Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
University of New Orleans Teams Compete in 2026 Pelican Cup Pitch Competition
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, May 5 -- The University of New Orleans issued the following news release:
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University of New Orleans Teams Compete in 2026 Pelican Cup Pitch Competition
Two student teams from the University of New Orleans competed in the 2026 Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup, a statewide business plan competition that brings together student-founded ventures from universities across Louisiana.
A total of 44 teams entered this year's competition, with 12 advancing to the final round, including six undergraduate and six graduate teams. The 2026 competition also introduced separate undergraduate
... Show Full Article
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, May 5 -- The University of New Orleans issued the following news release:
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University of New Orleans Teams Compete in 2026 Pelican Cup Pitch Competition
Two student teams from the University of New Orleans competed in the 2026 Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup, a statewide business plan competition that brings together student-founded ventures from universities across Louisiana.
A total of 44 teams entered this year's competition, with 12 advancing to the final round, including six undergraduate and six graduate teams. The 2026 competition also introduced separate undergraduateand graduate categories and increased the total prize pool to $157,000. UNO was represented by Entelechy in the graduate category and SensorySync in the undergraduate category.
Entelechy, the 2024 Privateer Pitch winner, presented its project, Camo Chameleon. The team includes Soheil Saneei, Nhi Pham and Gabe Malone, with faculty advisors Dong-Jun Min and Shafin Khan. Their project focuses on helping children develop social-emotional learning skills, with plans for a pilot program in select elementary schools. Entelechy's selection marked the first time a UNO team competed in the graduate category of the Pelican Cup.
"The achievements of SensorySync and Entelechy at the 2026 Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup speak to the extraordinary commitment, creativity, and perseverance of our students," said UNO professor and team mentor Dong-Jun Min. "They navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship with focus and determination, continually refining their ideas while supporting each other as a team. It has been truly rewarding to watch their growth into thoughtful, capable innovators. Their accomplishments set a powerful example for future University of New Orleans teams, and I look forward to seeing our students continue to build on this momentum in the years ahead."
SensorySync, a 2025 StartupUNO finalist, placed third in the undergraduate category and received a $10,000 prize. The team includes computer science students Pranish Ghimire, Krish Neupane and Simant Singh, with faculty advisor Shafin Khan. Their platform is designed to help families navigate therapy and individualized education program support by offering therapist matching, real-time progress tracking and a shared system for communication among parents, teachers and therapists.
The Pelican Cup is hosted by the University of Louisiana Monroe and is open to students enrolled at four-year colleges and universities across the state.
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Original text here: https://www.uno.edu/news/2026-05-04/uno-teams-compete-in-2026-pelican-cup-pitch-competition
UC, State Senator Wiener, UAW Host Rally for California Science to Urge Lawmakers to Pass SB 895
BERKELEY, California, May 5 -- The University of California issued the following news release:
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UC, State Senator Wiener, UAW host rally for California science to urge lawmakers to pass SB 895
SACRAMENTO - UC President James B. Milliken today joined California State Senator Scott Wiener and United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain to rally in support of California science and urge state lawmakers to pass SB 895, bipartisan legislation that would place a $23 billion bond to fund scientific research across California on the November 2026 ballot.
"California's prosperity is inextricably
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BERKELEY, California, May 5 -- The University of California issued the following news release:
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UC, State Senator Wiener, UAW host rally for California science to urge lawmakers to pass SB 895
SACRAMENTO - UC President James B. Milliken today joined California State Senator Scott Wiener and United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain to rally in support of California science and urge state lawmakers to pass SB 895, bipartisan legislation that would place a $23 billion bond to fund scientific research across California on the November 2026 ballot.
"California's prosperity is inextricablyconnected to its investment in university research and discovery," said President Milliken, who was joined at the rally by hundreds of UC researchers, faculty and staff. "SB 895 comes at a pivotal moment, providing a lifeline that delivers economic opportunity and life-saving medical care for our residents."
If passed, SB 895 would help ensure that critical scientific research continues in California, strengthening the state's resilience through investments in biomedical and health research, climate and environmental science, behavioral health, wildfire resilience and emerging technologies.
With 10 campuses, six academic health centers and administrative oversight of three national labs, UC employs more than 265,000 across the state and treats 2.5 million patients a year. For every $1 the State of California invests in UC, $21.04 in economic output is generated across the state. Last year, UC received the most U.S. utility patents of any university, helping keep the nation at the forefront of scientific discovery and global competitiveness.
