Columbia University

Engineering employment growth driven by renewable energy, materials science, and biotechnology. Graduate degrees enhance technical expertise, critical thinking, and leadership potential. Columbia University, National University of Singapore, and University of Cambridge offer top engineering programs with strong research emphasis and career development opportunities.

Jeff Weber, a renowned medical oncologist and immunotherapist, passed away at 72. Known for his impactful work in melanoma research, he was a pioneer in cancer immunology and a compassionate mentor. Weber's career spanned prestigious institutions, including NYU Langone and Moffitt Cancer Center, where he significantly advanced melanoma treatment and research.

Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii), Beaver Clan from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, is recognized for expertise in Indigenous and Aboriginal law. He edited the first edition of the Indigenous Law Journal in 2002, earned his LL. from Columbia University, and served as senior advisor to the Government of Ontario. Sanderson holds the Pritchard-Wilson Chair in Law and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, where he advises on Indigenous issues. He was awarded the Ludwik and Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize in 2021 and the University of Toronto’s President’s Impact Award in 2022.

ProJenX, Inc. forms Clinical Advisory Board (ClAB) with experts in ALS and neurodegenerative diseases to guide clinical development of prosetin, a novel brain-penetrant MAP4K inhibitor. Prosetin is being evaluated in Study PRO-101, a Phase 1 trial assessing safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers and ALS participants, with positive early results.

Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals received a $14M NIDA grant for GM-3009, a cardiac-safe ibogaine analog for opioid use disorder treatment, aiming to eliminate ibogaine's cardiovascular risks and prove efficacy in Phase 1/1b trials, marking a potential breakthrough in addiction therapy.

AI is revolutionizing drug development, addressing Eroom’s law by enhancing clinical trials. It aids in trial design, patient recruitment, and data analysis, making trials more efficient and inclusive. Tools like HINT, SPOT, and Trial Pathfinder predict trial success and optimize eligibility criteria. AI also improves patient matching and reduces dropout rates, speeding up the drug approval process.

BioLineRx announced FDA approval of APHEXDA for stem cell mobilization in multiple myeloma, marking a significant advancement. The company is focusing on commercializing APHEXDA in the U.S., with plans for expansion in Asia. Financial results showed increased sales and marketing expenses due to launch activities, with a net loss of $16M for Q3 2023. Upcoming milestones include commercial ramp-up, clinical trials for pancreatic cancer and sickle cell disease, and a bridging study in China.

Heart disease may disrupt melatonin production by damaging the superior cervical ganglion (SCG), linking heart health to sleep disturbances. Research in mice and human tissues shows SCG damage reduces melatonin, affecting sleep. Melatonin treatment reversed effects in mice, suggesting potential for new treatments.

Cancer is becoming the leading cause of death in the U.S., with diagnoses in South Florida expected to rise by 12% by 2030. The Irma and Norman Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center, set to open in 2025, aims to enhance cancer care access and patient experience, featuring advanced treatments, wellness programs, and a healing environment, in partnership with Columbia University.

New research links elevated interferon-alpha levels in blood to chronic Lyme disease symptoms post-antibiotic treatment, suggesting a potential treatment pathway. Despite the study's small scale, it shifts understanding from bacterial persistence to immune response as a cause for lingering symptoms. The need for better diagnostic tests and treatments is emphasized.