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HPAI A(H5N1) Transmission Among Dairy Cattle in the U.S.: New Findings and Safety Measures

While the risk to the public remains low, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) is on the radar of those in sectors like livestock breeding, animal sciences and food production.

Published May 28, 2024

By Syra Madad, DHSc; Jason Kindrachuk, PhD; and Rick A. Bright, PhD

*Image courtesy of USDA NRCS Montana/Flickr*

Recent observations on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) have highlighted the virus’s transmission among dairy cattle in the United States. Key findings include ongoing detection and transmission of H5N1 among cattle, a second human case of H5N1 infection in a farmworker; mixed virus receptor distribution in mammary gland tissue of cattle, genetic evolution of H5N1 with onward transmission, evaluation of pasteurization effectiveness for virus inactivation, and a clinical description of HPAI H5N1 influenza A virus infection in a U.S. dairy farm worker.

Genomic and Epidemiologic Insights

In May 2024, investigators at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported genomic and epidemiologic data showing HPAI A(H5N1) spillover to, and transmission among, cattle. While prior data on Influenza A virus in cattle is scarce, the current geographic expansion of HPAI H5N1 among herds across multiple U.S. states demonstrates clade 2.3.4.4b’s affinity for cattle.

Reduced food intake, milk production, and shifting milk quality was first noted in January 2024, followed by detection of influenza A virus, specifically H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b genotype B3.13, by the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and National Veterinary Services Laboratories. Subsequent analysis suggested movement of genotype B3.13 between dairy cattle farms and domestic poultry.

The study’s authors suggested a single spillover event from wild birds with limited cattle-to-cattle transmission around December 2023. Additional spillovers were identified from infected cattle to poultry and other nearby mammals, with the virus potentially shedding from infected cattle for 14-21 days. Genome sequencing indicated ongoing evolution, possibly linked to mammalian adaptation.

Viral Receptor Distribution

Sialic acid receptors utilized by influenza A viruses for cellular attachment, are found in multiple cattle tissues, including the respiratory tract, mammary glands, and brain. Though all type of sialic acid receptors could be found in each of these areas, the types and concentration of sialic acid receptors varied by tissue; those used by human and duck viruses were more prominent in the mammary gland and to a lesser degree in the respiratory tract, while those used by chicken viruses were more prominent in the respiratory tract and to a lesser degree in the mammary glands.

These findings provide insights into HPAI A(H5N1)’s tissue tropism in cattle and its transmission patterns. The presence of multiple types of species-specific receptors for influenza A viruses located throughout the dairy cattle also permits hypotheses on potential for them to serve as a mixing vessel for accelerated reassortment of influenza viruses, increasing a potential for the evolution of an influenza A virus with human pandemic potential.

Pasteurization and Food Safety

On May 1, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed that pasteurization inactivates H5N1 virus in a variety of milk products. No infectious H5N1 virus was found in nearly 300 retail dairy samples that were positive for viral nucleic acid by quantitative PCR. Additionally, neither viral nucleic acid nor infectious virus was found in retail powdered infant formula and powdered milk. This supports pasteurization’s effectiveness in inactivating concentrations of H5N1 virus found in the milk supply among samples collected in April. Advisories against consuming raw/unpasteurized milk or milk products remain in place.

Clinical Case in a Dairy Farm Worker

A recent study reported on the first reported human case of H5N1 infection in a U.S. dairy farm worker who experienced ocular discomfort without respiratory symptoms or fever. The worker had close contact with symptomatic dairy cows from farms with confirmed H5N1 infections. Personal protective equipment included gloves but no ocular protection. Swab specimens from the conjunctiva and nasopharynx confirmed H5N1 through RT-PCR and viral genome sequencing. Home isolation and oral oseltamivir were recommended, leading to resolution of conjunctivitis.

No secondary infections were reported among household contacts. Importantly, viral sequences showed no mutations suggesting changes in receptor binding or antiviral susceptibility. However, a mutation in the internal PB2 gene showed a change that is more commonly associated with human adaptation and warrants close monitoring.

Implications and Recommendations

These reports underscore the need for comprehensive HPAI A(H5N1) surveillance in agricultural settings. While cattle infections have been reported by the USDA to be generally transient with mild symptoms, the potential impact on milk production and food security is significant. The risk of ongoing viral evolution and broad transmission among cattle could lead to further mammalian adaptation. Although human infections from cattle seem to be rare at this time, the burden of infection necessitates detailed assessments of human spillovers, especially in areas with current or prior outbreaks. This includes serology to establish spillover rates to humans and monitor for changes in spillover frequency.

While the general public’s risk remains low, those at higher risk include individuals with routine or frequent contact with potentially infected birds, livestock, other animals or contaminated animal products and environments (e.g., farmers, livestock workers, animal handlers, employees of milk and meat processing facilities, milk or carcass transport drivers, and veterinarians).

Human infections with H5N1 can occur when the virus enters the eyes, nose, or mouth, or is inhaled. This can happen through airborne droplets, small aerosol particles, or dust that settles on mucous membranes. Infection can also occur if a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches their mouth, eyes, or nose. Exposed individuals should monitor for symptoms within 10 days, including fever (100°F [37.8°C] or higher), chills, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, eye tearing, redness, or irritation, headaches, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and diarrhea.

About the Authors

Syra Madad, DHSc, MSc, MCP, CHEP is an internationally renowned epidemiologist in special pathogens preparedness and response, biosecurity advisor and science communicator. She serves as the Chief Biopreparedness Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, the U.S.’s largest municipal healthcare delivery system. Dr. Madad is a fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs where she leads the Women in STEM and Diversity in STEM series; she’s Core Faculty at the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC), and affiliate faculty at Boston University’s Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Her work focuses on the prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery from infectious disease outbreaks with an emphasis on healthcare and public health biopreparedness. She is known for her innovative strategies, which integrate emergency management principles with epidemiological methods, contributing significantly to the development of robust healthcare systems that can respond to emerging disease threats. You can follow her on X (twitter) and Instagram: @syramadad

Jason Kindrachuk, PhD is an Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair, Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

Rick A. Bright, PhD is CEO, Bright Global Health and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Public Health Peril: The Fungus Among Us

Think fungal infections are just annoying skin irritations like athlete’s foot and jock itch? Think again. The rise of antifungal resistance means the game has changed. What was once a surefire treatment is now uncertain, and severe, life-threatening fungal diseases are on the rise.

