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Recent News

resident memory T cells

Weill Cornell Medicine researchers have discovered that PD-1—a molecule best known for putting the brakes on immune cells—also plays a critical role in helping T cells become long-term immune defenders in the skin. Early during infection, PD-1 acts like a steering wheel, guiding T cells to become protective resident memory T cells (TRM) that stay in place. These cells remember invading germs or cancer and quickly mount a response if that enemy reappears.

The preclinical...

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lymphatic vessels

A protein called PAR1 helps lymphatic vessels structurally transform to boost fluid drainage and support healing when the lungs are injured according to researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine. Injury—whether by infection, toxins, or trauma—can cause fluid buildup in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. In response, the body’s lymphatic system, a network of vessels, tissues and organs, ramps up to clear inflammation. Excess fluid called lymph is removed from the body's tissues and returned...

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Neurons stained for lipid droplets

While glucose, or sugar, is a well-known fuel for the brain, Weill Cornell Medicine researchers have demonstrated that electrical activity in synapses—the junctions between neurons where communication occurs—can lead to the use of lipid or fat droplets as an energy source.

The study, published July 1 in Nature Metabolism, challenges “the long-standing dogma that the brain doesn’t burn fat,” said principal investigator...

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Upcoming Seminars

October 29, 2025 - 2:30pm
Targeted Hyperactivation of Oncogenic Signaling as Therapeutic Strategy in B-Cell Malignancies Markus Müschen, MD, PhD Arthur H. and Isabel Bunker Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Immunobiology Chief, Division of Basic Science, Yale Cancer Center Director, Center of Molecular and Cellular Oncology Yale University New Haven, CT Host: Dr. Andrew Intlekofer Tea Time: 1:15 PM

Thesis Defenses

Sakila Z. Nazia
Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 1:00pm

Sakila Z. Nazia, MD-PhD Student
Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis

Chairperson: Dr. Carl Nathan
Major Sponsor: Dr. Kyu Rhee
Minor Sponsors: Dr. Sabine Ehrt and Dr. Jeremy Rock

Jennifer Elizabeth Endress
Date: Monday, August 25, 2025 - 12:00pm

Jennifer Elizabeth Endress

Biochemistry and Structural Biology

Chairperson: Dr. Xuejun Jiang
Major Sponsor: Dr. John Blenis
Minor Sponsors: Dr. Lukas Dow and Dr. Pengbo Zhou

Naira E. Abou-Ghali
Date: Monday, August 25, 2025 - 4:00pm

Naira E. Abou-Ghali
Pharmacology

Chairperson: Dr. Lorraine Gudas
Major Sponsor: Dr. Paraskevi Giannakakou
Minor Sponsors: Dr. Jacob Geri and Dr. Dawid Nowak

Additional Member: Dr. David Nanus (Weill Cornell Medicine)

Student Research

David Hoyos
The 2024 Hertz Fellows will address the most pressing challenges facing our nation.

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2024 NSF GRFP Awardees
Congratulations to the 2024 NSF GRFP awardees and honorable mentions from our Weill Cornell Grad School community.

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Phrma Foundation Photo
Congratulations to Aakanksha Rajiv Kapoor | PhRMA Foundation Fellowship in Drug Discovery, awarded January 2023 | BCMB Allied PhD Program | Mentored by Vivek Mittal at Weill Cornell Medicine | “Determine Mechanisms by Which Club Cell Secreted Proteins Inhibit Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells to Increase Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer

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