Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA 

Cornell University is an Ivy-League private research university and a partner of the State University of New York. Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell is home to over 25,000 students and nearly 1,800 professors. Cornell's mission is to discover, preserve and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell community.  

Cornell's colleges and schools encompass more than 100 fields of study, many of which provide opportunities for learning and engagement that span the state, the nation, and the world.  

Student experiences:

Claudia Wyer

This summer, I participated in the Imperial-Cornell Global Fellows Programme, visiting the research lab of Professor Laura Harrington in the Department of Entomology. During my time at Cornell, I worked with Professor Laura Harrington and Professor Mariana Wolfner on their research project characterising genes encoding seminal fluid proteins in the Yellow Fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Seminal fluid proteins are transferred to female mosquitoes during mating, inducing striking behavioural and morphological changes. Characterisation of these seminal fluid proteins will help to improve mosquito control strategies that target reproduction. My PhD work focussed on the genetic basis of male mating behaviours in Aedes aegypti, and so the opportunity to work with experts in mosquito reproduction was invaluable.   
 

Eman Maali


Visiting Cornell was a wonderful experience and has further motivated me to continue a career in academic research. The wealth of knowledge and technical expertise in the Harrington Lab made for an exciting and inspiring working environment. My sincere thanks to all the Harrington Lab, particularly Alex and Sylvie, for so warmly welcoming me into their team and sharing their experience. I believe that this is just the beginning of a fruitful collaboration, and I am looking forward to returning! 

My placement was in the City Never Sleeps NYC. NYC has a buzz similar to London, full of life, and there is always something happening somewhere. It is a magical place that attracts people from all over the world. Of course, as much as there are similarities, there are differences, but between London and NYC, there is a magical spell: you leave these cities, but these cities will not leave you.

I was privileged to work with Prof. Thomas Ristenpart for my placement. Prof. Thomas Ristenpart’s research group is unique. First, most group members are female, which is uncommon in computer science research. I was impressed by the quality and standards of their work and their compassionate, supportive, and healthy relationship between the supervisor and fellow students. Second, I had the chance to experience how much my research could affect someone's life for the better for the first time in my Ph.D. A simple tool could save someone's life; your tool could save someone from further abuse or harassment.

 Additional notes to support planning for a research visit at Cornell:

  • Students conducting research at Cornell will be hosted as a visiting researcher, not a Graduate student. 
  • The host faculty member will work with Human Resources to facilitate your stay at Cornell.  It is recommended to allow 5 months to complete all pre-departure processes.
  • It is recommended to plan to visit Cornell between Jan and mid-August when off-campus housing is more likely to be available. On campus housing is not available.  

 Some helpful links for preparing to undertake a placement at Cornell: