CUAFA congratulates Anil K. Rustgi, Herbert and Florence Irving Director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, on receiving the American Pancreatic Association’s Vay Liang & Frisca Go Award for Lifetime Achievement and the Luminary Award in GI Cancers, recognizing his lasting impact on pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancer research and patient care.

CUAFA congratulates Mae Ngai, Lung Family Professor of Asian American Studies and Professor of History at Columbia University, on her election as an Honorary Fellow of American Society for Legal History.

Dr. Chunhua Weng has received the 2025 Donald A.B. Lindberg Award for Innovation in Informatics from AMIA for her pioneering contributions to clinical research informatics and impactful informatics methods that advance clinical trial science and evidence generation.

Congratulations to EC member Dr. Qin Gao on her appointment as Acting Director of Columbia’s Asian American Initiative. A distinguished scholar of social policy and inequality, Dr. Gao brings her deep commitment to evidence-based research and community engagement to this university-wide role advancing Asian American scholarship, visibility, and belonging.

Even the pouring rain couldn’t dampen the spirit of the Harvest of Harmony celebration at CUIMC. Hosted by the Asian & Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (API ERG) and the Columbia University Asian Faculty Association (CUAFA), colleagues gathered to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and Diwali, enjoying a joyful event that brought together culture, connection, and community.

CUAFA congratulates President Anil K. Lalwani, M.D., on receiving the 2026 Innovator Award in Clinical Science from the Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO), honoring his pioneering contributions to hearing research and leadership in academic medicine.

CUAFA congratulates our EC member, Dr. Qin Gao, for being named the Maurice V. Russell Professor of Social Policy and Social Work Practice. This appointment stands as a testament to her distinguished scholarship and lasting contributions to the field of social policy.

CUAFA held our annual picnic on September 20th at Elliton in the Park, bringing together over 90 faculty, family, and friends. We welcomed new colleagues, reconnected with old friends, and shared ideas for strengthening our community—including a new “Speed Research Sharing” series. Stay tuned for ways to get involved!

Dr. David Ho, world-renowned AIDS researcher, was honored with the 2025 Asian American Pioneer Medal at the AASF Symposium.

Congratulations to EC member Dr. Anette Wu, whose International Collaboration and Exchange Program (ICEP) has been honored with the prestigious 2025 ASPIRE Award in International Collaboration.

With CUAFA growing into a community of hundreds, it can be hard to get to know everyone—especially those working behind the scenes. In this post, we asked a few Executive Committee members some fun, informal questions to help you get to know them a little better. It’s a step toward making our community more connected.

Meet Dr. Ying Wei, CUAFA President-Elect 2024-2026. What inspires her to step into leadership? How does she lead? We sat down with Ying to learn more about her journey. She shares what drew her to this role, the values she brings to leadership, her research passions—and a few fun personal tidbits along the way.

Dr. David Ho received the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 CUAFA Gala Dinner, honoring his groundbreaking contributions to science and medicine. His career stands as a powerful testament to innovation, leadership, and lasting impact.

At the 2025 CUAFA Gala Dinner, Dr. Kelley Yan was honored with the Young Investigator Award for her pioneering research and outstanding contributions to biomedical science. Her work exemplifies the promise and impact of early-career faculty at Columbia.

CUAFA celebrated its 4th Annual Gala Dinner on March 1st, 2025, bringing together over 100 members, friends, and supporters for an evening of community, recognition, and reflection. With inspiring remarks, award presentations, and a special performance by Uptown Vocal, the night honored the leadership and achievements of Asian faculty and reaffirmed CUAFA’s mission to uplift and advocate for its vibrant academic community.

Congratulations to Professor Daichi Shimbo, on his new role as Senior VP and Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, effective February 1! A leader in cardiovascular research and faculty development, he brings a wealth of expertise to this position.

Congratulations to Professor Venkat Venkatasubramanian on his election to the National Academy of Engineering! His pioneering work in artificial intelligence and complex systems has significantly advanced the field of chemical engineering.