Columbia Medicine

A significant amount of #research takes place in universities, “where doctors, scientists, and engineers make critical discoveries that lead to treatments people use every day," says James McKiernan, MD, CEO of ColumbiaDoctors. Every treatment has a journey of discovery.

A story of hope: Jeff Vierstra, living with an ultra-rare form of ALS, is thriving on an experimental therapy under the care of Columbia neurologist Dr. Neil Shneider. Through his research and work with the n-Lorem Foundation, patients with ultra-rare ALS mutations can access personalized therapies that may extend survival via the Silence ALS program. columbiamed.link/4tupXZD

Research means bringing medical strategies to farming challenges. Columbia researchers are collaborating with Texas A&M poultry scientists to determine if far-UVC technology, designed to stop the spread of viruses among people, can also work in agriculture. Research Means #BetterTomorrows. Learn more: columbiamed.link/4slgSS3

More people than ever are being exposed to gambling, making it a normalized part of watching sports. @Columbiapsych’s Dr. Nasir Naqvi calls it a “looming public health crisis,” largely affecting men. He says people with co-occuring psychiatric, or substance use disorders, high impulsivity, or family histories of addiction are especially vulnerable. columbiamed.link/3OqlmZF

A new era in valve care: Doctors at Columbia/NYP are among the first in the U.S. to offer a newly FDA-approved transcatheter device for high-risk patients with severe aortic regurgitation—bringing a minimally invasive option to those who can’t undergo open-heart surgery. columbiacardiology.org/news/new-spin-…

Nearly 800,000 knee replacement procedures are performed each year in the U.S. alone, yet most implants last only 15–20 years. Now, researchers at Columbia (@NadeenChahine, @thehunglab) are working to change that. With support from @ARPA_H, they’re developing a biological total knee implant made from stem cells and biodegradable materials—an innovation that could one day replace traditional metal and plastic devices. Learn more: columbiamed.link/4sjzx0E

If the NOVAKnee implant meets its goals in the preclinical testing stage, the first human clinical trials are projected to begin in 2028. bit.ly/4maAnv2 @columbiabme @ColumbiaMed @NadeenChahine @thehunglab

Aging at home isn’t just about independence, it’s about thriving. Occupational therapy helps older adults stay safe, active, and engaged in daily life. With decades of experience, @columbiaPS' Phyllis Simon shares why prevention and the right support can make all the difference. columbiamed.link/4sjYpW6

CRISPR began as a bacterial defense system billions of years ago. Now scientists (@SternbergLab) have found some microbes rewired it to switch genes on—skirting the usual gene-activation procedure. The discovery opens the door to turning on helpful genes in our gut microbiome to treat GI and other diseases. columbiamed.link/4bQhHfr

Columbia University Fertility Center researchers have developed a near-infrared light technology for early embryos, now in clinical trials to test whether brief red-light exposure improves IVF outcomes. columbiamed.link/4byML4s

A new @ColumbiaMSPH study found that poor and worsening financial well-being in midlife and older age is linked to lower memory scores and faster cognitive decline. The study is among the first to examine the cognitive consequences of poor financial well-being. columbiamed.link/4s01fiH

After seeing the chronic and devastating impact of anorexia nervosa on patients and their families, @ColumbiaPsych's Dr. Alexandra Muratore was inspired to focus her research on using neuroimaging and brain stimulation to develop more effective treatments. columbiamed.link/4uW0z0u

Congratulations to HICCC member Dr. Yiping Han on being elected an @aaas fellow 👏Along with her notable contributions to microbiology, her lab was also the first to report how oral bacteria can stimulate GI cancer. @ColumbiaMed cuimc.columbia.edu/news/yiping-ha…

#ColumbiaMed proudly celebrates the incredible dedication of our physicians this National #DoctorsDay! Their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care and compassion to our patients every day is truly inspiring. As ColumbiaDoctors CEO, Dr. James (Jim) McKiernan, shared: our medical center is amazing because of our amazing doctors! Be sure to thank a doctor today! 💙

Research means improving the lives of sick children. With an ultrasound device designed by Columbia engineers, Columbia doctors can deliver higher concentrations of chemotherapy into brain cancers, safely and painlessly. Ultimately, the technique may transform young lives. Research Means #BetterTomorrows. Learn more: columbiamed.link/4oUJCQM

When stress lingers for days, weeks, or months, it can build up and affect our bodies. Dr. Jeffrey Birk explains how everyday stress is different from chronic stress, how it can impact long-term health, and ways to manage it. columbiamed.link/3PoO2T6

A powerful new real-world data platform could transform how scientists predict and understand Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias (AD/ADRD), reports a new study at #ColumbiaMed, University of Miami and University of Chicago. columbiamed.link/4uO2vYU

What Apple Watch health metrics have you actually found useful? When Dr. Jenn Haythe asked Dr. Isaac George, he shared how he started using his watch during early Covid—tracking heart rate and O₂ while isolated and sick. Over time, he noticed patterns like tachycardia and hypertension. For him, the value is simply awareness. Read/watch more: columbiasurgery.org/news/can-smart…

A new @ColumbiaMSPH researchers and Columbia Scientific Union for the Reduction of Gun Violence (Columbia SURGE) study says tracking shooting-free days (SFD), alongside homicide rates, better captures prevention successes, nonfatal shootings, and meaningful periods of peace. columbiamed.link/4sVQTBa

With AI, it’s now possible for researchers to predict the three-dimensional structures of proteins directly from their amino-acid sequences. columbiamed.link/41pEud2

Match Day 2026 at @ColumbiaPS 🩺💙