News
BU’s Commencement Student Speaker Is Proud of Being a Change Maker
Michael Arellano reflects on their activism, their identity, and their role in opening the LGBTQ+ Student Resource Center.
Biden-Trump, Climate Policies, Rethinking Old Age
FACULTY EXPERT
Does The Biden-Trump Rematch Mark the End of an Era?
BU historian Bruce J. Schulman asserts that “Presidential rematches have signaled momentous political upheavals by revealing instabilities in the electoral system."
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
How High-Level Lawsuits Are Disrupting Climate Change Policies
BU researchers are pushing for changes to international treaties to better protect the planet after finding fossil fuel companies are increasingly suing countries for billions over climate policies.
FACULTY EXPERT
Rethinking Our Idea of “Old Age”
With baby boomers hitting their golden years, older adults are everywhere -- including reality TV’s The Golden Bachelor. Here’s what we all need to know about our aging society.
THOUGHT LEADERS
In Case You Missed It...
Killers of the Flower Moon author David Grann (GRS '94) will deliver BU's Commencement address... Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA, Hon '21) spoke with students in a Business, Justice, and Responsibility class at the BU Questrom School of Business... Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) discussed who should pay for life sciences innovation at WBUR CitySpace... Maxwell Palmer of the BU College of Arts & Sciences tells NBC News that winning a Senate election increases the probability of later serving on a corporate board by about 30%... Cutler Cleveland of the BU Institute for Global Sustainability talks about the goals of divestment movements with Vox.
Life Science Innovation: Who Should Pay?
The panel discussion “Life Science Innovation: Who Should Pay?” was held May 9, 2024 at WBUR’s CitySpace.
Pressley & Auchincloss; Pathogen Research; Large Federal Awards
BU IN DC
Sabrina Assoumou of the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine attended the Global Young Academy's 2024 International Conference of Young Scientists at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine on May 8th and 9th.
Vivek Pandit of Industry Engagement and Christina Polyzos of the College of Engineering hosted a booth at the AI Expo for National Competitiveness on May 7th and 8th.
Fallou Ngom and Daivi Rodima-Taylor of the Pardee School of Global Studies presented at the International Research and Studies Program Project Directors Meeting at the U.S. Department of Education on April 12th.
QUESTROM HOSTS REPS. PRESSLEY, AUCHINCLOSS
The Questrom School of Business recently hosted two Members of Congress on the Charles River Campus. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-Dorchester) spoke to students in Questrom's Business, Justice and Responsibility class on April 23rd. Pressley discussed how she collaborates with local businesses, the importance of equity for all in federal policy, and the power of young people to advocate for change. Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-Brookline) joined a panel discussion sponsored by Questrom's Mehotra Institute for Business, Markets & Society entitled "Life Science Innovation: Who Should Pay?" on May 9th.
WHITE HOUSE RELEASES NEW RULES FOR PATHOGEN RESEARCH
On Monday, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released a new policy governing research with pathogens that are dangerous or have the potential to cause pandemics. The "Dual Use Research of Concern" oversight protocols were first enacted after anthrax attacks in the U.S. in 2001, while the rules for research that could be reasonably anticipated to lead to an enhanced potential pandemic pathogen were last updated seven years ago. Stakeholders had the opportunity to provide feedback on the new rules last year, following a report issued by the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity. The new policy will take effect in May of 2025.
GRANT NEWS YOU CAN USE
A compendium of large-scale federal funding opportunities from Lewis-Burke Associates is now available on the Federal Relations website. The document provides information on center-level funding opportunities across federal agencies, including expected timelines to help teams prepare. The opportunities include currently available competitions, future opportunities currently under development, and potential programs contingent on future funding. A Kerberos password is required to access the document.
ESL Classes Offered to BU Dining Services Workers
Recent graduation ceremony celebrated their hard work and commitment.
Boston Teens Pitch Biotech Concepts to BU “Investors” at Biological Design Center’s STEM Pathways Event
Seniors from New Mission High School compete in annual Shark Tank–like event, with help from BU undergrad and grad student mentors.
Dean Sandro Galea Leaving BU’s School of Public Health for WashU Opportunity
After a decade in Boston, he will start a public health school at Washington University in St. Louis.
Campus Protests; Antisemitism Definition; NIAID BTO
BU IN DC
Deans Sandro Galea of the School of Public Health and Scott Taylor of the Pardee School of Global Studies led a conversation on public health and global affairs for Washington-area BU alumni on May 2nd.
Keith Hylton of the School of Law participated in an Information Technology & Innovation Foundation webinar on the antitrust lawsuit against Apple on May 1st.
Jonathan Zaff of the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development addressed a Brookings Institution webinar on key trends among adolescents and young adults on April 29th.
Daniel Kleinman of Graduate Affairs attended the Board of Directors meeting for the Council of Graduate Schools on April 25th and 26th.
Ayse Coskun and Can Hankendi of the College of Engineering attended the National Science Foundation Sustainable Computing for Sustainability Workshop on April 16th and 17th.
LAWMAKERS ADDRESS STUDENT PROTESTS
On Tuesday, Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives announced that several House committees would expand their investigations into antisemitism on college campuses following an increasing number of pro-Palestinian campus protests. The leaders of the House Energy & Commerce and Science, Space, & Technology Committees pledged to review whether institutions receiving funds from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation are complying with federal rules prohibiting discrimination. The Education and the Workforce Committee announced that the presidents of UCLA, the University of Michigan, and Yale would be the next university leaders to testify before the committee about their response to antisemitism. President Joe Biden also weighed in, telling reporters on Thursday that "Dissent is essential to democracy. But dissent must never lead to disorder or to denying the rights of others so students can finish the semester and their college education."
HOUSE PASSES ANTISEMITISM BILL
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act (HR 6090) on Wednesday by a 320 - 91 vote. The bill would require the U.S. Department of Education to "take into consideration" the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when it enforces federal anti-discrimination statutes. The Biden Administration currently considers the IHRA definition, which was first included in an executive order issued by the Trump Administration, and references it in its 2023 National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. However, some believe the definition is overly broad because it includes criticism of Israel and its policies. Massachusetts Representatives Jake Auchincloss, Jim McGovern, and Ayanna Pressley voted against the measure, while the remaining six members of the Commonwealth's House delegation supported it. Senate leaders have not yet determined whether that body will vote on the measure.
NIAID SEEKS FEEDBACK ON STRATEGIC PLAN
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health is requesting feedback on the proposed research priorities and cross-cutting themes for its next strategic plan. The research themes include advancing knowledge about the immune system, host-pathogen interactions, and pathogen biology; understanding interactions between microbes and the immune system to develop countermeasures against infectious diseases; reducing HIV incidence; developing intervention strategies for asthma and immune-mediated diseases; and responding to significant biological incidents affecting public health. Feedback on the five-year plan is requested by May 27th.