The first Black woman in the United States to become a neurosurgeon and is known for her work with children suffering from brain tumors and spinal injuries, paving the way for future generations of medical professionals.
Dr. Alexa Canady
This organ pumps blood throughout the body.
The Heart
The discovery of insulin in 1921 helped treat this chronic disease.
Diabetes
Cornell’s College of Human Ecology offers this major, which blends biology, public health, and policy—perfect for future doctors.
Human Biology, Health, and Society (HBHS)
This Marvel superhero was exposed to gamma radiation, giving him incredible strength and a serious anger management problem.
The Hulk
A Jamaican-born nurse and businesswoman who became famous for her work during the Crimean war, where she provided medical care and comfort to soldiers. Despite facing racial prejudice, her determination and skill earned her recognition as a pioneering figure in nursing.
Mary Seacole
The largest organ in the human body
The skin
In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double helix structure of this molecule.
DNA
Cornell is home to this Ivy League medical school located in New York City.
Weill Cornell Medicine
In Spider-Man, Peter Parker’s powers came from the bite of this kind of genetically altered animal.
A radioactive spider
A Black surgeon and medical researcher, best known for his pioneering work in blood transfusion and blood banking. His development of techniques for storing and preserving blood significantly improved medical care and saved countless lives, leaving a lasting impact on modern medical practices.
Dr. Charles Drew
This system controls the body's response to stress and regulates hormones.
The endocrine system
This type of imaging, introduced in the 1970s, uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of the body.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Cornell’s motto, “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study,” was famously spoken by this founder.
Ezra Cornell
This 1993 blockbuster introduced audiences to the concept of cloning extinct animals using ancient DNA.
Jurassic Park
An influential black physician educator in gastroenterology and endoscopy. He was committed to improving medical care and underserved communities and promoting racial equity medicine, leaving a legacy of social impact and advocacy for minority health.
Dr. Leonidas Berry
The part of the brain responsible for reasoning and decision-making.
The frontal lobe
In 1951, these immortal cells, taken from a Black woman, were used for countless medical breakthroughs.
HeLa cells
This scenic spot on campus, known for its beautiful sunsets, is a favorite for Cornellians to relax when the weather is warm.
Libe Slope
The TV show Breaking Bad revolves around a high school chemistry teacher who becomes an expert at making this illegal substance.
methamphetamine
The first Black woman to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in the United States. She dedicated her career to providing medical care to women and children, particularly in underserved communities, and made significant contributions to public health during the post-Civil war era.
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler
These structures in the lungs facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
The alveoli
In 2012, this revolutionary gene-editing technology gave scientists the ability to modify DNA with precision.
CRISPR
This annual tradition pits architecture students against engineers in a parade of creativity and friendly rivalry.
Dragon Day
In The Martian, Mark Watney survives on Mars by growing this vegetable using his own waste as fertilizer.
Potatoes