Welcome back to Columbia and to Science Fair, Bwog’s weekly roundup of science events happening around campus. I am excited to be your Science Editor for another year, and I hope the new academic year has been treating you well so far. As always, email bwog.science@gmail.com if you want your event featured.

How Early Life Shapes the Developing Brain

  • Tuesday, September 9, 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm
  • In person at the Jerome L. Greene Science Center, 9th floor lecture hall. Register here.
  • This event is perfect for those seeking a deeper understanding of the brain and how childhood impacts its development. With critical implications for brain development and long-term mental health, three ethis talk will unpack the consequences of impacts to brain development in early life. More information.

Focus is Everything — How to Effectively Navigate the AI Landscape

  • Tuesday, September 9, 7 pm to 8:30 pm
  • In person in Mudd Hall, Department of Computer Science. No registration required.
  • Aaron Vontell, a software engineer and entrepreneur will explain his path within the AI space, including his experience at Anthropic. The talk will highlight the issues one may face within this frequently changing landscape, and how to work on specific problems. More information.

AI-Powered Genome Technology for Tracking Cancer Evolution and Immune Resistance

  • Wednesday, September 10, 2 pm to 3 pm
  • In person in Schermerhorn Hall, Room 603. Register here to attend via Zoom.
  • Stanford’s Le Cong will give a talk to showcase how machine learning and CRISPR-driven genome technology are transforming cancer research at Science Summit 2025. His team’s new single-cell approaches precisely track how melanoma evolves and escapes immune attack. The lab’s AI-powered platform, CRISPR-GPT, automates genome engineering to accelerate drug target discovery and personalize cancer therapies. This innovative work points toward smarter strategies for overcoming cancer treatment resistance and advancing immune-based cures. More information.

ELSI and the Sale of Genetic Data: The Case of 23andMe

  • Friday, September 12, 12 pm to 1 pm
  • Online. Register here.
  • Who owns your genetic data? Hint, its not you. In this session the Center for ELSI Resources and Analysis will outline how genetic data is transferred between corporations and what the impacts of this are, especially in the race of regulatory gaps. It will use the recent bankruptcy of 23andMe as a case study to explore these ethical and legal issues. More information.

Science Fair via Madeline Douglass