But today, UC faces one of the most severe threats to its research enterprise in its 158-year history. Significant reductions and disruptions in federal scientific funding could hinder the state's ability to remain a global leader in technology, innovation and multidisciplinary research, impacting jobs, health care and the economy in California.
If passed by voters, the California Science and Health Research Bond Act would help fund modernization of research facilities, expansion of laboratory and clinical capacity, and improvements to public health infrastructure. These investments are projected to support a wide variety of jobs, from construction and skilled trades, to scientists, technicians and healthcare researchers, while strengthening the pipeline of future talent.
Research funding generates jobs, fuels California's economy
California's leadership in biotechnology, life sciences and medical innovation has been a cornerstone of its economic success. The state's universities, hospitals and research institutions provide the infrastructure needed for clinical trials, product development and advanced manufacturing. The investments made by SB 895 will support thousands of students and researchers at California universities with jobs in growing industries.
"The science bond is one of the best investments we can make in California's future," said Senator Wiener. "Scientific research is a pillar of California's economy and prosperity and one of California's greatest contributions to the world. It fuels our world-class universities. Our life sciences sector supports over a million jobs and billions in economic output. To millions of families and loved ones struggling with untreatable illnesses, scientific research represents hope. SB 895 will power those dreams and that success for another generation -- putting power back in the hands of Californians to steer the next generation of scientific advances while the federal government pulls back."
SB 895 tackles complex and interconnected challenges
SB 895 would also provide dedicated funding for research into the health impacts of wildfires, including air quality, respiratory illness and community resilience, while strengthening California's capacity to detect and respond to future pandemics through improved laboratory networks and rapid response capabilities.
"This measure could help you or someone you love by continuing research in groundbreaking therapies for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and more," said UAW Region 6 Director Mike Miller. UAW represents approximately 60,000 workers across the University of California system in a wide range of academic and non-academic roles, including academic researchers, graduate teaching assistants, graduate student researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and professionals in student services, advising, research and public service. "As the federal government slashes research funding across the country, we are proud to come together with Senator Wiener, Assemblymember Solache and the University of California to ensure that California meets the moment."
Return on investment and pharmaceutical discounts
Historically, public investment in research has delivered strong returns by driving economic growth, boosting tax revenues and improving residents' health. SB 895 builds on that track record by allowing the state to recapture a share of licensing and royalty revenues from inventions and technologies developed with public funding. SB 895 also helps to make health care more accessible by ensuring California residents receive discounts for pharmaceuticals developed through this research.
Support for SB 895 is bipartisan and broad-based, from researchers and physicians to legislators throughout the state. The bill is sponsored by UAW Region 6 and Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). It is jointly authored by Senators Sasha Renee Perez and Aisha Wahab, and principal co-authored by Assemblymembers Jose Luis Solache, Jr., Mike Gipson, Jacqui Irwin, Al Muratsuchi and Darshana Patel, Ph.D. Thirty-seven members of the State Legislature are co-authoring the bill to date.
Click here (https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/fight-protect-california-science-starts-now) to find an explainer on SB 895 and here (https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/uc-sponsors-sb-895-place-23-billion-bond-fund-scientific-research-california-november) to learn about UC's sponsorship.
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NOTE FOR EDITORS / PRODUCERS: UC Davis Vice Chancellor for Research Simon Atkinson, UC San Francisco Vice Chancellor for Research Harold Collard, and UC Graduate and Professional Council Former-President Ryan Manriquez are available for interviews. Please contact media@ucop.edu to request an interview.
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Original text here: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/uc-state-senator-wiener-uaw-host-rally-california-science-urge-lawmakers-pass-sb-895
SUNY Potsdam Students Present at 2026 SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference
POTSDAM, New York, May 5 -- The State University of New York Potsdam campus issued the following news:
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SUNY Potsdam Students Present at 2026 SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference
Seven SUNY Potsdam students were recently invited to take part in the 2026 SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference, highlighting the high-level work that they have conducted along with faculty mentors in their chosen fields.
This year's conference was held at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, and featured more than 280 students from 33 campuses. The annual conference brings together undergraduate
... Show Full Article
POTSDAM, New York, May 5 -- The State University of New York Potsdam campus issued the following news:
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SUNY Potsdam Students Present at 2026 SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference
Seven SUNY Potsdam students were recently invited to take part in the 2026 SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference, highlighting the high-level work that they have conducted along with faculty mentors in their chosen fields.