Published May 22, 2024

By Brooke Grindlinger, PhD

Panelists Paul Verweij, MD, FECMM (left), Professor of Clinical Mycology at Radboud University Medical Center of Expertise for Mycology; Tom Chiller, MD, MPHTM (center left), Chief of the Mycotic Diseases Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and John Rex, MD, FACP (center right), Chief Medical Officer at the antifungal biotech F2G, Ltd.; speak with public health journalist and author Maryn McKenna (right) at SXSW on March 11, 2024. The panelists discussed the real-life challenges posed by fungi and why fungal infections are becoming harder to treat.

Fungi are everywhere: in the soil, on our skin, and in the air we breathe. They give us the cheese on our burgers and the beer and wine we love. Despite their benefits, fungi aren’t always our friends. Every day, we inhale up to 100,000 or more fungal spores—our immune system usually keeps infections at bay. Yet, out of the estimated 2-11 million fungal species, about 200 can make us sick. On March 11, 2024, the South by Southwest Conference panel “Will Fungi Be the Last of Us?,” moderated by public health journalist and author Maryn McKenna, explored how fighting harmful fungal species is a growing public health challenge.

The Agricultural Connection: How Fungicides Fuel Drug Resistance

While we may inhale numerous fungi, our primary defense against fungal infections is our body temperature—most fungi can’t survive the heat of our lungs and prefer cooler environments. However, certain fungal species like Candida auris and Aspergillus thrive at human body temperature and can cause severe disease in hospitalized patients with weakened immune systems. Panelist Paul Verweij, MD, FECMM, Professor of Clinical Mycology at Radboud University Medical Center of Expertise for Mycology, highlighted the threat of Candida auris: “This is a new yeast, which is emerging, and has spread all over the world since 1996. One of the problems with (it) is that it is drug resistant.”

Dr. Verweij explained that exposure to agricultural azoles, chemical fungicides used on food crops, has driven this fungus to develop resistance to azoles. “The problem we face in hospitals is that we use the same type of drugs to treat our patients,” Verweij lamented.

The panel highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to the development of agricultural fungicides that do not have harmful ramifications for human health. Panelist John Rex, MD, FACP, Chief Medical Officer at the antifungal biotech F2G, Ltd., cited a 2023 concept paper issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency and developed in collaboration with the US Department of Health and Human Services, the US Department of Agriculture, and offices within the White House Executive Office of the President.

The paper, titled Concept for a Framework to Assess the Risk to the Effectiveness of Human and Animal Drugs Posed by Certain Antibacterial or Antifungal Pesticides, sought public feedback on potential solutions, research, or mitigation approaches to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Panelist Tom Chiller, MD, MPHTM, Chief of the Mycotic Diseases Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added, “The key is that we’re bringing groups together that don’t traditionally talk. We need to recognize that we each have problems that are going to be solved with these medicines. But how do we do it together so that we don’t affect that critical treatment [for a] patient with a fungal disease?”

Rising Temperatures, Rising Threats: Fungi in a Changing Climate

Dr. Chiller also emphasized the impact of climate change on the evolution of fungal species. “Fungi live out in the environment. If the environment changes—and climate change is causing environmental changes—the fungi have to adapt. They are going to try to tolerate higher temperatures. We need to understand that more.” Chiller pointed to Valley Fever, caused by the soil-based fungus Coccidioides: “It’s mainly in the Southwest [of the US], but now we know that the geographic area of this fungus is spreading. I have to think that climate change is playing a role.”

Closer Cousins Than You Think

Dr. Rex highlighted a critical difference in treating bacterial versus fungal infections. “You’ve heard of things like penicillin, sulfa [drugs], and erythromycin. There are at least a dozen completely different kinds of treatments for bacterial infections.” In contrast, Rex noted, “for fungi, there are only three major classes. The reason …. is that, believe it or not, one of your closest cousins is the fungi. We’re quite closely related, genetically. To find something that just kills the fungus and not the person, that’s hard. There are very few novel classes [of antifungal drugs] and each one we find is a precious jewel.”

Rapid diagnosis of fungal infection also remains challenging. Patient symptoms are often non-specific, and the sensitivity and specificity of available tests vary widely. Dr. Verweij shared his clinical experiences: “With only two classes of drug treatment available for Aspergillus infection, resistance to one treatment leaves the physician with just one drug to administer to the patient.” He highlighted the severe toxic side effects and the limited reach of these drugs. “If the infection spreads from the lung to the brain, then it’s extremely difficult to treat, and you can end up with an untreatable infection.”

Reviving Antimicrobial Development: The Promise of the PASTEUR Act

“Over the past decade, we’ve had several new antibiotics get approved, and then the companies go bankrupt,” Dr. Rex noted. He emphasized the importance of creating a sustainable financial model for developing and distributing new antimicrobials. “I’m very concerned that the ecosystem of people who know how to invent these drugs is drying up,” he warned. Dr. Rex shared his 15-year involvement in the development of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions To End Upsurging Resistance Act of 2023 (PASTEUR Act).

This bill, re-introduced in the US Senate in April 2023, aims to stimulate innovative drug development, improve the appropriate use of antibiotics, and ensure domestic availability of critical need antimicrobial medicines to prevent AMR from becoming the next global pandemic. The PASTEUR Act proposes an innovative payment model where the US federal government invests $6 billion over 10 years in novel antibiotics and antifungals through installment payments. In return, developers would provide their drugs free of charge to government programs once available. This initiative is designed to foster much-needed investment and prepare the nation’s health care system for the increasing threat of antibiotic- and antifungal-resistant infections.

Antifungal Development in the AI Era

Conference discussion also centered on the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence (AI) across diverse industries and its role in antifungal development naturally emerged. Dr. Rex emphasized the immense potential of AI tools in assessing the toxicity risks associated with promising molecules identified during drug development. He noted, “That has, so far, evaded all simple prediction tools.”

Learn more about the dual nature of fungi—beneficial allies and deadly foes—at the July 18, 2024 hybrid Academy event featuring a conversation with mycologist, immunologist, and author Arturo Casadevall, MD, PhD, about his new book, What if Fungi Win?

Using AI and Neuroscience to Transform Mental Health

With a deep appreciation for the liberal arts, neuroscientist Marjorie Xie is developing AI systems to facilitate the treatment of mental health conditions and improve access to care.

Published May 8, 2024

By Nick Fetty

As the daughter of a telecommunications professional and a software engineer, it may come as no surprise that Marjorie Xie was destined to pursue a career in STEM. What was less predictable was her journey through the field of artificial intelligence because of her liberal arts background.

From the City of Light to the Emerald City

Marjorie Xie, a member of the inaugural cohort of the AI and Society Fellowship, a collaboration between The New York Academy of Sciences and Arizona State University’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society, was born in Paris, France. Her parents, who grew up in Beijing, China, came to the City of Light to pursue their graduate studies, and they instilled in their daughter an appreciation for STEM as well as a strong work ethic.

