In 2025, the Department of Computational and Systems Biology tackled complex problems at the intersection of biology and technology. We came together in a mission of education, discovery and service.
As we reflect on the impact of the last year, we’ve compiled our favorite stories from 2025.
Sharing ideas at the annual department retreat
The Department of Computational and Systems Biology hosted its annual retreat at the Carnegie Science Center in May. This event brought together 91 attendees from all levels of the department to celebrate collaboration and scientific discovery.
“The goal of the retreat was to give people a chance to step out of their routines, hear what their colleagues are working on and reconnect. In a department like ours, it means a lot to slow down, learn something new and spend real time together,” said Mandy Shaheen, assistant to the chair and organizer of the event.
Read more about the department retreat.
Giving back to the community at Cribs for Kids
CSB members rolled up our sleeves at Cribs for Kids, where we assembled 1,000 safe-sleep survival kits for infants. These kits will be distributed to families in need nationally and internationally.
“Volunteering at Cribs for Kids was not only a great team-building experience but also a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we work together,” said Amanda Axelson, academic programs manager.
Read more about our volunteering day.
Showcasing research at Pittsburgh Biological Physics Day
The second annual Pittsburgh Biological Physics Day was held in September at the Mellon Institute. This event showcased vibrant research in the Pittsburgh area that merged principles of physics and biology.
“As an emerging multidisciplinary field, biological physics addresses fundamental questions about living systems,” said Fangwei Si, assistant professor of physics at Carnegie Mellon and co-organizer of the event. “The workshop serves as a great catalyst for the interactions within our Pittsburgh biophysics community and as a promoter for its future growth.”
Read more about Pittsburgh Biological Physics Day.
Uncovering how timing of cellular signals shape life-or-death decisions
In the complex world inside our bodies, timing can be everything. A study published in Nature Communications from Steven Smeal and Robin E.C. Lee revealed the timing of molecular signals can change how cells respond to their environment, with potential implications for cancer treatment and drug discovery.
“There’s a whole other dimension that’s important to aspects of drug design,” said Lee. “It’s not just how much, but when.”
Read more about how the Lee lab used a custom, robot-controlled microfluidic system to test this idea.
Looking ahead to 2026
These stories represent a small piece of what faculty, staff and students accomplished in 2025. Explore more impactful moments.
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