Harvard math professor Melanie Matchett Wood awarded PECASE
Harvard math professor Melanie Matchett Wood has been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for her groundbreaking research in arithmetic statistics, probability, and number theory. The award, established in 1996, recognizes early-career scientists with exceptional potential for leadership in advancing scientific knowledge. The NSF praised her work for its contributions to economic growth, quality of life, and national security. Matchett Wood expressed gratitude for the honor, emphasizing the critical role of mathematics and science in national progress.
Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump’s Funding Freeze
A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to freeze federal grants and loans just before it took effect, delaying the pause on already approved funds until a hearing next Monday. The freeze, outlined in an OMB memo, aimed to review agency programs, particularly targeting diversity initiatives. The block follows a lawsuit from nonprofits challenging the freeze’s legality. State attorneys, led by New York AG Letitia James, threatened legal action, calling it unconstitutional. Harvard affiliates and legal experts criticized the move, arguing it undermines congressional budgetary authority.
Harvard Schools Tell Researchers To Comply With Stop-Work Orders, Continue Other Federally Funded Projects
Harvard research administrators instructed faculty to comply with federal stop-work orders while continuing unaffected projects amid uncertainty over Trump’s funding freeze. The freeze, targeting USAID-funded projects and DEI initiatives, has sparked concerns among faculty about research disruptions. Some fear losing critical funding, with a Harvard Medical School professor highlighting the potential cancellation of a student’s grant. Other faculty warn of broader setbacks for U.S. research competitiveness. Harvard officials are monitoring the evolving situation and coordinating with university offices to provide further guidance.
Garber Says Some Harvard Research May Halt After Trump Orders Freeze on Federal Grants
Harvard President Alan Garber warned that federally funded research at the university could be halted due to Trump’s funding freeze, though a judge temporarily blocked the order until Feb. 3. The freeze aims to reassess agency programs, particularly DEI initiatives, drawing both Republican support and Democratic opposition. Harvard received $686 million in federal funding in 2024, much of it for research and financial aid. While other universities issued similar warnings, 22 state attorneys general plan to challenge the freeze, arguing it is unconstitutional and disrupts critical funding for nonprofits and education.
3.8-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Up Harvard, Greater Boston
A 3.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of York, Maine, on Monday morning, with tremors felt as far as Harvard and Greater Boston. Though no injuries were reported, students noticed the shaking, sparking discussion on social media. Experts noted that such quakes occur roughly every five years in New England, with no reliable way to predict the next one. While some students brushed off the event, others, inspired by the moment, shared poems commemorating the experience through an Adams House poetry contest.
Columns： Ask Me How To Say My Name
Harvard Crimson writer Dev S. Ahuja emphasizes the importance of correctly pronouncing names as a sign of respect and recognition. Drawing from personal experience, he recalls how his mother ensured his teachers pronounced "Dev" (phonetically "They’ve") correctly, reinforcing the cultural and personal significance of names. Ahuja encourages Harvard students to pause, ask, and learn names properly, suggesting tools like Canvas name pronunciation tabs. He highlights that small efforts—like gentle corrections and practicing pronunciations—foster inclusivity and a stronger sense of community on campus.
Flyby： Winter Break, On Your Resume
This humorous piece from The Harvard Crimson offers playful resume-style exaggerations for mundane winter break activities. If you shopped, you were a "retail strategist"; if you binged TV, you "analyzed media trends"; if you stayed in bed, you completed a "mindfulness retreat." The article pokes fun at the pressure to sound impressive while emphasizing that breaks are for rest and enjoyment. Ultimately, it reassures students that even doing "nothing" is valid and worth celebrating.
The brain’s gatekeepers - HMS research IDs special class of cells that safeguard immunity and memory, and may one day treat neurodegenerative disease
Harvard researchers have identified a unique population of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the brain’s protective layers that help regulate immune activity and support neuron renewal. Published in Science Immunology, the study shows that these Tregs act as gatekeepers, preventing harmful inflammation and promoting brain health. Depleting them in mice led to widespread inflammation, hippocampal damage, and impaired memory. The findings could pave the way for new treatments targeting neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s by harnessing Tregs to control brain inflammation and support neuronal regeneration.
Gambling problems are mushrooming. Panel says we need to act now
With the rise of legalized sports betting and online gambling, experts warn of a growing public health crisis. A Harvard panel highlighted how seamless tech, financial access, and targeted marketing—especially toward young people—are fueling gambling addiction. Researchers advocate reclassifying gambling as a mental health disorder, increasing federal regulation, and implementing default "opt-out" controls on gambling apps. The lack of advocacy and public health data hinders intervention. Experts stress the need for systemic change rather than placing full responsibility on individuals struggling with addiction.
Harvard Business School prof: Avoid this common mistake when trying to make new friends as an adult
A 2023 Pew Research survey revealed that 29% of Americans have only two close friends, while 58% report feeling lonely. Harvard Business School professor Alison Wood Brooks suggests the key to overcoming this loneliness is to focus on what others want from a friendship, rather than fixating on your own needs. She emphasizes that to make new friends, it’s essential to understand their interests and provide support, whether through shared activities or simply being a sounding board. This approach fosters mutual support, helping create deeper, more rewarding connections.
Harvard study: This popular food ingredient could boost your brain health—how a doctor eats it every day
A 2024 Harvard study found that consuming at least 7 grams of olive oil daily can reduce the risk of dementia-related death by 28%. Olive oil’s benefits stem from its monounsaturated fats and polyphenols, which promote brain blood flow, combat oxidative stress, and reduce inflammation. These properties, along with its support for appetite regulation, gut health, and energy, make olive oil a powerful brain-boosting food. Experts recommend incorporating it in daily meals, preferably raw, or using it for moderate-heat cooking to retain its cognitive benefits.
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