Weill Cornell Medicine

Join Us at the 2025 Weill Cornell Medicine Biomedical Innovation Conference! We’re excited to invite you to BioInnovate 2025, where academic inventors, early-stage investors, industry leaders, and startup executives come together to bridge the gap between cutting-edge translational research and commercial success. DATE: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 VENUE: Uris Auditorium, Weill Cornell Medicine TIME: 3:00–7:00 PM Conference Highlights: ▪️ Fireside chat with Alex Gorsky, former Chairman & CEO, Johnson & Johnson ▪️ Keynote by Krystyn Van Vliet, PhD on Cornell’s innovation initiatives ▪️  Biopharma panel on novel drug discovery technologies (beyond AI!) moderated by Lisa Placanica, PhD ’09, Senior Managing Director, CTL@WCM and featuring: 🔺 Aafia Chaudhry, MD, MBA/MS ’20 – VP, Global Head, Hematology-Oncology, Regeneron 🔺 Michael Kurman, MD ’77 – Principal, Michael Kurman Consulting LLC, former Vice President, Clinical & Scientific Operations, Quintiles (now IQVIA) 🔺 Kevin O’Rourke, MD ’19, PhD ’17 – Senior Director, Investments & BD, Roivant Sciences ▪️Startup presentations from leading faculty innovators, including Hani Najafi, PhD (cardio-metabolic disease) & Elena Valdambrini, PhD (protein degraders) ▪️Resnick Prize for Excellence in Entrepreneurship presented by Gene Resnick ’70, MD ‘74 ▪️ Networking & cocktail reception Don’t miss this premier event for biomedical innovation! We look forward to seeing you there! RSVP: https://lnkd.in/e4xSRefU #BioInnovate2025 #Entrepreneurship #Biotech #Innovation #WeillCornell #TechTransfer

Restricting telehealth prescriptions for opioid use disorder could prevent thousands from accessing a lifesaving medication, according to a new study. In March 2020 at the start of the pandemic, a federal rule was suspended that required an in-person doctor's visit for a prescription of buprenorphine, which is used to treat addiction. This allowed health care providers to prescribe it through online telehealth visits. Researchers, co-led by Weill Cornell Medicine's Dr. Beth McGinty and Dr. Matthew Eisenberg of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, looked at national data from 2020 to 2022 and found that 4,500 patients in the sample would have missed getting treatment if the in-person rule was in place. They noted that more accessible treatment for opioid-use disorders is especially helpful for those living in rural areas or without reliable transportation. Though the federal Drug Enforcement Agency ruled in January 2025 that registered practitioners could prescribe buprenorphine via telemedicine for an initial six-month supply, implementation is on hold pending review by the current administration. The study’s findings could guide policymakers in developing evidence-based telehealth regulations that ensure safe and responsible prescribing. Full story: https://bit.ly/4bM378f

In his own words, Dr. Branden Sosa, Class of 2024, reflects on his Match Day a year ago and his path to that day, which began in the Bronx as the child of immigrants from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Now a first-year resident at the Hospital for Special Surgery, Dr. Sosa continues to work with Code BLOOM, a mentorship program he created as a student here. "As an undergrad at Hunter College, I would run to volunteer at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) between classes, attempting to convince myself that my dreams of becoming a doctor were not too bold. But halfway through college, things would come to a halt when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time of my mother’s diagnosis, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Buly was in search of an office manager. By this time, I had spent the last two years volunteering in his office eager to learn everything I could. I was nineteen and underqualified to run a busy orthopedic practice with five employees. After all, the position required a master's degree. Nonetheless, I had come to know the practice very well. Dr. Buly decided to hire me, and I paused my studies to support my family, allowing me to accompany my mother to her appointments at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. After my mom recovered, I resumed my studies, ultimately leading me to Weill Cornell Medicine. My proudest moment in medical school was the opportunity to create Code BLOOM, a pipeline mentorship program for Hunter College students interested in a career in medicine. For my family, Match Day was a culmination of many experiences. Opening the Match envelope and learning that my journey had come full circle at HSS was one of my parents’ happiest moments. I am grateful to have the privilege of an education only afforded me through generations of sacrifice and a community that never let me confront a setback alone. The opportunity to train at the number one orthopedic surgery residency is a dream come true. Every day, I get to operate with the pioneers of our field while being supported to pursue my passion of becoming a surgeon-scientist and continuing to work with Code BLOOM."