The family moved to Seattle, Washington in 1995 when her father took a job with Microsoft. He was among the team of software engineers who developed the Windows operating system and the Internet Explorer web browser. Growing up, her father encouraged her to understand how computers work and even to learn some basic coding.

“Perhaps from his perspective, these skills were just as important as knowing how to read,” said Xie. “He emphasized to me; you want to be in control of the technology instead of letting technology control you.”

Xie’s parents gifted her a set of DK Encyclopedias as a child, her first serious exposure to science, which inspired her to take “field trips” into her backyard to collect and analyze samples. While her parents instilled in her an appreciation for science and technology, Xie admits her STEM classes were difficult and she had to work hard to understand the complexities. She said she was easily intimated by math growing up, but certain teachers helped her reframe her purpose in the classroom.

“My linear algebra teacher in college was extremely skilled at communicating abstract concepts and created a supportive learning environment – being a math student was no longer about knowing all the answers and avoiding mistakes,” she said. “It was about learning a new language of thought and exploring meaningful ways to use it. With this new perspective, I felt empowered to raise my hand and ask basic questions.”

She also loved reading and excelled in courses like philosophy, literature, and history, which gave her a deep appreciation for the humanities and would lay the groundwork for her future course of studies. Xie designed her own major in computational neuroscience at Princeton University, with her studies bringing in elements of philosophy, literature, and history.

“Throughout college, the task of choosing a major created a lot of tension within me between STEM and the humanities,” said Xie. “Designing my own major was a way of resolving this tension within the constraints of the academic system in which I was operating.”

She then pursued her PhD in Neurobiology and Behavior at Columbia University, where she used AI tools to build interpretable models of neural systems in the brain.

A Deep Dive into the Science of Artificial and Biological Intelligence

Xie worked in Columbia’s Center for Theoretical Neuroscience where she studied alongside physicists and used AI to understand how nervous systems work. Much of her work is based on the research of the late neuroscientist David Marr who explained information-processing systems at three levels: computation (what the system does), algorithm (how it does it), and implementation (what substrates are used).

“We were essentially using AI tools – specifically neural networks – as a language for describing the cerebellum at all of Marr’s levels,” said Xie. “A lot of the work understanding how the cerebellar architecture works came down to understanding the mathematics of neural networks. An equally important part was ensuring that the components of the model be mapped onto biologically meaningful phenomena that could be measured in animal behavior experiments.”

Her dissertation focused on the cerebellum, the region of the brain used during motor control, coordination, and the processing of language and emotions. She said the neural architecture of the cerebellum is “evolutionarily conserved” meaning it can be observed across many species, yet scientists don’t know exactly what it does.

“The mathematically beautiful work from Marr-Albus in the 1970s played a big role in starting a whole movement of modeling brain systems with neural networks. We wanted to extend these theories to explain how cerebellum-like architecture could support a wide range of behaviors,” Xie said.

As a computational neuroscientist, Xie learned how to map ideas between the math world and the natural world. She attributes her PhD advisor, Ashok Litwin-Kumar, an assistant professor of neuroscience at Columbia University, for playing a critical role in her development of this skill.

“Even though my current research as a postdoc is less focused on the neural level, this skill is still my bread and butter. I am grateful for the countless hours Ashok spent with me at the whiteboard,” Xie said.

Joining a Community of Socially Responsible Researchers

After completing her PhD, Xie interned with Basis Research Institute, where she developed models of avian cognition and social behavior. It was here that her mentor, Emily Mackevicius, co-founder and director at Basis, encouraged her to apply to the AI and Society Fellowship.

The Fellowship has enabled Xie to continue growing professionally through opportunities such as collaborations with research labs, the winter academic sessions at Arizona State, the Academy’s weekly AI and Society seminars, and by working with a cohort of like-minded scholars across diverse backgrounds, including Tom Gilbert, PhD, an advisor for the AI and Society Fellowship, as well as the other two AI and Society Fellows Akuadasuo Ezenyilimba and Nitin Verma.

During the Fellowship, her interest in combining neuroscience and AI with mental health led her to develop research collaborations at Mt. Sinai Center for Computational Psychiatry. With the labs of Angela Radulescu and Xiaosi Gu, Xie is building computational models to understand causal relationships between attention and mood, with the goal of developing tools that will enable those with medical conditions like ADHD or bipolar disorder to better regulate their emotional states.

“The process of finding the right treatment can be a very trial-and-error based process,” said Xie. “When treatments work, we don’t necessarily know why they work. When they fail, we may not know why they fail. I’m interested in how AI, combined with a scientific understanding of the mind and brain, can facilitate the diagnosis and treatment process and respect its dynamic nature.”

Challenged to Look Beyond the Science

Xie says the Academy and Arizona State University communities have challenged her to venture beyond her role as a scientist and to think like a designer and as a public steward. This means thinking about AI from the perspective of stakeholders and engaging them in the decision-making process.

“Even the question of who are the stakeholders and what they care about requires careful investigation,” Xie said. “For whom am I building AI tools? What do these populations value and need? How can they be empowered and participate in decision-making effectively?”

More broadly, she considers what systems of accountability need to be in place to ensure that AI technology effectively serves the public. As a case study, Xie points to mainstream social media platforms that were designed to maximize user engagement, however the proxies they used for engagement have led to harmful effects such as addiction and increased polarization of beliefs.

She is also mindful that problems in mental health span multiple levels – biological, psychological, social, economic, and political.

“A big question on my mind is, what are the biggest public health needs around mental health and how can computational psychiatry and AI best support those needs?” Xie asked.

Xie hopes to explore these questions through avenues such as journalism and entrepreneurship. She wants to integrate various perspectives gained from lived experience.

“I want to see the world through the eyes of people experiencing mental health challenges and from providers of care. I want to be on the front lines of our mental health crises,” said Xie.

More than a Scientist

Outside of work, Xie serves as a resident fellow at the International House in New York City, where she organizes events to build community amongst a diverse group of graduate students from across the globe. Her curiosity about cultures around the world led her to visit a mosque for the first time, with Muslim residents from I-House, and to participate in Ramadan celebrations.

“That experience was deeply satisfying.” Xie said, “It compels me to get to know my neighbors even better.”

Xie starts her day by hitting the pool at 6:00 each morning with the U.S. Masters Swimming team at Columbia University. She approaches swimming differently now than when she was younger and competed competitively in an environment where she felt there was too much emphasis on living up to the expectations of others. Instead, she now looks at it as an opportunity to grow.

“Now, it’s about engaging in a continual process of learning,” she said. “Being around faster swimmers helps me learn through observation. It’s about being deliberate, exercising my autonomy to set my own goals instead of meeting other people’s expectations. It’s about giving my full attention to the present task, welcoming challenges, and approaching each challenge with openness and curiosity.”

