News | Page 15 | Graduate School of Medical Sciences

Finding May Lead to New Treatments for Neurofibromatosis

Common symptoms of the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), including skeletal fragility and the loss of bone mass, may be treatable with an existing anti-cancer drug, according to a study from researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine. The findings reveal the potential for an expanding array of therapeutic options for patients who have this difficult-to-treat condition.

The study, published Nov. 11 in Nature Communications, uncovered a signaling...

a model of how signals can find their target genes

Hidden Code Activates Genes That Rapidly Respond to Pathogen Threats

A code discovered in DNA packaging proteins enables the rapid expression of genes needed to fight immediate threats, a finding that may pave the way for new treatments for cancer and inflammatory diseases, according to a study by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine.

A study published in Nature on July 22 found that when a chemical tag composed of a phosphate group is added to H3.3, one of the spool-like histone proteins that condense DNA and control...

Class of 2020 Celebrates with Virtual Commencement

Video of Weill Cornell Medicine Class of 2020 Celebrates with Virtual Commencement

Like more than half of Weill Cornell Medicine’s Class of 2020, Dr. Kevin Ackerman chose to graduate early to be of service to New York City’s healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the quick transition to working in the field in April, he relished the opportunity Commencement afforded to mark the end of his medical education and reflect on why he chose medicine as his career.

“...

Dr. Kornelia Polyak Wins Weill Cornell Graduate School Alumni Award

Dr. Kornelia Polyak, Ph.D. ’95, a professor of medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, has been awarded the Weill Cornell Graduate School Alumni Award of Distinction.

Graduate school alumni have been recognized with this award since 1997 for their outstanding contributions to biomedical research in education, focusing on science and scholarship, leadership, mentoring and teaching, and service to society.

“I’m very honored...

Graduate Students Honored in Virtual Convocation Ceremony

The Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences honored the Class of 2020 for their academic achievements during a virtual convocation ceremony on May 27. Students and their families and friends watched a livestream of the event, as graduate school faculty announced the recipients of special awards and prizes.

“Convocation this year certainly looks different than our normal celebration, but with the current challenges of COVID-19, it is all the more important to recognize the...

Joining the Healthcare Ranks: Graduating During a Pandemic

The prospect of residency typically brings jitters to newly minted doctors as they prepare to start the next phase of their medical training, and the level and scope of their patient care responsibilities increases. But the transition has become far more complex with numerous unknowns surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which will drive changes in clinical care and in their residency training. In a moment of deep uncertainty about the future course of the new coronavirus’ spread and...

Dr. Rache Simmons Named One of Crain’s Inaugural Notable Women in Talent Resources

Dr. Rache Simmons, associate dean for diversity and inclusion at Weill Cornell Medicine, has been named one of Crain’s inaugural Notable Women in Talent Resources in the Greater New York City area.

For its inaugural list, Crain’s New York Business selected 62 honorees—women executives working in human resources, talent retention and acquisition, and diversity and inclusion—to celebrate them for their varied achievements.

“I’m very flattered and honored to have been selected for...

Students gathered together to take a photo at their white coat ceremony

White Coat Ceremony Kicks off Careers for Physician Assistant Trainees

TylerAnne Valerio’s love of biology, pathology and anatomy left her with “a fascination for all things medicine,” she said, and a desire to experience the unique opportunities physician assistants have to switch between specialties. It was her work as a volunteer EMT that inspired her to be in a helping profession.

“I wanted to become a PA in order to positively impact the lives of others in ways I believe are only possible through medicine,” she said. “I hope to help patients when...

A crowd of students and physicians posing for a photo while holding a banner

Health Hackathon Invites Diverse Talent Pool to Put AI and Machine Learning to Work for Patients

Everyone agrees: When it comes to healthcare, it's important for patients and their caretakers to have access to medical records, but that's often easier said than done. Medical information can be fragmented across healthcare providers, making it challenging for patients and their families to have a comprehensive view of their healthcare needs. Six students from Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Columbia University and City Tech thought there should be a tool to help, and banded...

Four people standing together, with the middle two holding an award

Renowned Clinician-Scientist Dr. Barbara Hempstead Awarded Joan and Sanford I. Weill Exemplary Achievement Award

Video of Weill Cornell Medicine Honors Dr. Barbara Hempstead

Dr. Barbara Hempstead, dean of the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, has been awarded Weill Cornell Medicine’s Joan and Sanford I. Weill Exemplary Achievement Award.

The Weill Award was established in 2018 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the medical college’s renaming in honor of the institution’s foremost benefactors, Joan and Sanford I. Weill. The Weill Award recognizes outstanding...