News in Brief

Cory Abate-Shen, PhD, and Richard Axel, MD, have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Abate-Shen was selected for her “distinguished contributions to the cancer biology field, particularly for the development of mouse models to understand how basic cellular mechanisms are co-opted in cancer.” She is the Michael and Stella Chernow Professor of Urologic Sciences, director of research in the Department of Urology, an associate director of Columbia’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and leader of the cancer center’s prostate program. She also is an American Cancer Society Research Professor. Dr. Axel was selected for “distinguished contributions in the fields of olfaction and neuroscience.” He is a University Professor, co-director of Columbia’s Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In 2004, Axel won a Nobel Prize for discoveries of odorant receptors and the organization of the olfactory system.

The Columbia University Irving Medical Center has new operations and financial leadership. Donna Lynne, DrPH, has been named senior vice president and chief operating officer of the medical center. She also is CEO of ColumbiaDoctors, the faculty practice organization. Most recently lieutenant governor and chief operating officer for the state of Colorado, Dr. Lynne will oversee all aspects of CUIMC’s operations, including information technology, facilities, human resources, communications, and government and community affairs. Dr. Lynne, whose doctorate is from Mailman School of Public Health, has held leadership roles in Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and spent 20 years working in various positions in New York City government, including serving as senior vice president of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corp. 

William “Wil” McKoy has been named senior vice president and chief financial officer of CUIMC upon the retirement of Joanne Quan, who held the position for 12 years. As vice president of budget and planning since 2012, Mr. McKoy oversaw the medical center’s $2.5 billion operating budget and $150 million annual capital budget for the four medical center schools and central CUIMC operations.