Claire Liu Zhu CC’27 is being recognized for her exceptional leadership, academic excellence, and dedication to medical advocacy. On campus, as president of Columbia Synapse, Zhu has significantly enhanced the prominence of Columbia College by fostering inclusive spaces and resources for the brain injury community. She has spearheaded opportunities for student-led creative and educational initiatives, including a storybook project to educational outreach, and creates meaningful opportunities for students to engage with and contribute to the brain injury community. She also leads At Your Service and conducts research on Columbia’s medical campus on Alzheimer’s disease, seeking to advance the understanding and care of neurodegenerative disease. A double major in neuroscience and behavior and medical humanities, Zhu intends to integrate narrative medicine, the arts, and translational research to promote compassionate, holistic patient-centered care. She is honored to receive the Milch Prize for her contributions to the reputation and character of the Columbia community.