This year's conference was held at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, and featured more than 280 students from 33 campuses. The annual conference brings together undergraduateresearchers who have worked with faculty mentors on projects on topics including healthcare, environmental sustainability, and human well-being, as well as literature and the social sciences.
SUNY also hosted professional development workshops and a career fair for students to learn more about graduate study opportunities, as well as job opportunities and experiences that interest them.
"At all stages of their academic careers, our students are conducting excellent research that will have a positive impact on the lives of New Yorkers," said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. "The SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference is an opportunity to display the incredible work being done by our students throughout the state, while also providing an opportunity to celebrate their stellar achievements. I commend all of our student researchers, and the faculty that support them, for their work to ensure SUNY is positioned as a national leader in research."
The SUNY Potsdam participants included:
* Marissa Martin '27 of Saranac Lake, N.Y., who presented on her project, "Same Violence, Different Frames? Newspaper Coverage of the Killings of Melissa Hortman and Charlie Kirk." Her faculty mentor was Dr. Gemini Creason-Parker.
* Carlee Azure '27 of Victor, N.Y., and Zayne Pavlick '26 of Fort Covington, N.Y., who presented on their project, "More Than Just a Lyric: Overt and Covert Rape Myth Language Across 50 Years of Popular Music." Their faculty mentor was also Dr. Creason-Parker.
* Destinee Baxter '26 of Brooklyn, N.Y., who worked with Dr. Lauren Diamond-Brown on her project, "Improving Perinatal Care Experiences in St. Lawrence County"
* Sarah Dauenhauer '26 of Malone, N.Y., Jewl Dunning '26 of Jamaica, N.Y., and Sophie Layer '26 of Winthrop, N.Y., who presented on their research project, "Effects of Inattentional Blindness and Misleading Post-Event Information on Eyewitness Memory," which they worked on with Dr. Heather Beauchamp.
Destinee Baxter had the special opportunity to present her research to Chancellor King directly, as he attended the conference. The Chancellor remembered meeting the biochemistry major during his recent visit to SUNY Potsdam and asked her and Dr. Diamond-Brown to tell them more about their project.
SUNY Potsdam's participation in the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference is coordinated by the Donald and Kathryn Lougheed Center for Applied Learning, located in the Lougheed Learning Commons. The center supports mentored student research through programs such as Presidential Scholars, the Kilmer Fund and Kilmer Labs, among others. To find out more about the center's support for student research and creative projects, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/appliedlearning/studentresearch
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About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges--and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.potsdam.edu/news/ResearchConference
N.C. State: Here's Why Your Face Doesn't Perceive Itchiness the Same Way Your Body Does
RALEIGH, North Carolina, May 5 (TNSjou) -- North Carolina State University issued the following news release:
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Here's Why Your Face Doesn't Perceive Itchiness the Same Way Your Body Does
In a new study, researchers from North Carolina State University show that itch sensations in the face are perceived differently from those in the body due to differences in signaling between trigeminal (located in the brain) and spinal pain pathways. The work could lead to the development of specific molecular targets for treating facial pain or itch.
"You can think of itch being transmitted from the
... Show Full Article
RALEIGH, North Carolina, May 5 (TNSjou) -- North Carolina State University issued the following news release:
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Here's Why Your Face Doesn't Perceive Itchiness the Same Way Your Body Does
In a new study, researchers from North Carolina State University show that itch sensations in the face are perceived differently from those in the body due to differences in signaling between trigeminal (located in the brain) and spinal pain pathways. The work could lead to the development of specific molecular targets for treating facial pain or itch.
"You can think of itch being transmitted from theskin to the brain as a series of switches that get flipped," says Santosh Mishra, associate professor of molecular biomedical sciences at NC State.
"On the body, itch signals go from neuronal projections in the skin through the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) - which are clusters of sensory cells located at the root of the spinal nerves - then to the spinal cord. But on the face and head, those signals travel to the trigeminal ganglia (TG) - which are clusters of sensory cells located in a small structure below the brain where it sits atop the skull."
"We know that in terms of itch, the face and torso have different thresholds - in mice, for example, they have lower itch response to histamine exposure on the cheek as compared to the nape of the neck," Mishra says. "We wanted to see what the mechanisms were behind this difference."
The researchers first looked at itch response in mice exposed to histamine on the cheek and nape. They observed that itch response on the cheek was significantly reduced when compared with the neck. Next, they looked at innervation - or how many nerves were present - in the face versus the neck to rule out structural causes for the difference in response.
