Research Into Action

I have dedicated my career to bringing the fruits of research to tackling major health challenges worldwide and I am humbled by the opportunity to oversee an initiative that brings together the university’s full range of expertise. The critical role that Columbia has played in the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates how necessary it is for this university and institutions like it to mobilize to confront the great challenges of our time.

Columbia World Projects draws on knowledge and resources from across our departments, schools and campuses in ambitious pursuit of what I call the Fourth Purpose of universities—advancing human welfare by merging our distinctive intellectual capacities with groups and organizations beyond the academy to bring about meaningful change.