Katz School of Science and Health

06/04/2026

Study Shows How Large Language Models Undermine Traditional Security Controls

In a recently published paper in the World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, Tendai Nemure, a 2026 graduate of the Katz School of Science and Health’s M.S. in Cybersecurity, examines a fast-emerging problem in modern cybersecurity: how large language models (LLMs), the systems behind tools like AI chat assistants, are quietly reshaping how organizations think about security.

“On one side is Zero Trust Architecture, a widely adopted cybersecurity approach built on the idea of never trust, always verify," said Nemure. "On the other is the rapid spread of AI systems being embedded into everyday business operations.”

His research, which followed PRISMA systematic review standards and analyzed 68 sources from major databases and security organizations, identifies four major failure points. These include breakdowns in identity verification, vulnerabilities in memory and context, policy bypasses through autonomous agents and weakened data boundaries in retrieval systems.

Nemure’s paper makes a central contribution: a structured taxonomy that maps how these security gaps occur. The taxonomy connects all seven core principles of Zero Trust Architecture to specific risks introduced by LLMs and defines measurable criteria for how those gaps might be closed.

The findings highlight how AI systems are creating new cybersecurity challenges as organizations rapidly adopt AI tools across everyday operations.

“As organizations rush to deploy AI, innovation often moves faster than security,” said Nemure. “In this new landscape, trust is no longer just about who is acting but about how those actions are formed in the first place.”

Read the full story: https://vist.ly/56n38

06/03/2026

A moment for the mortar boards 🎓

Sharing some of our favorite caps from the class of 2026!
ㅤ

06/02/2026

Gabrielle Martinez Held a Patient's Heart and Discovered Her Future in Medicine

For Gabrielle Martinez, who graduated from the Katz School of Science and Health's M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies this May, the defining moment of her training came during an 11-hour open-heart surgery, when she scrubbed in, became part of the surgical team and held the heart of an 80-year-old patient undergoing a valve replacement and coronary artery bypass.

The surgery was expected to last five hours, but complications arose when the patient's aorta ruptured, extending it to nearly 11. When the patient's heart was intentionally stopped to allow surgeons to operate, Gabrielle was there — and the moment the heart came back to life is something she'll never forget.

"That moment stayed with me," she said. "It reminded me how incredible medicine really is."

Her connection to cardiothoracic surgery ran deep before she ever entered the OR. Her twin sister works as a cardiac telemetry nurse at Maimonides Medical Center, where Gabrielle completed two of her PA clinical rotations. During her didactic year, her own mother underwent cardiac surgery, making the specialty profoundly personal.

Gabrielle credits the Katz School for preparing her academically and helping her grow professionally. "I formed amazing friendships and professional connections. The professors were incredible mentors, and every rotation made me more confident."

As she prepares for her boards this summer, Martinez hopes to return to the same hospital where her transformation began.

Read the full story: https://vist.ly/56dgx

06/01/2026

Check out these exciting professional development and networking events in NYC and online from June 1 to June 7!

📍 Upcoming in NYC:

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 – through June 7
Check out the official Tech Week schedule for a full lineup of events across AI, startups, venture and more happening across NYC.
🔗 https://vist.ly/5687q

𝗔𝗜 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 – June 2
Get hands-on with AI tools to solve a real marketing challenge for United Way of New York City. Hosted by Suru Labs. Designed for B2B marketers of all AI experience levels, you'll leave with practical workflows you can apply immediately.
🔗 https://vist.ly/5687p

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 – June 3
Join allied health leaders for a free virtual panel on interprofessional advocacy across OT, PT, SLP and audiology. Hosted by National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA).
🔗 https://vist.ly/5687j

𝗡𝗬𝗖 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 & 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 – June 3
Connect with occupational therapists, physical therapists and other health professionals at this relaxed networking mixer in NYC. Tickets: $17.47.
🔗 https://vist.ly/5687h

𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗽 – June 3
Join Mel da Gama, Fortinet Training Institute, for a free webinar on the 2026 Cybersecurity Skills Gap report, covering AI's impact on risk and what organizations must do to build resilience.
🔗 https://vist.ly/5687m

𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 – June 4
Join 3,000+ founders, operators and investors at the largest event of NYC Tech Week. Expect a night of discovery, connection and AI-powered experiences at one of NYC's biggest venues.
🔗 https://vist.ly/5687s

𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗢𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽: 𝗠𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗗𝗼𝗰𝗸 – June 5
Learn computational drug discovery workflows through live hands-on sessions covering molecular docking, AutoDock Vina simulations and protein-ligand interaction analysis.
🔗 https://vist.ly/5687f

05/29/2026

Who are you wearing? 🎓

Our faculty and staff showed off their academic regalia at the Commencement.

05/29/2026

Class of 2026 Honored for Resilience, Innovative Research and Impact

On May 20, over 600 graduates marked the culmination of years of hard work, resilience and purpose-driven study during the Katz School of Science and Health's ninth annual commencement ceremony at the United Palace, celebrating a milestone that represented both academic achievement and personal transformation.

Graduates from across the school's science, technology and health programs — including the first graduates of the Accelerated B.S. in Nursing — reflected the Katz School's mission to create real-world impact through research, clinical care and innovation. Their stories stretched across continents, industries and life experiences, but they shared a common belief that their education could be used to improve lives.

