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$400 million latest gift to university from philanthropists P. Roy and Diana Vagelos raises their giving to over $900 million
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$400 million latest gift to university from philanthropists P. Roy and Diana Vagelos raises their giving to over $900 million

P. Roy and Diana Vagelos have donated $400 million to Columbia University’s medical school to advance biomedical research and education.

This unprecedented gift is the largest in the school’s history and cements their legacy as Columbia’s most generous benefactors.

Their total contributions now reach $900 million.

The donation will significantly enhance Columbia’s biomedical research capabilities through:

Construction of the Vagelos Innovation Laboratories, an eight-story, fully electrified biomedical research facility at 167th Street and Audubon Avenue in Washington Heights.

Addition of over 55,000 square feet of laboratory space, prioritizing sustainability and cutting-edge research.

Support for groundbreaking work in cell engineering and gene therapy, with the potential to revolutionize treatments for blood disorders, cancers, metabolic diseases, and cardiovascular conditions.

Promotion of interdisciplinary collaborations that leverage new technologies to address complex medical challenges.

Establishment of a dynamic organizational model integrating basic science, clinical research, and medical education.

Aiming to create the world’s leading ecosystem for biomedical innovation.

The Vageloses’ prior gifts include a $250 million donation in 2017, making Columbia the first medical school in the U.S. to offer debt-free education. This initiative sparked a nationwide movement to improve the affordability of medical education.

Announced during a pivotal moment for Columbia, following the resignation of its president, the gift underscores the Vageloses’ unwavering commitment to the university. Interim Columbia President Katrina Armstrong and Interim Medical School Dean James McKiernan praised the donation, calling it “awe-inspiring” and highlighting the discoveries it will enable.

The Vagelos Institute for Basic Biomedical Science, established in 2022, will play a central role in uniting Columbia’s research efforts, bridging fundamental biology and clinical practice, and fostering groundbreaking discoveries that promise to improve human health for generations.


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