Finally, they looked at the neuronal populations within the DRG and TG, and the neuropeptides they express.
The neurons within the DRG and TG differ, mainly because the sensory environments they work in differ. Skin doesn't need to be able to sense taste or smell, for example. But it also seems as though the neuronal populations don't handle signals the same way, either.
In the DRG there are distinct pathways for pain and itch. Two peptides, Substance P (SP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), are associated with pain and itch respectively. If the signal to express SP is received, that initiates a pain response, and if the signal for BNP is received, it's itch.
The TG, on the other hand, has three potential pathways: one for SP expression, one for BNP expression, and one in which both are expressed. In the mice, it seemed as though when that third pathway activated, SP, the pain peptide, was overproduced compared to BNP.
"This overlap in the TG and overproduction of SP seems to be 'shunting' the itch response aside," Mishra says. "Our next steps will be to explore why SP is overproduced in this situation."
The researchers hope that the work could lead to better treatments for facial itch.
"Understanding how itch perception in the face differs from itch perception in the body could give us better molecular targets for future therapies," Mishra says.
The study appears in Communications Biology and was supported by NIH grant R01AR077692. Joshua Wheeler, postdoctoral scholar at NC State, is first author. Other NC State contributors include Duncan Lascelles, the Dr. J. McNeely and Lynne K. DuBose Distinguished Professor of Musculoskeletal Health and professor of translational research in pain and surgery; Thierry Olivry, professor of veterinary dermatology emeritus; former NC State undergraduate student Nidha Williams; and current NC State graduate student Aditi Vigneshwar.
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Note to editors: An abstract follows.
"Substance P and Somatostatin Neurons Limit Facial Itch by Recruiting Distinct Nociceptive Circuits in the Brainstem"
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-026-10128-9
Authors: Joshua J. Wheeler, Nidha Williams, Aditi Vigneshwar, B. Duncan X. Lascelles, Thierry Olivry, Santosh K. Mishra, North Carolina State University
Published: May 2, 2026 in Communications Biology
Abstract:
Itch is a complex noxious sensation associated with many skin and systemic conditions, which varies in intensity and quality across different body regions. Despite its prevalence, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying regional itch differences remain poorly understood. Investigating the neural basis of regional itch differences, we identified a functional divergence in neuropeptide signaling and central circuit engagement between the trigeminal and spinal systems, which was independent of peripheral innervation density. Utilizing a combination of behavioral, pharmacological, genetic, and molecular assays, we identified a unique population of trigeminal (TG) neurons that facilitate specialized itch-pain coding. Our results indicate that while histamine receptors HRH1 and HRH3 are both involved in mediating mixed itch-and-pain sensations, the specific activity of Substance P (SP)- and Somatostatin (SST)-expressing neurons orchestrates this transition in the cheek. This behavioral shift is mediated by a central mechanism wherein sensory neurons activation recruits distinct nociceptive circuits within the brainstem. In brief, these findings provide insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying regional itch differences, highlighting the importance of considering anatomical location when developing targeted treatments.
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Original text here: https://news.ncsu.edu/2026/05/heres-why-your-face-doesnt-perceive-itchiness-the-same-way-your-body-does/
Michigan Medicine: Dermatology Resident's China Rotation Highlights Value of Global Training
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, May 5 -- Michigan Medicine, the academic medical center of the University of Michigan, issued the following news release:
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Dermatology resident's China rotation highlights value of global training
The program enables trainees to pursue a clinical experience abroad during their final year at Michigan Medicine
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Leaders in Dermatology are expanding a program at Michigan Medicine that enables select residents to pursue a clinical experience abroad during the final year of training, with one resident having visited China late last year and three more expected to train
... Show Full Article
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, May 5 -- Michigan Medicine, the academic medical center of the University of Michigan, issued the following news release:
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Dermatology resident's China rotation highlights value of global training
The program enables trainees to pursue a clinical experience abroad during their final year at Michigan Medicine
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Leaders in Dermatology are expanding a program at Michigan Medicine that enables select residents to pursue a clinical experience abroad during the final year of training, with one resident having visited China late last year and three more expected to trainabroad in the coming months.
Albert Yang, M.D., visited Peking Union Medical College Hospital last November, becoming the first Dermatology resident to travel to China as part of the initiative.
His four-week rotation offered an up-close look at dermatologic care at one of China's premier hospitals.
Peking Union Medical College Hospital and its affiliated medical school are longtime University of Michigan Medical School partners.