Read about the other AI and Society Fellows:

Exploring the Age-Old Question of “Why We Die?”

A man presents during an event at The New York Academy of Sciences.

Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan, world-renowned molecular biologist, presents the science about why humans die.

Published May 7, 2024

By Nick Fetty

Nobel Prize winner Venki Ramakrishnan is interviewed by Titia de Lange, Director of The Rockefeller University’s Anderson Center for Cancer Research, at The New York Academy of Sciences on April 16, 2024.

Why do we die? This age old question is the topic of Nobel Prize-winning author Venki Ramakrishnan’s book Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality.

Ramakrishnan discussed his new book with Titia de Lange, Director of The Rockefeller University’s Anderson Center for Cancer Research, during the “Authors at the Academy” event at The New York Academy of Sciences on April 16, 2024. He began by suggesting that humans may be the only species aware of its own mortality.

While societies have long focused on both the philosophical and the scientific dimensions of mortality, Ramakrishnan pointed out that aging research was considered “something of a backwater in molecular biology for a long time.” It’s only been over the past half-century that this field of research has become more mainstream.

“[While there have been advances in the research], because this is an area that people are concerned about, and they’re anxious about, there’s also a lot of hype,” said Ramakrishnan, who is also a member of the Academy’s President’s Council.

As a molecular biologist, Ramakrishnan avoided speculation, focusing instead on researching an objective, scientifically-based case about aging and mortality.

Evolution and Mortality

Ramakrishnan said there is a wide range in lifecycles of different creatures, from a mayfly which can live for just a day, to certain species of sharks and whales that may live for more than a century.

“A giant tortoise might be around today that could have encountered [Charles] Darwin,” Ramakrishnan said, with a nod to the renowned evolutionary biologist who was an honorary member of the Academy more than a century ago.

Researchers believe that evolution is largely focused on fitness, which, in this context, Ramakrishnan defined as “maximizing the ability to successfully pass on your genes.” Part of this fitness is tied to physical size. He pointed out that creatures like mice tend to have shorter lifespans than an elephant or a whale.

“You might ask, why is that?” Ramakrishnan said. “Well, aging is an accumulation of chemical damage which manifests itself from the molecular level all the way to the entire organism. To repair such damage takes lots of resources and lots of energy. So, this has a cost because animals are always trying to get energy.”

From an evolutionary standpoint, to maximize fitness it’s more advantageous for a creature like a mouse to allocate its resources to features such as rapid growth, rapid maturation, and producing many offspring. Conversely, larger animals allocate resources to repairing and maintaining natural chemical damage because such creatures need to live longer to raise their offspring to full maturity, Ramakrishnan argued.

This is what evolutionary biologists call the Antagonistic Pleiotropy theory. Based on this theory, genes that involve rapid growth or rapid maturation often turn out to be detrimental later in life and contribute to aging.

The Metabolic Rate Theory of Aging

According to Ramakrishnan, the metabolic rate theory states that “if you have increased metabolism then you’re generating byproducts…like free radicals and reactive species which can cause damage. So, the faster your metabolism is, the more likely the higher the rate at which you’re going to age.”

Generally, a faster metabolism means a shorter lifespan, but Ramakrishnan said this is not always the case. He used the example of some species of smaller bats, that are similar in size to mice, but because of the bat’s ability to fly, are less likely to be targets of predators, and can live for as long as 40 years.

“I think biologists would say it’s really about evolutionary choice and how each species has been selected for optimizing that choice,” said Ramakrishnan. “That choice could be, yes there’s damage but you can also repair the damage, so how much do you spend on repairing the damage?”

Researchers who study aging are divided about the potential maximum lifespan of humans. Some believe that 115 is the top of the range, while others feel that the first person to live to 150 has already been born. Ramakrishnan said he thinks the current natural limit is around 120 years, citing the fact that the number of centenarians (those who live to the age of 100) has increased in recent decades, but the number of people who live past the age of 110 has not.

“That suggests that those people who reach 110, are hitting some natural limit of our biology, of our species,” said Ramakrishnan, adding that he feels that those who think the upper limit is 150 are being “excessively optimistic.”

Societal Impacts of Expanded Lifespans

Science aside, what are the societal impacts of expanded lifespans? Several private sector tech billionaires have shown interest in extending lifespans. As Ramakrishnan points out, the issue has also been on the radar of government agencies such as NIH’s National Institute on Aging in the US or the Medical Research Council in the UK.

“So, the question is how do we keep people healthy for as long as possible so people can stay productive?” asked Ramakrishnan.

The answer may well lie with the next generation of scientists who will bring in innovative ideas and fresh perspectives. While Ramakrishnan remains productive, he concedes it may be time to retire next year.

“I think there are lots of roles we can play without taking away resources from the younger people,” said Ramakrishnan, citing examples like serving on editorial boards or as mentors. “Generational turnover is good for society and good for science.”

For on-demand video access to the full event, click here.

Learn more about upcoming events in the Authors at the Academy series:

Crossing Species: The Rising Threat of H5N1 Bird Flu in the U.S.

The CDC recently confirmed a human case of HPAI A (H5N1) in Texas. Renowned epidemiologist Syra Madad and distinguished virologist Jason Kindrachuk offer tips to farmers, animal caretakers, and the general public on how to avoid contracting and spreading this strain of avian influenza.

Published April 16, 2024

By Syra Madad, D.H.Sc., M.Sc., MCP, CHEP and Jason Kindrachuk, PhD

Avian influenza H5N1, commonly known as bird flu, is a viral infection that affects both domestic and wild birds, along with a wide array of other animals. First identified in 1996, H5N1 has recently re-emerged in a significant panzootic form, specifically clade 2.3.4.4.b, impacting a broad spectrum of wildlife and domestic animals, including more than 200 mammal species.

Concerningly, this has included confirmed infections among numerous species not previously known to be susceptible to H5N1, including marine mammals, as well as in agricultural mammalian species such as cattle and goats. The rapid geographic expansion to all continents except Australia is also concerning. This notable spread across species is particularly alarming due to the potential for severe illness and death in humans as well as economic and food security impacts. This includes both within the agriculture industry as well as among communities reliant on wild game as a food source.

Confirmed Case in Texas

In March, the CDC confirmed a human case of HPAI A(H5N1) in Texas, related to contact with infected dairy cattle, marking the first recorded instance of probable mammal-to-human transmission in the U.S., and the second human case since 2022. Although human infections are rare and no sustained human-to-human transmission has been reported in the U.S., this event underlines the real risk H5N1 poses to individuals in close proximity to infected animals or contaminated environments.

