Student Clubs

CUNO is a student-run organization that seeks to promote a lifelong interest in science in NYC communities while enhancing the communication skills of Columbia scientists. To this end, CUNO hosts public science outreach events and teaches in local schools to provide accessible lessons in neuroscience via engaging activities and demonstrations. We hold regular curriculum development meetings to plan lessons for our programs and support student volunteers in expanding their teaching skills. CUNO executive members plan events, visits, and volunteer trainings, as well as hold monthly executive meetings to coordinate across CUNO initiatives. 

President: Briana McRae (Neurobiology & Behavior) and Risako Kimura (Neurobiology & Behavior. Contact: CUNO-admin@columbia.edu

Columbia Students for Size Inclusivity is an affiliate organization of MSSI, an interscholastic grassroots advocacy organization, focused on raising awareness about weight bias in the medical community. The mission of Columbia Students for Size Inclusivity is to raise awareness about weight discrimination, size-inclusive healthcare, and the interplay between eating disorders and weight bias in medicine, research, and public health. Our organization hosts journal clubs discussing papers related to weight stigma and the relationship between weight and health. Additionally, CSSI invites subject matter experts to guest lecture and circulates event info from the wider size inclusive community such as physician/expert panels. We are looking to expand our executive board. 

President: Asia Patlis (Nutritional & Metabolic Biology); Contact: alp2248@cumc.columbia.edu ; Vice President: Griffin Gowdy (Nutritional & Metabolic Biology) 

CUIMC-CSSA services Chinese students and scholars at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and seeks to unite all Chinese in the community, promote Chinese culture, and enhance international communication. 

President: Tong Su (Biostatistics); Vice President: Zhengkun Ou (Biostatistics) & Jiawa Zhang (Biostatistics).   

The Columbia University Irving Medical Center Jewish Graduate Student Alliance (Jewish@CUIMC) is dedicated to creating a home away from home for Jewish students across the medical center campus by fostering a supportive and inclusive community. Our primary purpose is to provide a welcoming space for Jewish students from all backgrounds and cultures to celebrate their unique Jewish identity and engage in meaningful discussions. We are committed to offering respite and support to students experiencing prejudice and are dedicated to promoting understanding, respect, and inclusivity within our campus. 

President: Esther Rotlevi (Neurobiology & Behavior); Vice President: Noga Aharony (Integrated Program) and Michael Gross (Psychiatric Mental Health); Treasurer: Alan Banner (Dental Medicine); Secretary: Shira Eisman (Genetics & Development) 

The main goal of the Graduate Initiative for Diversity is to further the success of underrepresented graduate students at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC). We strive to highlight and celebrate diversity and to build a community amongst peers. Our events will provide a safe space to network with other students and thus enhance the sense of community and belonging. We host events focused on highlighting the success of underrepresented faculty and students across CUMC. Finally, we aim to recruit and increase the diversity of the graduate student population and to engage with the Washington Heights community through outreach activities. This organization welcomes all graduate students including but not limited to: African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, Native Americans, Alaskan natives, Native Hawaiians, first-generation, and those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. 

President: Christopher Cardona (Integrated Program); Vice-President: Kyle Helms (Integrated Program); Community Outreach/Social Chair: Carly Lam (Microbiology & Immunology); Communication Chair: Jess Armand (Integrated Program) & Caela Phillips (Integrated Program); Social Justice Movie Night Committee: Jonathan Chin Cheong (Integrated Program) & Aiyana Monae (Cellular and Molecular Physiology & Biophysics); and Coffee Break Committee: Laura Rodriguez-Bonilla (Integrated Program) & Julie McInvale (Neurobiology & Behavior). 

The SMRI Program aims to develop interest and confidence in the sciences within underrepresented and underprivileged New York City high school students. SMRI selects enthusiastic 11th grade (Junior Year) students from the NYC Minds Matter Chapter, who first attend a rigorous Bio-Boot Camp where they receive lectures given by graduate students in the Coordinated Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences on a wide range of biological topics and are introduced to a laboratory setting during a tutorial workshop. This important training element to the internship provides the interns with a baseline level of knowledge and skill set that prepares them to excel when they start their research project. Secondly, they begin the three-month research internship where they are paired with a Columbia graduate student mentor to engage in a research project that culminates in a final presentation. SMRI interns earn valuable research experience in a Columbia University laboratory, develop professional speaking skills, and participate in active discussions on scientific research, career goals and life in the sciences. A quality science education provides children with the tools they will need to succeed professionally and lead healthy lives. Graduate students at Columbia have enormous potential to help surrounding New York public schools motivate and inspire their students to succeed in the sciences. 

Directors: Dan Ross (Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics), Jared Gatto (Genetics & Development), & Hijab Fatima 

WISC is one organization made up of two chapters – one at Morningside (WISC) and one at the Medical Center (WISC-CUIMC) dedicated to the outreach, support, and advancement of women, underrepresented minorities, and their advocates in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematical graduate fields at Columbia University. Events are hosted to foster connections between and uplift women on campus, including but not limited to: networking events, monthly discussion lunches, volunteering opportunities, and professional, academic, and skill development workshops. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend events on either or both campuses. Join our Slack channel to keep up with all things WISC-CUIMC. 

WISC-CUIMC Presidents: Eva Kaye (Integrated Program) & Christine Wu (Microbiology & Immunology) 

A broader listing of clubs and organizations available at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.