Over 300 cases of #measles have been reported in the U.S. this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Roy Gulick, chief of infectious diseases at #NYPWeillCornell, shares what you need to know about this highly contagious viral infection, including symptoms, treatments, and why vaccination is the best way to protect your family and our communities. Learn more: https://nyphosp.co/41BOnEu Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medicine

Have you ever considered whether a clinical trial might be suitable for you or a loved one? Clinical trials use patient volunteers to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of treatments, devices, or procedures—such as vaccines or medications. The primary aim is to understand how these interventions affect health. In some cases, participating in a clinical trial is the only way for a patient to access a new treatment, drug, or device. Dr. Mario Gaudino, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, is the director of the Joint Clinical Trials Office at Weill Cornell Medicine and can provide valuable insights. Click the link in our bio to learn more about clinical trials and how to determine if one is right for you. News article via U.S. News & World Report: https://bit.ly/4k76MBu

Scientists have discovered a link between how effectively an individual's brain cells use energy and the risk of developing Alzheimer's. The new findings, led by Weill Cornell Medicine's Dr. Jan Krumsiek, suggest that lower levels of acylcarnitines—substances associated with declining cognitive function—may be crucial in preventing symptoms of Alzheimer's. Researchers believe that reducing levels of acylcarnitines through a healthy diet and regular exercise may be possible. Full story: https://bit.ly/3Fqf4Eq

A single molecular switch is flipped in order for blood stem cells to produce new blood cells, a discovery that could lead to more effective bone marrow transplants and gene therapies. In a new preclinical study, researchers led by Weill Cornell Medicine's Dr. Shahin Rafii, found that a DNA transcription-regulating protein called FLI-1 has a critical role in this regenerative process for blood stem cells, which are mostly resident in the bone marrow until they are stimulated or “mobilized” to move into the bloodstream. They showed that transiently producing FLI-1 in quiescent adult mobilized bone marrow stem cells activates them so that they swiftly expand their numbers and have a better chance of being transplanted successfully into a new host. “The approach we outlined in this study could substantially improve the efficiency of marrow transplants and marrow-cell-targeted gene therapies, especially in cases where the donor has a very limited supply of viable blood stem cells,” said Dr. Rafii. Full story: https://bit.ly/3R1V0uw

When people infected with tuberculosis cough or sneeze, they release bacteria-laden droplets into the air that can infect others. Now, for the first time, researchers have identified hundreds of genes that tuberculosis bacteria activate to adapt and survive changes in temperature, oxygen levels, humidity and chemical composition when they are released into the air. Many identified genes were previously considered unimportant since they appear not to play a role in disease progression when a person is infected. Instead, the new study, led by Weill Cornell Medicine's Dr. Carl Nathan and Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Dr. Lydia Bourouiba, suggests that these genes are essential for successful transmission from person to person. “If a drug were to target these same genes, it could effectively treat an individual, and even before that person is cured, keep the infection from spreading to others,” said Dr. Nathan. Full story: https://bit.ly/4iyUkIW

After losing a close friend as a teenager, Jordan Dragon found a clear direction for her life. "His death made me realize that you don't know how long you have, and you should take all your opportunities," says Jordan, a physician assistant in emergency medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. "It put a drive in me and helped me unlock my potential." Growing up in Tempe, Ariz., Jordan was a talented choir singer who initially thought she would pursue a career in music and education. However, she was also drawn to the sciences, even though they were challenging for her. She enrolled in pre-med studies in college and was determined to excel academically. "I wanted to do things in a way Wade would have done them," Jordan says of her friend, Wade Young, who died after being struck by lightning. "He definitely still inspires me to push myself." She worked in a student-run health clinic and as a medical scribe, where she met physician assistants who became mentors. "Every PA I worked with was passionate about their job and happy with their life outside of work," says Jordan, adding that she liked the idea of working in different areas of medicine. She was accepted to Weill Cornell Medicine's physician assistant program in 2020 and moved to NYC in 2021. She was immediately drawn to the fast pace of the emergency department, where she thrived. When faced with intense situations with patients and families, Jordan approaches them with empathy and kindness, remembering her own tragic loss. "Patients are having the worst day of their life, and it's about saying, 'I'm going to do whatever I can to help you and care for you,'" she says. After graduating in 2023, Jordan stayed for her one-year residency with rotations in many specialties. She chose to continue her career here, joining as a staff physician assistant in emergency medicine in 2024. In addition, she serves as an adjunct instructor and recently spoke at the Class of 2027's White Coat Ceremony. "I love being involved in education, and I feel like I continue to learn through teaching," she says.