News

A transformative gift from Joseph C. Tsai ’86, ’90 J.D., and his wife, Clara Wu Tsai, has launched the Wu Tsai Institute at Yale University, with a mission to understand human cognition and explore human potential by sparking interdisciplinary inquiry.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is all around us. It powers virtual assistants, smartwatches, map apps, and more. Advances in AI also benefit a range of industries from communications, to agriculture, to healthcare. But AI has an efficiency problem.

When the SARS-CoV-2 virus caused a global pandemic, PhD candidate Alessandro Zulli began to apply his research in chemical engineering to tracking outbreaks of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. “I had already been focused on viral populations,” Alessandro says.

Each fall, the Yale Alumni Fund’s annual participation challenge is an opportunity for alumni to make a difference for today’s undergraduates. The 2020 participation challenge, Yale Leads for Students, runs from October 19 through October 23.

A bequest intention from Regina Serniak Stewart will establish a permanent scholarship at the School of Art in memory of her husband, Jack Stewart ’51 BFA.

Marla Grossman ’90 was confirmed as the new chair of the Yale Alumni Fund Board of Directors. Grossman, the former vice chair, is a longtime board member and executive committee member. As board chair, she will serve a two-year term ending June 30, 2022.

The Ludwig Family Foundation has made a substantial gift to support Yale’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their gift will fund the laboratories of at least six scientists at the Yale School of Medicine working on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

A generous $2 million gift from Jonathan Rothberg ’91 Ph.D. and his wife Bonnie E. Gould Rothberg, ’94 M.D., ’05 MPH, ’09 Ph.D., FACP will aid Yale’s clinical and research response to the coronavirus emergency.

In the face of the COVID-19 global health crisis, Yale is committed to supporting our students, researchers, and neighbors in New Haven. The university has created several funds to help meet the most pressing needs of our community and our nation during this challenging time. Alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends can help by contributing to these efforts. Gifts of all sizes are welcome, and your generosity will be put to use immediately.