Of note, a single mutation previously found to be associated with adaptation to mammalian hosts was identified within the viral genome sequence isolated from the recent U.S. case (PB2 E627K). However, while this demonstrates the need for continued surveillance and analysis of H5N1 genome sequences, there is no current evidence suggestive of altered human-to-human transmission for the virus or increased antiviral resistance. The CDC currently deems the risk to the broader U.S. populace as low; nevertheless, people with unprotected, extended exposure to infected birds or animals, or to contaminated areas, are at an elevated risk of contracting the virus.

The table below outlines recommended preventive measures for both the general public and those at heightened risk due to their work or recreational activities, aiming to reduce the likelihood of H5N1 infection.

About the Authors

Syra Madad, D.H.Sc., M.Sc., MCP, CHEP is an internationally renowned epidemiologist in special pathogens preparedness and response, biosecurity advisor and science communicator. She serves as the Senior Director of the System-wide Special Pathogens Program at NYC Health + Hospitals, the U.S.’s largest municipal healthcare delivery system. Dr. Madad is a fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs where she leads the Women in STEM and Diversity in STEM series; she’s Core Faculty at the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC), and affiliate faculty at Boston University’s Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Read more from Dr. Madad on the Academy blog: The COVID-19 Pandemic at Year Four: The Imperative for Global Health Solidarity

Jason Kindrachuk, PhD is an Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair, Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Women’s Health 2.0: The AI Era

Charting the evolution of women’s healthcare in the AI era, illuminating the promise and challenges of predictive tech to close the health gender gap.

Published April 12, 2024

By Brooke Grindlinger, PhD

Panelists Sara Reistad-Long (left), Healthcare Strategist at Empowered; Alicia Jackson, PhD, Founder and CEO of Evernow; Christina Jenkins, MD, General Partner at Convergent Ventures; and Robin Berzin, MD, Founder and CEO of Parsley Health speak at SXSW on March 9, 2024. The panelists discussed the promise and risks that AI and predictive tech carry as a path to closing the healthcare gender gap.

Less than 2% of global healthcare research and development is dedicated to female-specific conditions beyond cancer, as was starkly revealed in the January 2024 World Economic Forum and McKinsey Health Institute report, “Closing the Women’s Health Gap: A $1 Trillion Opportunity to Improve Lives and Economies.” Rectifying this disparity holds the potential to inject over $1 trillion annually into the global economy by 2040 through bolstered female workforce participation. In February 2024, America’s First Lady Jill Biden unveiled a $100 million federal funding initiative for women’s health research, marking a significant milestone for the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research intended to fundamentally change how the US approaches and funds research in this area. On March 9, 2024, the South by Southwest Conference hosted a pivotal panel discussion titled “Can AI Close the Health Gender Gap?” moderated by Sara Reistad-Long, a Healthcare Strategist at Empowered. This gathering of clinicians, digital health tech executives, and investors delved into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive technology in mitigating gender disparities in healthcare.

Women’s Health Beyond Reproduction

The panelists began by establishing a shared definition of ‘women’s health.’ Historically, women’s health has been narrowly defined as reproductive health, primarily concerning the female reproductive organs such as the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and to some extent, breasts. Yet, as panelist Christina Jenkins, MD, General Partner at Convergent Ventures, aptly pointed out, the scope of women’s health transcends this narrow scope. “There’s so much more to women’s health than that,” she emphasized, advocating for a broader understanding. “We consider ‘women’s health’ as a specific practice… focused on things that are unique to women, which are those reproductive organs and [associated conditions], but also conditions that disproportionately… or differently affect women.” She elaborated with examples ranging from autoimmune diseases to conditions like migraine, colon cancer, and variances in women’s reactions to asthma medications.

Overlooked and Underserved: Women’s Health Blind Spots

The historical exclusion of women from health research and clinical trials has perpetuated the flawed assumption that women’s bodies and health outcomes mirror those of men, neglecting their unique biological and medical complexities. “Women were not included in medical research until 1993. Women are diagnosed later in over 700 conditions. Some of our most pressing chronic conditions that are on the rise take 5-7 years to be diagnosed—like autoimmune conditions—and 80% of them occur in women,” observed panelist Robin Berzin, MD, Founder and CEO of digital health company Parsley Health.

AI’s Promise in Closing the Research to Practice Gap

Alicia Jackson, PhD, Founder and CEO of digital health company Evernow, which is focused on women’s health at ages 40+, has spearheaded groundbreaking research that has yielded one of the most extensive and diverse datasets on menopause and perimenopause. This dataset encompasses a multifaceted understanding, ranging from the manifestation of bodily symptoms during these life stages to the impact of variables such as race, ethnicity, income levels, hysterectomy status, and concurrent medications on patient outcomes. Furthermore, Jackson and her team have identified treatment protocols associated with both short-term relief and long-term health benefits. Despite possessing this wealth of information, Jackson posed a critical question: “I now have this massive dataset, but how do I actually get it into clinical practice to impact the woman that I am seeing tomorrow?” “There’s a huge opportunity for us to leverage clinical data in new ways to give us insights to personalize care,” added Berzin.

From Data Deluge to Personalized Care

Despite the increasing availability of rich research data on women’s health, significant challenges persist in promptly translating this data into effective patient care. With over a million new peer-reviewed publications in biomedicine added annually to the PubMed database, the sheer volume overwhelms individual healthcare providers. “That’s an impossible sum of research for any individual doctor…to digest and use,” observed Berzin. “New information takes 17 years to make its way from publication into medical education, and then even longer into clinical practice,” she lamented. “What I’m excited about when it comes to AI and closing the gender gap is the opportunity for us to close the research gap. What AI will let all of us do is take in a lot of the data sets that have been unwieldy in the past and leverage them to personalize care. The rapidity and pace at which we can begin to gain insights from the data, which is otherwise like drinking from a fire hose, represents an opportunity for us to catch up [on] that gender gap.” Jackson added, “AI gives me a time machine…to immediately take those results and apply them and impact women today.”

AI Nurse Anytime, Anywhere

The conversation shifted to AI’s potential to address the critical shortage of healthcare providers in the United States. Berzin highlighted the systemic issues, stating, “We don’t have enough doctors. We are not training enough doctors. We are not importing enough doctors. We have really big disparities in terms of where the doctors are.” Jackson expanded on the role of AI beyond tackling the provider shortfall and fast-tracking diagnostic processes, emphasizing its potential to facilitate culturally sensitive care. She emphasized that AI could go beyond delivering data and outcomes; it’s about understanding the nuances of cultural preferences in healthcare delivery. Jackson noted that women want more than just symptom discussion; they want to delve into the emotional and relational impacts of navigating the healthcare system. “Right now, no traditional healthcare system has time beyond that 15-minute appointment to listen and to understand.” However, AI offers the possibility of unlimited time for patients to share their experiences. With the assistance of AI, patients can access personalized care on their terms, allowing for a more enriching and fulfilling healthcare experience. Jackson continued, “If you have a $9 per hour AI nurse that can take that entire [patient] history, that [the patient can] call up in the middle of the night, on your commute to work, and just continue to add to that [history]…now you’ve created this very, very rich experience. Suddenly, it’s healthcare on your terms.”

