Holiday Gift Ideas from Columbia Entrepreneurs
Farfalle earrings from Chefanie, skin oil from Fur, suitcase from Away, scarf from Grete
Alumni

12 Holiday Gift Ideas from Columbia Entrepreneurs

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

The Most Jewish Foods, According to a Jewish Foodie
Sufganiyot from the book "The 100 Most Jewish Foods" by Alana Newhouse
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

Review: "The Illness Lesson"
Cover of the Illness Lesson by Clare Beams
Books

Review: "The Illness Lesson"

By Clare Beams ’06SOA (Doubleday)

Review: Broke
Cover of Broke by Jodie Adams Kirshner
Books

Review: Broke

By Jodie Adams Kirshner ’02JRN, ’06LAW

Review: "In Jerusalem"
Cover of "In Jerusalem" by Lis Harris
Books

Review: "In Jerusalem"

By Lis Harris

It’s Time to Stop Obsessing about the War on Cancer
Illustration of Azra Raza by Jonny Ruzzo
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

Your Winter 2019-20 Reading List
"America is Immigrants" by Sara Novic, "Little Weirds" by Jenny Slate, "Transaction Man" by Nicholas Lemann, "She Said" by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, "A Republic, If You Can Keep It" by Neil Gorsuch,"The Second Founding" by Eric Foner
Books

Your Winter 2019-20 Reading List

New and noteworthy releases from alumni and faculty

Bulletin

Plato’s Got Company — and Maybe Competition
Women writers' names on Columbia Butler Library, over names of male writers
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 

Columbia World Projects to Launch Initiatives in Ghana, Uganda
People in Ghana installing a low-emissions stove
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

Housing Gets a Boost
Rendering of a housing complex by Alexandros Howard Prince-Wright and Yoonwon kang
On Campus

Housing Gets a Boost

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

Homecoming Triumph
Columbia Lions football team at 2019 homecoming
On Campus

Homecoming Triumph

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

New Center for Quantum Physics Launched
Graphic of atoms
On Campus

New Center for Quantum Physics Launched

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

Amy Hungerford to Lead Arts and Sciences
Amy Hungerford
On Campus

Amy Hungerford to Lead Arts and Sciences

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

Business School’s New Home Takes Shape
Construction site of Ronald O. Perelman Center for Business Innovation at Columbia University
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

Power of Three
Columbia women's cross-country team, 2019
On Campus

Power of Three

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

Muhtar Kent Donates $6M for Conflict-Resolution Program
Muhtar Kent
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

A 1960s Synthesizer is Brought Back to Life
Restored vintage Buchla synthesizer, 100 series, at Columbia University
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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