His rotation included time in the busy outpatient setting as well as on the hospital's dedicated dermatology inpatient wards--something that is uncommon in the United States health care model, where dermatology is more often practiced as an outpatient specialty.
"In our setting, if we're in the hospital, we're usually more of a consultant. But there, they were members of the primary team," Yang said.
"It was interesting to watch them focus on blood pressure, blood sugar, labs, and other things. It felt like I was back in my intern year, rounding and doing a lot of non-dermatologic things."
Key differences observed
Dermatology residents, while providing broad non-dermatologic care in the hospital wards, also tended to specialize in a particular area of the field. In the U.S., residents generally don't subspecialize during residency.
"It was one of the most common questions I got: what was my specialty?" Yang said.
"They tend to have a specialty--even as residents--maybe psoriasis or connective tissue disease. Here in the United States, you aren't pushed to specialize as a resident."
Additionally, to manage patient volumes, hospitals used a same-day registration system in which patients lined up early each morning to compete for a limited number of appointment slots with the specialist they want to see.
"You can tell patients are desperate. Some have traveled a long distance to see a specific provider and they aren't able to get an appointment. It's very hard."
He noted that many biologic medications that might be prescribed indefinitely in the United States were used differently there, with treatment tapered and clear end dates established.
"The mentality seemed more like, 'We'll stop this medication, and if you flare up again, we'll start it again.' But in the U.S., I think there is a fear that if you stop a treatment, the insurance companies may not approve it again. Universal coverage might play into that difference."
Yang was also struck by how Traditional Chinese Medicine is used alongside Western medicine in patient care.
The hospital's dermatology department includes a designated TCM physician integrated into their care team, and all team members incorporate aspects of TCM into their care--from explaining diagnoses using TCM concepts, such as meridians, qi, and the five elements, to prescribing herbal medications.
"All providers can and do prescribe TCM medications, because they see many patients who want to begin a treatment plan with TCM because they are more comfortable with the concept," Yang said.
"It was really ingrained into their practice."
A flourishing program
Yang's experience follows that of fellow resident Dan Nadelman, who spent time in India two years ago.
Additional resident experiences are planned in South Korea, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Rwanda, and Burundi.
The program was launched and continues to expand under Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Trilokraj Tejasvi, M.D., MBBS, with strong support from Department Chair, Christopher Bichakjian.
"There has been strong interest among our trainees in the program, and we are fortunate to have developed a network of potential host institutions around the world in a variety of settings," said Tejasvi.
"Exposure to a different health care system can offer lessons and perspectives that enrich their training and strengthen their residency experience at UMMS."
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Original text here: https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-lab/dermatology-residents-china-rotation-highlights-value-global-training
Mapping the Ganges, Mile by Mile: Showcase of Yale Architect's Decade-long Journey
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, May 5 -- Yale University issued the following Q&A on May 4, 2026, involving Anthony Acciavatti, associate professor in the School of Architecture:
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Mapping the Ganges, mile by mile: A new showcase of a Yale architect's decade-long journey
For nearly a decade, Yale's Anthony Acciavatti embarked on a 9,000-mile journey to map the Ganges River Basin. A new exhibition showcases the instruments, models, sketches, and other materials he used to do it.
By Mike Cummings
When Anthony Acciavatti graduated college in 2004, he set an ambitious goal for himself: map the entire
... Show Full Article
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, May 5 -- Yale University issued the following Q&A on May 4, 2026, involving Anthony Acciavatti, associate professor in the School of Architecture:
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Mapping the Ganges, mile by mile: A new showcase of a Yale architect's decade-long journey
For nearly a decade, Yale's Anthony Acciavatti embarked on a 9,000-mile journey to map the Ganges River Basin. A new exhibition showcases the instruments, models, sketches, and other materials he used to do it.
By Mike Cummings
When Anthony Acciavatti graduated college in 2004, he set an ambitious goal for himself: map the entireGanges River Basin.
The Ganges River flows from the Himalayas across India's northern plains and into the Bay of Bengal. Its basin covers an area of more than 320,000 square miles and is home to about 600 million people, making it the world's most densely populated river basin.
"Call it the hubris of youth," said Acciavatti, now the Diana Balmori Associate Professor at the Yale School of Architecture. "But as an architect, I wanted to know more about how people negotiate that density. I wanted to understand the choreography of it and how it responds to the rhythms of the monsoon."
At Yale, Acciavatti works at the intersection of architecture, landscape, and the history of science and technology, including research on how water extraction is reshaping cities and landscapes.
