2026 Columbia University Pathway Programs Symposium
Office of the Provost welcomed more than 300 students, faculty, mentors, and community members from Columbia and across the country to Lerner Auditorium for the annual Columbia University Pathway Programs (CUPP) Symposium.
On July 29, 2026, the Office of the Provost welcomed more than 300 students, faculty, mentors, and community members from Columbia and across the country to Lerner Auditorium for the annual Columbia University Pathway Programs (CUPP) Symposium. CUPP is a celebration of student research, mentorship, and the power of experiential learning.
As one of the world's leading research universities, Columbia's mission is rooted in the belief that groundbreaking research and exceptional education go hand in hand.
Throughout the summer, students worked alongside faculty mentors on cutting-edge research while building the skills needed for future academic and professional success. Workshops on resume and CV development, academic networking through LinkedIn, and navigating educational pathways complemented their research experiences and helped prepare participants for the next stage of their academic journeys.
The Pathway Programs demonstrate how mentorship and hands-on research experiences inspire the next generation of scholars, scientists, clinicians, and innovators.The Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement provides professional development programming and networking opportunities to support the students and, through this Symposium, highlights their efforts as well as that of the faculty principal investigators and mentors whose dedication makes these opportunities possible. By investing in mentorship and immersive research experiences, the Columbia University Pathways Program is strengthening the pipeline of future researchers and leaders while advancing its enduring commitment to excellence in research, education, and service.
The afternoon featured professional development sessions focused on undergraduate and graduate admissions and an admissions fair highlighting undergraduate and graduate opportunities across Columbia University and Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
The centerpiece of the symposium was the research poster showcase, where 120 students presented original research conducted during the summer as participants in 10 Columbia pathway programs. Their projects reflected the breadth of inquiry taking place across the University, spanning disciplines from biomedical science and engineering to public health, social sciences, astronomy, and beyond.
- Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Summer Research Program
- YES (Youth Enjoy Science) in the HEIGHTS, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC)
- INTEGRITY (Integrating Transdisciplinary Research and Training to Eliminate Cancer Health Disparities) Post-Baccalaureate Program
- The Summer Program for Undergraduate Rising Stars (SPURS)
- Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
- Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics (IICD) Summer Research Program
- Columbia Alliance Program
- Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP), Mailman School of Public Health
- Columbia Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences in Mathematical Modeling (CSUREMM)
- Columbia Math Undergraduate Summer Research (CMUSR)
