Events

The Office of Research Initiatives and Development is pleased to continue, Funding Forward: Strategies for Securing Research Funding—a webinar series designed to enable faculty and researchers with practical tools to strengthen their funding efforts. This series features sessions on engaging with foundations, industry partners, and government agencies, along with strategies for using funding tools and internal resources. We invite you to join us for our upcoming session: Funding Forward: A Conversation with Health Sciences Foundation Leaders and Grant Makers Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 Time: 12:30–1:30 PM Place: Virtual (Zoom – link provided upon registration) Register Here This session will spotlight how foundations in the health sciences are approaching grantmaking in today’s challenging climate and provide insights into the opportunities and expectations shaping this funding landscape. The conversation will explore strategies for building successful approaches and help researchers strengthen their engagement with health-focused foundations. Panelists Sindy Escobar-Alvarez, PhD – Program Director, Medical Research Program, Doris Duke Foundation Irfan Hasan – Vice President, Programs and Grants, New York Community Trust Victoria McGovern, PhD – Senior Program Officer, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Moderator Takeisha Hall-Ruff – Senior Executive Director of Development, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center Panel Hosts Dimitra Koutsantoni, PhD – Executive Director of University Corporate and Foundation Relations, Office of Alumni and Development Venessa Manzano – Senior Director of Development, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center While the discussion will focus on health care and medical research, all members of the Columbia community with an interest in foundation funding are welcome to attend. This session is co-hosted with Columbia’s Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement. 

Location: The Ambassador of Scarsdale, 9 Saxon Wood Road, White Plains, NY 10605 Please join us on Friday, October 17 at the Ambassador of Scarsdale at 10am for an educational forum, Spotlight on Breast Health. Our guests, medical staff from Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will present the latest information on diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, including breast reconstruction. Light refreshments will be served. Open to: community members who want to learn more about breast health, community professionals, providers, and caregivers who care for seniors. This series is sponsored by Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the Northwest and Central Regions of Livable Communities, SUNY Westchester Community College, and Westchester Jewish Community Services. Register Now

The Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center presents 2025 Marilyn R. Lindenauer Distinguished Speaker Series Topic: Aging and Developmental Disabilities Date: Thursday, October 23rd, 2025 Time: 5:30PM-6:30PM (Reception to follow) Venue: CUIMC Faculty Club, 630 W 168th St, 4/F, New York, NY 10032 Aging with cerebral palsy (CP) is an important conversation for our community, as more people with CP are now adults than children due to advances in medical care. While CP is recognized as the most common childhood-onset physical disability, adults with CP face lifelong challenges, including chronic pain, premature aging, and mental health concerns. Our panel discussion will begin with an overview of the latest data and updates on adult CP care by guest speaker, Edward A. Hurvitz, MD, followed by lived experiences shared by Javier Santiago, an adult with CP, and insights from Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center clinicians who care for families living with CP. Together, the panelists will discuss the realities of aging with CP, highlight resources, and what the future of care might look like. The session will conclude with an open Q&A, and we encourage audience members to bring their questions and stories to share. Although the focus is on aging, the discussion will also be valuable for families of children and young adults with CP who can benefit from the lessons and perspectives shared. If you have specific questions or topics you'd like to discuss, please email us: cpcenter@cumc.columbia.edu Invited Speaker Edward A. Hurvitz, MD, Professor, Adult & Pediatric Clinical Faculty, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Panelists Javier Santiago, MPA, Adult with CP Joshua E. Hyman, MD, Clinical Director, Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery Agnes H. Whitaker, MD, Psychiatrist, Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center, Department of Psychiatry Eduardo del Rosario, PhD, FNP-BC, Family Nurse Practitioner, Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center, Department of Neurology Lisa Yoon, PT, DPT, PCS, Physical Therapist, Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center, Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine  Moderator Jason B. Carmel, MD, PhD, Executive Director, Weinberg Family CP Center, Department of Neurology This is an in-person event. Please reserve your seat to attend.

Erik Harden Senior Clinical Research Manager The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) David Hanauer, MD, MS University of Michigan Medical School  Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics Clinical Associate Professor of Learning Health Science Medical School and Clinical Associate Professor of Information Title: An introduction to the EMERSE text searching and natural language processing tool for electronic health record notes. Description: This talk will introduce participants to EMERSE, an easy-to-use search engine with natural language processing capabilities for electronic health record (EHR) notes.  EMERSE is available at nearly 20 academic health centers across the country, including at Columbia’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC). EMERSE is useful for identifying cohorts based on anything mentioned in the clinical notes, as well as for general research and data abstraction tasks. Join Zoom Meeting https://columbiacuimc.zoom.us/j/98062087107?pwd=ODN1TFwbtR23dO0Pk7Bq73td7fG91L.1 Meeting ID: 980 6208 7107 Passcode: 267022