But for nearly a decade, he walked more than 9,000 miles through the ever-changing Ganges river basin, closely studying its soils, waters, landscapes, infrastructure, people, plants, and wildlife. Along the way, he handcrafted an assortment of ingenious instruments to help him collect the data he needed to complete the project. (The work was initially supported by a Fulbright fellowship, and later with a Ford Foundation grant.)
When he was done, he produced "Ganges Water Machine: Designing New India's Ancient River" (Applied Research & Design), a dynamic atlas that combined fieldwork with archival research to provide the first comprehensive mapping and environmental history of the Ganges River Basin in a half century. The book, published in 2015, was awarded the John Brinckerhoff Jackson Book Prize, which recognizes books pertaining to landscape studies.
Then, in 2023, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London acquired the materials and instruments he'd created while studying the basin. Last month, a new exhibition based on these items and on his work went on view at the V&A East, a newly opened expansion of the museum. The show, "Ganges Water Machine," includes his original drawings, models, sketchbooks, instruments, and photographs.
In a recent conversation with Yale News, Acciavatti reflected on the mapping project, discussing his efforts to document the world's largest temporary city, his use of photographic panoramas to capture the basin's diversity, and the unexpected role tube socks played in his data gathering.
The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
What does it mean to you to see your instruments and other materials in the V&A's permanent collection and now on exhibit at the new V&A East?
Anthony Acciavatti: It still hasn't fully hit me. It's very meaningful to me. The V&A's collection has been important to my education and aesthetic experience. I never imagined that my handmade instruments would take on a life of their own. I was so close to them while I was making and using them to map the river. I knew I was often grasping at straws while trying to figure out how to visualize this vast river basin. So, it feels strangely affirming to see them on display.
The show features panoramic mosaic composed of photos you took of people and places along the Ganges. How did the use of photography in this way contribute to your study of the river basin?
Acciavatti: I now have more than 37,000 photos from the Ganges River Basin. I've made panoramas to represent the incredible amount of life that exists along the edges from the glacier in the Himalayas all the way through the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Maps, which are usually drawn from histories of colonialism and imperialism, are intended to flatten space. In my work, I'm always trying to think about how to provide a thicker visual interpretation of the world around us. Panoramas help me to do that.
The large panorama on display at the V&A East consists of about 2,600 photos to give viewers a sense of the diversity of spaces and the ways that people, plants, and wildlife inhabit them. It doesn't make the river basin more legible, but I think it makes it thicker or more multidimensional.
The materials on view include a soiled tube sock in a resealable plastic bag. What's the story there?
Acciavatti: I had lived in the city of Allahabad, also known as Prayagraj, which is one of the most sacred sites in Hinduism because it's where the Ganges and the Yamuna rivers meet. It's amazing to go there because you see the blue waters of the Yamuna mixing with the brown waters of the Ganges. It's almost like when you see freshwater and saltwater meet, but it's even more vivid in terms of the color contrast. But when you look carefully, the reason that these two rivers are different colors is because they have two very different sediment regimes. We see water coming together, but it's distinct geological provinces that are meeting. It's all those tectonic crumbs shed from the Himalayas.
I became focused on the ways in which soils shift across this landscape. I knew I couldn't bring soils back to the United States. Instead, I used white tube socks to collect samples and note the difference in sediments' colors. I'd take them out of the plastic sleeve they came in. Then I'd put them on once I was at a point where I was going to put my feet into the silt. By dipping hundreds of different pairs of socks into the river, I developed a way of visualizing at a visceral level the relationship between soil and water and its choreography. It's kind of beautiful to see these different soils and colors on those socks. You really get a sense of a very different interpretation and visualization of the flows of soils carried by water.
One of the instruments you made, which you called a "surface accumulation sleeve," resembles something one might see in a makeshift Halloween costume. What purpose did it serve?
Acciavatti: That's a device that I made to collect soils from the edges of riverbanks. I rigged up a sleeve that I could wear on my right arm and sort of shoot transparent packing tape from it the way that Spider-Man slings webs from his wrist. I would walk perpendicular to the riverbank edge in the months before the monsoon and collect soils on the tape. I'd shoot the tape and pat it down on the soil for a kilometer. I did this because the particle size of the soil tells you a lot about how the river expands and contracts over the course of the year. So larger sediment means it's moving faster because it needs to have a higher velocity and volume to move large particulate matter versus smaller particulate matter.
