Biomedical Research News

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons has announced the 18th cohort of the Louis V. Gerstner Scholars, honoring four outstanding early-career physician scientists: Joshua Cook, MD, PhD; Brian Gill, MD; Ian Mellis, MD, PhD; and Alexander Nectow, MD, PhD. Established in 2008, the program supports investigators conducting innovative translational research to improve human health. 2023 scholar Edmond Chan recieved the 2026 Gerstner Merit Award, which provides an additional year of funding to scholars demonstrating exceptional research progress. Since its inception, the program has named 72 scholars and awarded 11 Merit Awards. Congratulations to this year’s scholars and Merit Award recipient on this recognition and their commitment to advancing biomedical discovery.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center held its Academic Convocation and Commencement on May 13, 2026, celebrating new graduates and award winners. This year, 15 students earned doctoral degrees from the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSK), alongside graduates from MSK’s clinical and translational research programs. During the ceremony, MSK leaders also honored our late Chairman Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., for his role in establishing GSK. “Over nearly four decades of service as a trustee on the MSK boards, Lou helped shape our long-term vision, demonstrating how sustained leadership and philanthropy can advance science, educate future leaders, and bring an institution closer to its goals of ending cancer for life,” said President and CEO Dr. Selwyn Vickers. “Today, [GSK] continues to embody his conviction that scientific excellence is strengthened by a deep commitment to the people behind it.” Congratulations to the 2026 graduates on their achievements.

We are grateful to the Department of Ophthalmology at Columbia University for sharing a thoughtful In Memoriam honoring our founder, Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. As the article reflects, Mr. Gerstner had a deep commitment to Columbia and to advancing biomedical science. He believed in supporting physician-scientists and early-career researchers to drive discovery and improve human health. We thank our partners at Columbia for this meaningful tribute and for continuing the work he cared about so deeply.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic are using artificial intelligence and machine-learning tools to improve how preventive migraine treatments are selected for individual patients. By analyzing long-term clinical data, the team aims to reduce trial-and-error in care and help clinicians better match patients with effective therapies earlier in the treatment process. This work reflects ongoing efforts to apply data-driven approaches to complex neurological conditions and underscores the potential of AI to advance precision medicine.

We are pleased to share the recent article from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, "Training Tomorrow’s Leaders: Graduate Education at GSK", highlighting the work of the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSK). Established nearly twenty years ago, GSK offers a unique environment that brings together outstanding students and world-class scientists to advance discoveries in cancer research. The Foundation remains proud to support this community of emerging scientists as they pursue innovative approaches to understanding and treating cancer. “Opportunities like those provided by GSK empower students to take bold steps in cancer science,” said Mr. Gerstner. “Their curiosity and dedication continue to inspire me, and I take tremendous pride in the discoveries they make about today’s most pressing biological and clinical challenges.”