Research Response Fund

Supporting vital public health science

A student and faculty member review data on a computer next to lab equipment

For more than 100 years, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health has been a global leader in educating future public health leaders and conducting the research and discovery that advance the health and well-being of populations around the world.

But with recent changes in federal funding, the future of many research projects and scientific training programs are in jeopardy, and our century of progress in public health is at risk. To protect our mission and continue to advance our vision, Columbia Mailman has created the Research Response Fund, a flexible resource that will provide bridge funding to our students and faculty and their work while the School acts to identify new or alternative funding opportunities.

Support our research today »

Columbia Mailman’s work has protected and improved the lives of millions of people worldwide, and the importance of continuing this work cannot be overstated. The School has trained thousands of the world’s public health leaders, practitioners, educators, and scientists. Transformational research discoveries, often made possible through grant support from government agencies—at the municipal, state, and federal levels—have included:

  • informing policies to reduce airborne contaminants throughout New York City;
  • organizing networks of school-based clinics in Washington Heights and Inwood to reduce unintended pregnancy and dropout rates among teenagers;
  • examining how policies affect the ability of women of reproductive age and pregnant people to access health services;
  • within the Center for Infection and Immunity, identifying more than 2,500 viruses and other microbial threats, including both human pathogens and those that threaten global food security;
  • educating health care professionals on the health impacts of climate change;
  • conducting infectious disease modeling and offering training and technical surveillance assistance, including during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
  • creating the scientific basis for healthy longevity for all.

In Action: Training the Next Generation of Public Health Scientists

  • Our Environmental Health Sciences training programs have educated over 100 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers on how the environment affects health, equipping them with critical skills in laboratory methods, data science, and disease research. As a result, their research has demonstrated  links between pollution and diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cancer.
  • The Department of Biostatistics at Columbia Mailman, in partnership with the Columbia University Irving Medical Center Department of Psychiatry and New York State Psychiatric Institute, has created a program to train predoctoral scholars in biostatistics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science. Building on decades of expertise, this program is preparing the next generation of leaders in mental health biostatistics and data science.

In Action: Groundbreaking Research

  • Tropical cyclones, which include hurricanes and storms, cause major damage in the US, but their full health impact is not well understood. Columbia Mailman research assesses hospitalizations and deaths from these storms and examines why some communities are more affected than others. The findings help identify the most vulnerable areas and guide efforts to protect the health of people in high-risk communities.
  • Scientists at Columbia Mailman have found that exposure to certain harmful chemicals during pregnancy and early childhood—like pesticides and flame retardants—can harm brain development. These chemicals have been linked to lower IQ, attention issues, and motor problems. Because of these findings, restrictions have been placed on these chemicals to protect children.

Your Support

The Research Response Fund is supported by alumni, donors, and friends who care deeply about the School, the future public health workforce, the field of public health, and the well-being of populations around the world.

We’re grateful for the generosity of the Columbia Mailman community for making it possible for faculty, fellows, and students to continue their work to fulfill our shared vision of a healthy, just world.

Make your gift now »

Give now or discuss your gift today

It's easy to make a gift to the Research Response Fund online. If you prefer to make a gift offline, please contact our Development and Alumni Relations Team at msphgive@columbia.edu.

If you are considering a leadership gift, please contact:

Laura Sobel
Associate Dean, Development
ls3875@cumc.columbia.edu
+1 617-413-6832 (call or text)