I did this several hundred times, collecting several hundred kilometers of packaging tape to make these do-it-yourself datasets that were more accurate than satellite imagery, which is very low resolution. I used the datasets to draw maps, which the V&A also acquired, in which varied tones of violet show how the river expands and contracts over the course of a year.
You also mapped what you've described as the world's largest temporary city, erected annually along the banks at the confluence of three rivers: the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. What drew you to that project?
Acciavatti: Every January and February during the Hindu month of Magh, a massive temporary tent city is built in Prayagraj to accommodate pilgrims, who have come to bathe where the three rivers meet. It's an incredible transformation. The city is laid out on a grid with avenues and streets. It has infrastructure like power and water lines, police departments, and hospitals. A system of pontoon bridges allows pilgrims to navigate the shoals.
What's more amazing to me than this city designed in the lap of the river is that all the tents are removed once the religious festival ends, but the avenues and the footprints of the tents remain tattooed on the sandbars and shoals. Then farmers move in and plant crops because the silt is so rich in nutrients and the water table is so close to the surface. After the harvest, the monsoons come and inundate the whole area, washing everything away. It's the most intelligent use of space that I've ever seen because every year it goes from urban to agrarian to inundated and back to urban. From a public health perspective, it raises concerns. But it's really the most amazing agro-urban, mixed-use space I've ever encountered.
It also had never been mapped before. And if those spaces aren't drawn, then how do we build on these intelligent uses of the deep rhythms of the monsoons? The drawings that I made, which the V&A has acquired, have been published by the United Nations as examples of how it is possible to draw cities, not just biophysically, but also to capture the ways they change over time and visualize their political and sacred geographical dimensions, too.
When you reflect on the time you spent studying the river basin, what comes to mind?
Acciavatti: When I give lectures and show embarrassing photos of me wearing a knock-off Texas Longhorns cap that I bought near the Nepali border while hiking near a glacier, it hits me that it was all a crazy adventure. I felt like a mix of Don Quixote and Dora the Explorer. But I do miss it.
Most people in India and certainly in the United States wondered why I would put so much effort into studying the river. As I write in "Ganges Water Machine," many people I met in cities like New Delhi thought it was a fool's errand. In a way, that gave me the freedom to pursue the research without the pressure of oversight. It was often a lot of fun, but also very hard work. I would walk great lengths and sometimes sleep on boats. Occasionally, villagers would invite me to stay with them in their mud huts. It was an extraordinary moment.
But it also was a moment years before drones were in widespread use. Google Earth was extremely low resolution. There were no smartphones. I think it would be harder to write a successful application for a Fulbright grant today to do the same work, although I think there's still so much value in walking the land and engaging with people you meet and learning more from the spaces you visit.
This approach to fieldwork extends to my annual spring seminar, "Labs and Landscapes of the Green Revolution," which examines the histories of the effort to grow more wheat and rice to keep pace with population growth in the middle decades of the 20th century. Scholars have long examined the political, economic, environmental, and social legacies of this color-coded revolution. However, we begin by asking what the revolution tasted like. Along with weekly readings and assignments that involve eating and cooking, we travel to India -- one of the Green Revolution's major laboratories and landscapes.
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Original text here: https://news.yale.edu/2026/05/04/mapping-ganges-mile-mile-new-showcase-yale-architects-decade-long-journey
Dartmouth School of Medicine: April Medical Student Grand Rounds
DARTMOUTH, New Hampshire, May 5 -- The Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine issued the following news:
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April Medical Student Grand Rounds
By Susan Green
Four Geisel School of Medicine students presented their research at April's Medical Student Grand Rounds at DHMC. Their work spanned three projects: RNA-based biomarkers to guide tarlatamab therapy in small cell lung cancer; treatment exposures and disease severity among rural New England patients with a chronic inflammatory skin disorder; and a data analysis of how rural health systems have underutilized of the Northern New England
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DARTMOUTH, New Hampshire, May 5 -- The Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine issued the following news:
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April Medical Student Grand Rounds
By Susan Green
Four Geisel School of Medicine students presented their research at April's Medical Student Grand Rounds at DHMC. Their work spanned three projects: RNA-based biomarkers to guide tarlatamab therapy in small cell lung cancer; treatment exposures and disease severity among rural New England patients with a chronic inflammatory skin disorder; and a data analysis of how rural health systems have underutilized of the Northern New England24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Registry.
