Science
Harvard Horizons Scholar Looks to ‘Sound the Alarm’ on ‘Forever Chemicals’
Heidi M. Pickard, a fifth-year Ph.D. student in Engineering and Applied Sciences at the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, used her 2024 Harvard Horizons project to investigate environmental contamination and human exposure to highly-prevalent “forever chemicals.”
Harvard Physicists Create New Phase of Matter, Advance Field of Quantum Computing
A team of Harvard researchers working with the quantum computing company Quantinuum announced the creation of a new phase of matter in a research paper last month.
‘Closure of a Circle’: Harvard Professor Haim Sompolinsky Wins Brain Prize for Neuroscience Research
Harvard professor Haim Sompolinsky was named a 2024 recipient of the Brain Prize — the world’s most prestigious honor for neuroscience research — by the Lundbeck Foundation on March 5.
Mass General Researchers Report Major Breakthrough in Deadly Brain Cancer Treatment
Researchers at the Mass General Cancer Center reported a breakthrough in treatment for glioblastoma in a March 13 paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Controversial Harvard Geoengineering Project Abandoned After Advisory Committee Report
A controversial environmental geoengineering experiment led by Harvard Chemistry professor Frank N. Keutsch is officially no longer being pursued, according to a Monday statement from the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability.
‘Sort of Surreal’: Harvard Medical School Students and Families Celebrate Match Day
Fourth-year Harvard Medical School students crowded anxiously Friday morning with friends and family to open their Match Day letters and learn where they will complete their clinical training.
Should Harvard’s Next President Come From the Sciences? HMS Professors Weigh In.
As Harvard is set to embark on its 31st presidential search, some University affiliates are calling on the Harvard Corporation — the University’s highest governing body — to select someone who was trained in the sciences.
‘Science on Display’: Renovations to Teaching Labs Continue in Science Center
Harvard began renovations to the Science Center teaching laboratories in December 2023, closing off much of the first and second floors of the building. The ongoing construction is part of a longer renovation of the Science Center expected to end in the summer of 2025.
Harvard, BU Physicists Create New Tool to Probe High-Pressure Superconductors
Harvard and Boston University professors developed a tool that enables researchers everywhere to make measurements of different phenomena in high-pressure environments such as earthquakes, phase transitions, and superconductors.
Luxury Brands Will Fund Harvard Lab’s Medicinal Plant Research in 3-Year Agreement
Luxury giants LVMH and Christian Dior will fund the Harvard Davis Lab’s research on the genetic barcoding of nearly 2,000 edible and medicinal plants.
Harvard Team Celebrates Launch of Methane-Detecting Satellite at SEC Event
Dozens of Harvard affiliates gathered at a Friday reception at the Science and Engineering Complex to celebrate the launch of MethaneSAT, one of the world’s most advanced methane-detecting satellites.
Nobel Prize Winners Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman Talk Vaccines at Pre-Health Event
Nobel Prize winners Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman discussed their medical research and approach to anti-science sentiments at an event hosted by the IvyLeague+ Pre-Health Society on Tuesday night.
Caroline Jean Fernald Named Director of Harvard Museums of Science and Culture
Caroline Jean Fernald was selected as the new executive director of the Harvard Museums of Science and Culture, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra announced last month. She began her tenure Wednesday.
HMS Study Finds Abortion Restrictions May Increase Number of Children in Foster Case
A study conducted by affiliates from Harvard Medical School found a significant relationship between abortion restrictions and the number of children in the foster care system.
Physics Professor Jennifer Hoffman ’99 Shatters Women’s Transcontinental Running Record
Harvard Physics professor Jennifer E. Hoffman ’99 broke the world record for the fastest trans-America run by a woman last Friday, running more than 3,000 miles in under 48 days.
Harvard Medical School Professor Gregory Petsko Awarded National Medal of Science
Renowned biochemist Gregory A. Petsko, Harvard Medical School professor of neurology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, received a 2022 National Medal of Science on Oct. 24.
Harvard Northwest Labs Director Alain Viel Appointed UNESCO Chair on Life Sciences and Innovation
Alain Viel, director of the Northwest Undergraduate Laboratories and a Harvard senior lecturer in Molecular and Cellular Biology, has assumed the role of chair on life sciences and social innovation for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
HKS Postdoc Christine Gschwendtner Talks Electrical Vehicle Charging Research at Harvard-China Project Presentation
Christine Gschwendtner, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, spoke about strategies to handle strain on electrical grids from increased electric vehicle use in a presentation at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Wednesday afternoon.
Hundreds of Students ‘Hack to the Future’ at Eighth Iteration of HackHarvard
More than 600 students representing universities around the country and the world gathered in the Science and Engineering Complex last weekend to participate in HackHarvard, a student-run hackathon.
One Small Quantum Dot, One Giant Leap for Nanoscience: Moungi Bawendi ’82 Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Moungi G. Bawendi ’82 was among three scientists awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots,” the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced in a press release Wednesday morning.
‘Struggling to Keep Up’: Harvard Students and Faculty Grapple with Impact of Generative AI in Classrooms
From evolving syllabi to entirely new course offerings, Harvard’s classrooms are adapting in real time to the widespread impact of ChatGPT and other generative artificial intelligence tools.
Harvard Astronomer Avi Loeb, Team Find Spherules of ‘Likely Extrasolar Composition’
Harvard Astronomy professor Abraham “Avi” Loeb and his research team have found metallic spherules of “likely extrasolar composition,” according to an Aug. 29 preprint posted to the online paper repository arXiv.
Judge Says Harvard and Biotech Company 10x Must Face Antitrust Claims in Two Gene Analysis Lawsuits
Harvard and 10x Genomics — a biotechnology company — must face antitrust claims over their licensing practices in two gene analysis lawsuits, a federal judge ruled in July.
In Photos: STAHR-Gazing at the Loomis-Michael Observatory
The Crimson Multimedia staff visit the Loomis-Michael Observatory on the 10th floor of the Science Center to take in the space and gaze at the stars.
Harvard SEAS Holds Annual BRIDGE Week to Celebrate Diversity in STEM
Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences held a series of events for an annual celebration of diversity in STEM last week.