The Record

How early-life stress leaves a ‘scar’ inside brain cells

WashU Medicine researchers found in mice that trauma alters how brain cells package DNA, leaving the brain’s genetic stress response vulnerable to being turned on easily and reducing tolerance to stress later in life.

WashU Expert: When fear becomes a public health risk

Researchers at WashU Bursky Public Health explain how trust, misinformation and disrupted care can shape health outcomes during infectious disease outbreaks worldwide.

Public benefits ‘cliffs’ can trap low-wage workers, study finds

New research from the WashU Brown School argues that policymakers should enact gradual cutoffs for public benefits such as food assistance or healthcare. The change could meet the needs of both families and employers.

WashU launches search for chief financial officer

WashU has begun the search for its next executive vice chancellor and chief financial officer. David J. Gray, the current executive vice chancellor for finance, will complete his service in 2027.

Notables

Jin Huang, at the Brown School, has been appointed to serve on the advisory board of the Katherine A. Kendall Institute for International Social Work within the Council on Social Work Education.

Research Wire

Research in Feng Jiao’s lab at McKelvey Engineering has shown that modifying the power strategy with a catalyst can prevent damage without loss in performance while also reducing costs in carbon dioxide conversion.

Research Wire

Aaron Y. Lee, MD, at WashU Medicine, has received a $150,000 grant from Research to Prevent Blindness to support eye research.

Kennedy Reed, graduate student at WashU Medicine, 26

Kennedy Reed, a PhD candidate at WashU Medicine, died Aug. 4 following a car accident. She was 26. A celebration of life will be held Thursday, Aug. 13.