Dean Paul Russo highlighted the extraordinary achievements of students and faculty:
➖ Health sciences students delivered 1,300 virtual speech therapy sessions, ran summer camps for children with disabilities, achieved a 96% nursing board pass rate, and are heading to Rwanda this August for their second medical mission.
➖ AI, analytics, and computer science students used AI to detect prostate cancer earlier, built systems to make clinical trials accessible in multiple languages worldwide, developed a crop yield decision support app — and built a voice-cloning system accepted at one of the top AI conferences in the world.
➖ Cybersecurity students built banking threat detection systems with AI and blockchain, presenting at national NSF summits and taking on threats that cost institutions billions every year.
➖ Digital marketing students took their expertise home to Zimbabwe, dismantling barriers to tourism through smarter digital strategy and designing AI tools built around local realities — including an edge computing architecture that lets kids in the village use LLMs like ChatGPT when the internet goes out.

The list goes on.

The ceremony also marked a historic milestone: Michael Katz, son of benefactors Drs. Mordecai and Monique Katz, spoke to the school's remarkable growth, doubling in size over five years to become the largest graduate school at Yeshiva University — growth recognized by an additional $50 million gift from the Katz family to transform the school into a comprehensive college.

"Each of you brings a unique sense of purpose to the Katz School and we are privileged to have you join the ranks of Yeshiva University alumni," said Dean Russo. "Class of 2026, your accomplishments are impressive."

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

See More Pics: https://bit.ly/4u3TRE3

Read the full story: https://vist.ly/55wbt

05/27/2026

Yeshiva University's B.S. in Nursing Earns CCNE Accreditation

Yeshiva University's B.S. in Nursing at the Katz School of Science and Health has been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the most rigorous standard in nursing education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

"CCNE accreditation is a national affirmation of what Yeshiva University set out to build: a nursing program of the highest academic and professional caliber," said Provost Selma Botman. "It validates the strength of our faculty, the rigor of our curriculum, and the promise we make to every student who enrolls."

The milestone comes alongside a 96% National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) pass rate, reflecting the strength of the Katz School’s nursing curriculum, faculty and clinical training partnerships across New York City.

“Strong clinical partnerships are what turn classroom learning into real nursing practice. We are profoundly grateful to the hospitals and health systems across New York that welcome our students every semester — they are co-educators in everything we do,” said Dr. Peggy Tallier, Sr. Associate Dean and Dr. Patricia Reineike, Director of Clinical Education.

The Katz School's Accelerated B.S. in Nursing is a 16-month program for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, while the Transfer B.S. in Nursing is designed for students entering with 62+ undergraduate credits. Both programs are accepting applications for the fall 2026 cohort. Learn more at yu.edu/nursing.

Read the full story: https://vist.ly/55pgf

05/27/2026

Marissa Barrera on memory, word-finding and multiple sclerosis (MS) for MS Living Well

In a podcast episode hosted by Dr. Barry Singer, MD, Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care, Dr. Barrera, assistant dean of health sciences and director of the 's master's in medical speech-language pathology, touched on working memory, anomia, executive function, and how patients can advocate for the specialized care they need.

"I think it's important for us to remember that working memory is very much like your own mental sticky pad. When we write a note, we have a sticky pad, and we keep them around to serve as external reminders. That's completely normal. But with MS, we see that the stickiness of that sticky note seems to be less effective of holding on," said Dr. Barrera.

"Some of the most effective things you can do to hold on to information is to be active instead of passive. Repeating it out loud, saying it again—that actually activates two different types of pathways in the brain, both motor and receptive language. This helps strengthen retention. Anything you can do to increase salience is going to improve encoding and make that stickiness a lot stickier for future use."

Dr. Barrera was joined in the conversation by James F. Sumowski, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and clinical neuropsychologist at the Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis.

Listen to the full episode here: https://vist.ly/55ner

05/26/2026

In Symposium, Research Highlights Student Innovation in AI, Healthcare and Technology

The Katz School's 2026 Symposium on Science, Technology and Health brought together the Yeshiva University community to celebrate graduate student research in AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, biotechnology, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, digital marketing, mathematics and computer science.

Standout projects included AI systems that protect patient privacy while improving veterinary diagnostics, radar-based health monitoring for elder care, offline AI learning platforms expanding education access in more than 100 languages, emotional resonance modeling for small business marketing, and research advancing stroke detection, pediatric feeding therapy and voice care.

In his address, YU President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman reminded students that innovation at the Katz School of Science and Health is grounded in human dignity — and that putting people at the center of every breakthrough is what makes the work matter. "The only reason we're here," he said, "is because we believe in each of you."

Congratulations to all of the research teams and a special shout-out to our award winners:
➖Outstanding Original Research in Science and Tech: Chengyi Liu & Lei Zhang (M.S. in Artificial Intelligence)
➖Outstanding Original Research in Health Sciences: Vanessa Murad (Occupational Therapy Doctorate)
➖Outstanding Impact in Health Sciences: Jennifer Schneider (M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology)
➖Outstanding Impact in Science and Tech: Emmanuel Kasigazi (M.S. in Data Analytics and Visualization)
➖People's Choice Award: Arunima Chandra & Mrinal Chaman (M.S. in Digital Marketing and Media)

Read the full story: https://vist.ly/55j8e

05/22/2026