Boston University Ranks 41st in Time’s Inaugural Ranking of World’s Top Universities
Time—in partnership with consumer data company Statista R—ranked Boston University 41st in its list of the World’s Top Universities of 2026, the publication’s first such ranking. BU’s global footprint, measured by both its economic impact and its community of international students and scholars, drove the impressive showing in Time’s compilation of the 100 top universities.
President Gilliam Outlines Her “North Star” Vision for the University’s Future
In her first Presidential Address, Boston University President Melissa Gilliam laid out a bold vision for the future of BU—one that draws upon the institution’s long history of innovation, collaboration, and openness and its strength in interdisciplinary, convergent research—to point the University in a direction that will enable it to meet the current moment and to excel for generations to come.
BU Women’s Hockey Heads to Belfast for Inaugural Women’s Friendship Series
The Boston University women’s hockey team rang in the new year abroad, traveling to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to play in the inaugural women’s Friendship Series—the only NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey tournament held outside North America. The Friendship Series celebrates the official sister-city relationship between Boston and Belfast, blending elite hockey with cultural and community engagement.
School of Theology Receives $1 Million to Build a Support Network of New England Churches
A new Boston University School of Theology initiative seeks to give churches across the region a boost of hope by convening groups of ordained and lay leaders to share resources and feel more connected. The New Wineskins Network, funded with a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow initiative, will create small groups of church leaders from congregations across New England—with support from School of Theology students, staff, and faculty—to address contemporary challenges facing congregations and their local communities.
BU Biomedical Engineer Christopher Chen Elected to National Academy of Medicine
Boston University biomedical engineer Christopher Chen has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the nonprofit institution founded to provide objective advice to the US government. Chen is the founding director of BU’s Biological Design Center, which studies cells and biological systems with the goal of better controlling them to benefit human health and the environment. His research could lead to lifesaving new regenerative medicines to treat disease. The founder of three successful biomedical businesses, Chen was also recently named a National Academy of Inventors Fellow. In 2022, Chen cofounded the biotechnology company Satellite Bio to develop tissue implants to repair or replace diseased organs.
BU Community Defines Eight Values That Will Shape the University for Generations
In a year-long process that began after the Living Our Values initiative was announced in fall 2024, faculty, staff, students, and alumni agreed on a set of eight values for Boston University. These guiding principles will shape the University community and its campus life and amplify the impact BU is making in the world. The approach included nearly 100 meetings with various community members and extensive research into peer colleges and universities to learn how they define and share their own values. These eight values are: integrity, excellence, learning, community, global, inclusion, service, and collaboration.
NIH Honors Two BU Researchers for Exceptionally Creative, High-Impact Science
Two Boston University researchers have received prestigious awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Julia Bond (SPH’24), a BU School of Public Health assistant professor of epidemiology, has been awarded the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award. She’ll use the award’s funding to study how sexual wellness prior to pregnancy is linked to conception. Meg Younger, a BU College of Arts & Sciences assistant professor of biology, received the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award. She’ll use the funding to investigate new techniques for unraveling the sophisticated sense of smell that allows mosquitoes to track down humans to bite.
Boston University Launches “You Are Why” Campaign, Highlighting Research and Discovery Impact
In a letter sent to the BU community, President Gilliam announced the “You Are Why” initiative. This effort will highlight BU’s groundbreaking research and discoveries that have been made possible through federal and philanthropic partnership and investment. “You Are Why” will also share examples of how the University’s scholarship, teaching, and service missions impact the lives of patients, students, families, and communities. “You Are Why” additionally calls on the BU community to seek new ways of engaging in dynamic and innovative partnerships that will help support and shape the future of research and provide opportunity for students.
BU Board of Trustees Welcomes New Members
Boston University’s Board of Trustees elected two new members this fall, adding to its deep well of individuals with experience in business, education, and healthcare. Rod F. Hochman (CAMED’79, CAS’79) and Kamal Bahamdan (ENG’94) both joined the board.
Boston University Receives Major Multimillion Dollar NIH Grant for Women’s Health Research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Boston University a prestigious $4.5 million grant to further women’s health research and spur career growth for young investigators. The five-year award from the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health program, an NIH-funded research and career development initiative, will connect senior and junior faculty interested in women’s health research.