Women’s Patient Empowerment Through AI

In addition to its potential to enhance healthcare accessibility and availability, AI emerged as a catalyst for empowering women to take charge of their healthcare journey. Jackson underscored a prevalent issue in women’s healthcare: the need for multiple doctor visits before receiving a correct diagnosis. She highlighted AI’s transformative potential in bridging this gap by empowering women to input their symptoms into AI platforms like ChatGPT, potentially integrating data from wearable devices, and receiving informed guidance—such as urgent care recommendations—immediately. This represents a significant stride in patient empowerment.

AI’s Achilles’ Heel

However, Jenkins cautioned against the pitfalls of AI, citing the case of Babylon Health, a UK-based digital health service provider. She recounted a troubling incident where the Babylon Health AI platform, during a system test, misdiagnosed a woman experiencing symptoms of a heart attack as having an anxiety attack, while advising a man with the same symptoms and medical history to seek immediate medical attention for a heart attack. “This is what happens when you build something well-meaning on top of bad data,” cautioned Jenkins. She went on to emphasize the critical need to use real-world evidence to mitigate gender biases entrenched in clinical research data. “There is an imperative, not just for the algorithms to eliminate bias, but to make sure that the data sources are there. That’s why we have to use real-world evidence instead of clinical research.”

Learn more about the opportunities and challenges surrounding the integration of AI-driven technologies into the healthcare system at the upcoming Academy conference: The New Wave of AI in Healthcare 2024, May 1-2, 2024 in New York.

The Academy’s Role in Asbestos Abatement

While the United States recently took formal action to ban the use of chrysotile asbestos, experts with The New York Academy of Sciences have voiced concern about this dangerous carcinogen for more than half a century.

Published April 5, 2024

By Nick Fetty

Piping with an asbestos wrap.
Image courtesy of Alan Levine/Flickr.

In March 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a regulation prohibiting “the use, manufacture and import of chrysotile asbestos,” a source of mesothelioma and the last known raw form of asbestos used in the United States.

While banning this dangerous substance has been a work in progress for more than half a century, The New York Academy of Sciences was one of the first organizations to voice concerns by expert scientists.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral fiber naturally occurring in rock and soil. Use of asbestos in the United States dates back more than two centuries, though it was during the Industrial Revolution (around the middle of the 19^th century) that asbestos imports began taking off.

Throughout much of the 20^th century, asbestos was used in different ways, but it wasn’t until around the 1930s that it began commonly being used in the construction of homes and buildings. Asbestos was used in an array of construction materials from insulation and pipe wraps to flooring and roofing. The first instances of asbestos-related diseases were reported in the 1920s and 1930s, though it would take nearly another half century before the U.S. government would begin regulating the use of the substance.

The Academy’s Involvement

*Image courtesy of* Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

It was during the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association convened at The New York Academy of Sciences in 1964 (then headquartered on the Upper East Side) where researchers began to engage in a serious dialogue about the negative public health effects associated with asbestos.

These researchers pointed to a study in Africa, in which there were 33 reported cases of mesothelioma in a particular region where asbestos is mined. Another study in New York City, examining workers exposed to asbestos during construction, found that of the nearly 307 construction trade union member deaths between 1943 and 1964, 10 were linked to mesothelioma. The report stated this was “an extraordinary high incidence for a tumor generally so rare.”

While researchers at the time admitted they did not have direct evidence, they were noticing linkages between occupational asbestos exposure and increased rates of cancers like mesothelioma. Another troubling aspect, as noted by the researchers, was that it can take a worker a latent period of 20 years or more between the time they are initially exposed to when they are diagnosed with cancer.

“It would appear that mesothelioma must be added to the neoplastic (cancer) risks of asbestos inhalation and joins lung cancer (53 out of 307 deaths) and probably cancer of the stomach and colon (34 out of 307 deaths) as a significant complication of such industrial exposure in the United States,” the Associated Press reported.

Regulating Asbestos

The first asbestos restrictions in the United States occurred in 1973, followed by other concerted efforts throughout the 1970s. The EPA attempted a complete ban on asbestos in 1989; however this effort was overturned by the First Circuit Court of Appeals in 1991. A 2022 rule by EPA was aimed at overturning this decision.

In March 2024, the Biden administration finalized the ban on chrysotile or white asbestos, the last remaining type of asbestos used in the United States. Companies will have up to 12 years to phase out the use of asbestos in their manufacturing processes.

The December 1965 issue of Annals that first reported these findings remains one of the most “sought and referenced” today, according to Douglas Braaten, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer for the Academy and Editor-in-Chief of Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. A subsequent Annals issue published in 1979 extended the reporting of hazards associated with asbestos exposure.

The Origin of the Term “Psychedelic”

The man who is known to have supplied author Aldous Huxley with hallucinogenic drugs publicly coined the word “psychedelic” during an Academy event in 1957.

Published April 4, 2024

By Nick Fetty

Psilocybin, also known as “magic mushrooms,” are among the hallucinogenic drugs that are studied for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits.

For many, the term “psychedelic” may conjure familiar images of the 1960s, mind-altering substances, and bands like Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead. What may be less well known is that the public origin of the term itself can be traced to an event held at The New York Academy of Sciences.

Humphry Osmond was a psychiatrist, researcher, and professor of psychology at the University of Alabama. He served as a psychiatrist in the navy during World War II and after his service began conducting research on the use of hallucinogenic drugs to treat mental illness and substance abuse.

The Origins of LSD

Osmond was interested in the work of Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman who, in 1943, discovered the hallucinogenic drug lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). This discovery actually came by accident, when Hoffman unknowingly ingested a small amount of the substance and experienced what’s believed to be the first “acid trip” as he rode his bike home, with some help from his assistant, after leaving the lab.

Word about the drug’s effects spread and eventually government intelligence agencies became intrigued in it’s (as well as mescaline’s) potential as a way to pry information out of individuals being interrogated. Osmond, however, saw a different application for the newly discovered drug and ironically enough thought it had potential to help treat substance abuse, specifically alcoholism.

