Researcher at the 3DS Center of Excellence and world-class congenital cardiac surgeon Ignacio Lugones is advancing a groundbreaking approach to pediatric heart surgery. Lugones’ work on Aortic Valve Trileaflet Autologous Reconstruction (AVaTAR) features the first in-silico modeling of a semilunar valve designed to grow with pediatric patients. This innovation has the potential to transform treatment for children living with life-threatening heart disease.
Olympian Joins Nobel Prize Winners on National Society List
Maria Michta-Coffey ’08, an Olympic race walker and biomedical scientist, was added to the Society for Science’s “Notable Alumni” list, which includes 15 Nobel Prize winners, 2 Fields Medal recipients, 28 MacArthur Fellows, and 72 Rhodes Scholars. Michta-Coffey, a member of the LIU Athletics Hall of Fame, is a physician assistant as well as a two-time Olympian with American records in the 5km, 10km, 15km, and 20km distances of race walking.
Professor to Share Novel Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases
Physiology and Immunology Professor Xiaolei Tang will share his novel therapeutic technology to treat multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases at the American Association of Immunologists Annual Meeting in Boston. The innovative therapy has the potential to circumvent side effects due to broad immune suppression associated with currently available therapies, as well as possibly cure and stop the diseases.
Pre-Law Society Visits Top New York Law Firm
Honors College students in the Pre-Law Society recently visited the offices of Barton LLP, a nationally recognized law firm in New York City. During the visit, students met with Managing Partner Roger E. Barton and several of the firm’s attorneys, who shared their career journeys, discussed the evolving legal landscape, and offered insights to help students better understand the diverse opportunities within the legal profession.
Hall of Fame Class Celebrated at the Paramount Theatre
LIU athletics celebrated the 2026 Hall of Fame at the Paramount Theatre, honoring three championship teams — 2022 baseball, 2013 women’s lacrosse, and 2010 softball. Individual inductees included ESPN and MSG sportscaster Alan Hahn ’93, Olympic track and field gold medalist Brendon Rodney ’16, football coach Bryan Collins, public address announcer Richard Kahn ’74, women’s basketball coach Tony Bozzella, and NCAA women’s fencing champion Laura Fekete ’24.
LIU Launches $3M Fundraising Campaign to Elevate Hockey Programs
LIU launched a $3 million fundraising campaign to enhance Northwell Health Ice Center, the 2,500-seat home of LIU men’s and women’s ice hockey. Planned upgrades include new seating, a jumbotron, and lighting and sound improvements. In 2024, the facility added state-of-the-art locker rooms and team lounges, coaches’ offices, a game-day fan shop, and Shark Nation branding throughout the arena.
Men’s Basketball Advances to NEC Semifinals, Earns Top NEC Honors
Men’s basketball advanced to the NEC tournament semifinals after knocking off Chicago State to earn its 22nd win of the season. Greg Gordon was named NEC Defensive Player of the Year, while Malachi Davis and Jamal Fuller earned First Team All-Conference honors. Head Coach Rod Strickland was named the Jim Phelan NEC Coach of the Year. LIU tips-off against Wagner in tomorrow’s conference semifinal at 2:00 PM at the Brooklyn Athletics Center.
Women’s Basketball’s Historic Season Continues in NEC Championship
Women’s basketball heads into the NEC Basketball Championship after capping a 19-win regular season — the most during the Sharks era. LIU hosts Chicago State in the NEC quarterfinals on Monday at 7:00 PM, in the Brooklyn Athletics Center. Kadidia Toure finished the regular season with a conference-high 18.8 points per game.
Men’s Swimming Captures Nine Titles at NEC Championship
Men’s swimming captured nine individual event titles at the NEC Championships and set four conference records, including a sweep of the 200-yard freestyle. Sophomore Finn Drysdale was named Men’s Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet for the second consecutive year, and freshman Mario Rodriguez Poulsen earned Men’s Rookie of the Meet honors.
77th George Polk Awards in Journalism Announced
The 2025 George Polk Awards proudly honor exceptional reporting from leading outlets, including The New York Times, ProPublica, The Atlantic, and CBS 60 Minutes. Selected from 492 entries, this year’s winners showcase high-impact journalism spanning immigration, public health, executive power, war reporting, and more. Honorees will be celebrated Friday, April 10 at a distinguished luncheon ceremony at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, bringing together the nation’s top journalists for one of the field’s most prestigious events. Learn more ›