New momentum for Harvard ideas in language, health, astronomy
Investigating how languages emerge and evolve. Using climate-change data to predict dust storms and bacterial meningitis outbreaks in Northern Africa. Understanding whether age-related diseases may stem from a common driver. Determining whether the presence of oxygen can be used to predict life on distant exoplanets. Harvard scientists are known for pushing boundaries, but the projects funded through the 2017 Star Family Challenge for Promising Scientific Research are poised to take that reputation to new heights. Created through a gift from James A. Star ’83, the annual challenge funds high-risk, high-reward research that might not receive funding through other programs. “I want to salute the winners of the 2017 Star Family Challenge,” Star said. “This is a wonderful set of projects, and I look forward to hearing about them. I also want to thank Professor Randy Buckner and his committee for taking over from [former chairman] Doug Melton and moving the challenge forward.” As part...