Osmond moved to Saskatchewan, Canada in the early 1950s and conducted research at the Weyburn Mental Hospital with support from the Canadian government and the Rockefeller Foundation. Alongside Abram Hoffer, the duo experimented with LSD as a treatment, under carefully controlled conditions, for nearly 2000 patients struggling with alcoholism. The findings were quite promising, and the duo reported that 40 to 45 percent of those treated using LSD between 1954 and 1960 did not return to drinking after one year.

The Origin of the Term “Psychedelic”

During this era, Osmond connected with Aldous Huxley, the author renowned for his books Brave New World and The Doors of Perception. Osmond was known to supply Huxley with hallucinogenic drugs like LSD and mescaline.

Huxley and Osmond worked together to come up with a word to describe the effects of LSD. Huxley concocted “phanerothyme” by combining the Greek words for “to show” and “spirit” as well as the tagline: “To make this mundane world sublime, Take half a gram of phanerothyme.” Osmond, however, came up with his own phrase: psychedelic. He combined the Greek words for psyche (for mind or soul) and deloun (for show), along with his own rhyme: “To fathom Hell or soar angelic/Just take a pinch of psychedelic.” Osmond said the term meant “mind manifesting” and that it was “clear, euphonious and uncontaminated by other associations.”

Much like a user drops acid, Osmond dropped the term “psychedelic” during a meeting at The New York Academy of Sciences in 1957. His appearance at the Academy was part of his effort to discuss his research in this area, which was published as “A Review of the Clinical Effects of Psychotomimetic Agents” in the March 1957 issue of Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

A Revival of Alternative Therapies

However, as backlash to the “turn on, tune in, drop out” mantra of the 1960s, governments became concerned with the potential harm of the recreational use of LSD. New York State and California made it illegal to possess the substance in 1966, and four years later it became illegal at the federal level.

Research on using hallucinogenic drugs in medical applications has been revived in recent years and is now being studied to treat everything from substance abuse and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. In at least one case in Silicon Valley, some have experimented with microdosing of psychedelic drugs (LSD and psilocybin) to improve work performance in areas like concentration and problem solving.

The Academy has a long history of hosting events that promote the use of alternative therapies to treat ailments. Reports from The New Yorker discuss the Academy’s involvement with therapeutic uses of meprobamate in the 1950s and hypnosis in the 1970s, while reporting in The New York Times examined research on the medicinal benefits of cannabis presented at the Academy in the 1970s. Today, the Academy continues to promote promising alternative therapies, including during a 2023 conference that examined near death experiences and the use of psychedelics in medical treatment.

Janssen Award Symposium Spotlights Robert Langer, Biomaterials Pioneer and Beloved Mentor

Self-boosting vaccines. Regeneration of diseased tissues and missing limbs. Organs on a chip.

Published March 06, 2024
By David Freeman

Such life-saving advances in biotechnology—some already in existence and others in the works–took the spotlight on February 8, 2024, when thousands of attendees around the world gathered online for the Paul Janssen Award Symposium in honor of Robert S. Langer, ScD, a renowned chemical engineer and entrepreneur best known for his pioneering work in drug delivery systems and tissue engineering.

Dr. Langer, whose work has led to new treatments for heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and other ailments, is the 2023 recipient of the Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research. Given annually by Johnson & Johnson to a scientist or scientists who have made a “transformational contribution toward the improvement of human health,” the award includes a sculpture and a $200,000 cash prize. Eight of the 23 scientists who have received the award have gone on to win the Nobel Prize.

Impactful Research from MIT

Hosted by The New York Academy of Scientists and the Dr. Paul Janssen Award, with sponsorship by J&J, the event featured a keynote address by Dr. Langer as well as talks by a trio of eminent researchers who trained with him at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he is one of a handful of faculty members who hold the prestigious title of Institute Professor.

The other researchers, who detailed their own research and described Dr. Langer’s contributions as a scientist and mentor, were Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D., professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Connecticut and CEO of the Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering; Kristi Anseth, Ph.D., professor of chemical and biological engineering at the University of Colorado; and Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, Ph.D., professor of biomedical engineering and medicine at Columbia University.

The event began with remarks from Academy president and CEO Nicholas B. Dirks who hailed Dr. Langer as “a luminary figure” whose work “reflects a visionary spirit that advances science while demonstrating the importance of this research for the public good, inspiring the next generation of innovators and scientists to follow in his path.” Following Professor Dirks, William N. Hait, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Chief External Innovation and Medical Officer, and a member of the Johnson & Johnson Executive Committee, praised Dr. Langer for his groundbreaking work at the intersection of biomaterials and biotechnology. He also highlighted Dr. Langer’s remarkable productivity, with over 1,400 patents issued or pending and nearly 1,600 publications.

Blazing a Trail in Biotechnology

Dr. Langer said he was humbled to have received the award and then went on to explain the roundabout way he got his start in biotechnology. After getting a chemical engineering degree from Cornell University in 1974, he said, he turned multiple job offers from oil companies. “I just didn’t want to spend my life doing that,” he recalled. He wrote to universities, medical schools, and hospitals, hoping to land a job in science curriculum development or in medicine—but got nowhere, he said, because he lacked the right pedigree for such work.

Ultimately, Judah Folkman, a Boston surgeon with a reputation for hiring “unusual people” to work in his lab, brought on the young engineer with the task of developing tiny particles that release molecules that block the growth of blood vessels within tumors. Blocking this growth, the “anti-angiogenesis” theory went, would starve tumors of the oxygen and nutrients they need to grow.

Many scientists said the task was impossible. But Dr. Langer was undeterred. “I spent several years working on this, and I literally found several hundred ways to get this to not work,” he said. “But eventually we got one way to get it to work, and I was able to make these tiny little particles.”

The First Anti-angiogenesis Cancer Drug to Win FDA Approval

In a 1976 paper published in the journal Science, Dr. Langer showed that microparticles that deliver macromolecules could indeed inhibit blood vessel formation in tumors. Years later, he patented the technology, and in 2004 Avastin (bevacizumab) became the first anti-angiogenesis cancer drug to win FDA approval. It and other drugs based on the technology are now used to treat various cancers, as well as the vision-robbing eye disorders macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, which are caused by abnormal vascularization in the back of the eye.

Dr. Langer and his collaborators went on to develop polymer materials that could be tailored to release drugs within the body continuously at a specified rate—a functionality that they thought might prove useful for the treatment of brain cancer. As with the earlier anti-angiogenesis research, other researchers expressed skepticism about the safety and effectiveness of these synthetic degradable polymers. But Dr. Langer and his collaborators, including Dr. Laurencin, didn’t give up; in 1996 the FDA approved Gliadel for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, the deadly brain malignancy. It was the first new drug approved for the treatment of brain cancer in two decades and the first ever approved for local chemotherapy, according to Dr. Langer.