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Here are summaries of their presentations:
Zofia Cieslak MED'28
Genomic and Transcriptomic Correlates of Response to Tarlatamab in Small Cell Lung Cancer
"Tarlatamab is a DLL3 bispecific T-cell engager which has demonstrated clinically meaningful activity in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Determinants of response or resistance to tarlatamab are not fully understood. We aimed to describe genomic and transcriptional correlates of tarlatamab sensitivity by using the clinical sequencing pipeline, DHCancerSeq, at a single comprehensive cancer center.
"We performed a retrospective analysis of 12 patients with biopsy-proven SCLC treated with tarlatamab, using whole-exome sequencing and whole-transcriptome sequencing on 12 pre-treatment biopsies and 2 post-treatment biopsies. Integrative analysis examined correlation between molecular features and clinical outcomes. The overall response rate was 50. Differences between SCLC driver alterations and tumor mutational burden were not significant between responders and non-responders, but homologous recombination deficiency scores were higher in responsive tumors. DLL3 expression was significantly greater in responders and demonstrated predictive discrimination for clinical response (AUC 0.83). Tumors responsive to tarlatamab were predominantly ASCL1-driven (SCLC-A) and demonstrated increased immune activation, such as enrichment of cytotoxic T-cell, NK-cell, and T cell transcriptional programs. Transcriptional subtype and a composite metric consisting of DLL3 expression and immune activity (DLI score) further discriminated between responders and non-responders (sensitivity 0.83, specificity 1). Paired post-treatment sample analysis identified loss of ASCL1 lineage and emergence of YAP1 expression and downregulation of DLL3, consistent with lineage plasticity as a mechanism of acquired resistance.
"We concluded that sensitivity to tarlatamab is correlated with a combination of increased DLL3 expression, ASCL1-driven lineage, and an increased immune activation. Lineage state reprogramming and decrease in DLL3 expression accompany acquired resistance to tarlatamab. These findings highlight the utility of RNA based biomarkers which integrate target expression, lineage state, and immune context to guide tarlatamab therapy in SCLC. Prospective validation of the whole-transcriptome DLI score and transcriptional subtype will inform tarlatamab response prediction."
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Effat Rahman MED'29
Patterns of Medical and Surgical Therapy for Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Rural New England
"Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, tunnels, and scarring, affecting areas such as the axillae, groin, and inframammary folds. The average worldwide prevalence of HS is estimated at 1% but varies geographically. In the United States, the prevalence has been reported to range from 0.1-1.0%. This condition has been shown to be 2-3x more prevalent in women than men, and 3x more prevalent in Black patients compared to White patients based in the United States. While HS pathophysiology is not fully understood, it is associated with an excessive and dysregulated inflammatory response around hair follicles, causing deep abscesses and tunneling under the skin. Treatment includes topical therapies, lifestyle modifications, systemic medications, pain management, and procedural interventions.
"Under the guidance of Dr. Natalie Fragoso at the Dartmouth Health Department of Dermatology, we conducted a retrospective chart review of 598 patients and collected data on patient demographics and treatment types. Our aim with this study is to characterize treatment exposures and disease severity among patients at a rural academic medical center in New England, to help inform future efforts regarding care design in specialized HS settings."
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Jason Weiss MED'27 and Dain Shirmer MED'27
The Northern New England 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Registry
"Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is the gold standard for characterizing blood pressure burden, circadian patterns, and short-term variability, yet remains underutilized in rural health systems. We describe the Northern New England ABPM Cohort, a cohort of roughly 650 adults undergoing 24-hour ABPM through a tertiary hypertension program serving a predominantly rural population. The registry integrates ambulatory blood pressure metrics with demographic, clinical, renal, and geographic data to provide a foundation for physiologic and epidemiologic analyses. The goal of this registry is to provide a prospective cohort of ambulatory blood pressure measurements to follow over time and evaluate how factors like rurality, sex, and demographic factors impact blood pressures over the course of a 24-hour day.
"We are also analyzing the data cross-sectionally to identify factors contributing to hypertensive morbidity in DHMC patients at present. Previous studies using this technology have focused on urban populations at large research centers--this study is unique in its sample size and focus on rurality as a modifier of blood pressure patterns. Collaborating with a team including the principal investigator Charles Hopley, MD, Todd Mackenzie, PhD, as well as two MPH students at Geisel: Cameron Diehl and Prerana Dubey, we hope to begin publishing our data this summer. Any feedback on how best to use this data from the greater Geisel community is greatly appreciated!"
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Original text here: https://geiselmed.dartmouth.edu/news/2026/april-medical-student-grand-rounds/