Applications to Covid

Dr. Langer went on to help in the development of a technology to immunize people against Covid without the need for repeated injections, using 3D printing to fabricate microneedle-equipped transdermal patches that deliver periodic “pulses” of vaccine without the need for repeated booster shots. Ongoing research, he said, will find out if related technologies might be possible to engineer synthetic tissues and organs that would replace diseased ones. “You could combine cells with materials and theoretically make almost any organ,” he said, including skin to treat burns and diabetic ulcers.

Dr. Langer said, “I’m incredibly proud of my students, who received all kinds of awards and great jobs”—and the three speakers returned the compliment to their former mentor.

An “unmatched record of brilliance”

Dr. Vunjak-Novakovic said Dr. Langer has an “unmatched record of brilliance.” With his more than 400,000 citations and 1,600 papers, she said, he is “the fourth-most cited scientist of any kind in the world and the most cited engineer in human history…About 400 of his 1,000 trainees are today faculty at prime universities around the world.”

Said Dr. Anseth, “He was always very encouraging. To this day I’m inspired by his ability to be available. Usually, his response time is in minutes and not hours.”

Dr. Anseth said she had a longstanding interest not only in developing new disease-fighting biomaterials but also in exploiting patient-specific cells or tissues with the goal of moving from off-the-shelf drugs into personalized, sex-specific medicine. “A lot of times in medicine, we scale down products, so we think of a woman as a small man…but that is not the case at all.”

Different Affects for Males and Females

Many ailments affect males and females differently, she said, including mental illness, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. She recounted her and her collaborators’ work on valvular heart disease in particular, an ailment that traditionally has required surgery to replace the diseased heart valve to restore cardiac function. Men’s aortic valves tend to develop calcified deposits, she said, whereas women’s tend to thicken and become more fibrotic. Dr. Anseth wondered: Could valvular disease be treated medically rather than surgically? Should women with valve disease get different treatment than men?

Research showed that when cells taken from diseased valves were cultured in the lab, the genes expressed by the cells changed markedly, thus making it hard to understand the disease process in vivo. But when the cells were placed on newly developed hydrogel materials rather than the hard plastics typically used for cell culture, she said, they behaved as they did inside the body. That gave the researchers a good model for studying valvular disease—which, in turn, might help lead the way to drugs that could transform diseased heart cells into healthy, quiescent ones.

“We designed in our hydrogel systems ways that could recapitulate these [sex-linked] differences where the females would get lots of fibrosis and collagen and the males would get much more calcification,” she said. “And we can use this for screening different types of drugs.”

Organs on a Chip

Dr. Vunjak-Novakovic described recent work with human stem cells, including their use in tissue regeneration research and the creation of so-called organs on a chip, which emulate organ function outside the body. Recently, she’s been involved in research aiming to find develop a system for restoring the health of human donor lungs so that more can be implanted and fewer discarded. Studies with pig and human lungs have shown that it is possible to improve the performance of diseased lungs, she said.

Dr. Vunjak-Novakovic concluded her remarks by recounting a list of 10 life lessons she had learned from Dr. Langer. Among these were: “dream big and take big risks; work on something you’re passionate about and things take care of themselves; pursue science that can benefit people; and work hard and be strong and never give up.”

Dr. Laurencin said Dr. Langer had taught him not to confuse activity for accomplishment, and that “everything you do should be extremely meaningful.” He praised Dr. Langer for inspiring generations of researchers and helping them balance their research with family life. “Bob Langer rubs people the right way,” he said.

The Adventures of the Nutritional Kingdom Project

Meet the winning team of the Spring 2023 Junior Academy “Healthy Snacks” Challenge

Team members: Natalie O. (Team Lead) (United States), Lara K. (Jordan), Connie H. (United States), Mariem M. (Egypt), Ibrahim S. (United States), Amena S. (Jordan)

Mentor: Leticia Mendoza-Martínez (Mexico)

Childhood obesity has become a major public health issue around the world. In the United States alone, 1 in 5 children is overweight or obese– a particularly prevalent issue in the Hispanic community, where lack of access to affordable, healthy food along with other socioeconomic factors create major disadvantages. For the Junior Academy’s 2023 Spring Innovation Challenge on “Healthy Snacks”, six students formed an international team to develop “The Adventures of the Nutritional Kingdom”– a campaign to encourage healthy eating aimed specifically at Hispanic children in the southern U.S. Collaborating across continents and time zones, the students met online to create the winning project. “Cooperation enhances the goal because when a group from different countries of the world gathers to work on one goal, this undoubtedly confirms its importance,” Meriem says.

According to the CDC, 26.2% of Hispanic youth are obese. Childhood obesity can have broad consequences, from long-term health implications like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, to psychological impacts like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, (often related to bullying). Before devising their solution, the team conducted a survey of Hispanic families in both Spanish and English to help them identify a novel approach. Natalie assumed the role of Team Lead. “I was in charge of overseeing everyone’s collaboration efforts, notifying team members of their weekly tasks, and was the head website developer for the team. It was a surreal experience being a leader of such intelligent and motivated students. Our ideas were productive, and our final results are absolutely spectacular,” she says. “I learned valuable leadership and time management skills that will help me in future years to come.”

To reach the target audience, the team created an interactive, kid-friendly website with a vibrant jungle theme and gender-neutral animal characters, as well as a series of articles providing useful information on healthy nutrition and eating disorders. They also explored recipes, recreating a popular snack using alternative, healthier ingredients, and created an app with 13 different games that incorporated important nutritional information.

Meriem worked for hours on developing the games, using vivid colors attractive to young users. “I contributed by writing four articles on healthy eating habits and summarizing the problem and background of our solution,” explains Connie. “I also researched (former First Lady) Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move’ campaign, alternatives to unhealthy snacks and previous initiatives introducing healthy snacks.” Ibrahim conducted research and contributed extensive data on physical exercise and hydration. “I read articles and answered questions such as how people got their nutrients during the Great Depression, foods that can be cooked at low temperatures as well as foods that keep hydration in your body and more,” he says. Among her many contributions, Amena focused on how to reach the target audience for the app. “I provided my knowledge and skills in business and marketing the product to help us reach children, whether they were high or low-income children, as well as designing the product’s packaging,” she explains.

The team is excited to see their carefully considered, multi-faceted project create social impact, hoping to find ways to even further reduce mental stress and health problems among Hispanic children. In particular, they want to make their website available in Spanish as well as English to expand its reach. “This experience has fostered a deeper understanding of the power of teamwork and its capacity for optimizing collaborative efforts between human agents,” says Lara. “Future pursuits will undoubtedly involve enhanced focus on cooperation among individuals to promote more effective outcomes.”

The Junior Academy was supported by the Stevens Initiative, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, and is administered by the Aspen Institute.

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