Neuroscientists at the School of Medicine have identified the brain cells involved in alcohol-related blackouts and the molecular mechanism that appears to underlie them. Alcohol interferes with key receptors in the brain, which in turn manufacture steroids that affect the connections between neurons.

Steven Mumm, PhD (left), research associate professor of medicine, works with local high school student Adela Cajic, a participant in the Students and Teachers as Research Scientists (STARS) program. STARS pairs academically talented high schoolers with scientists at five research institutions, including those on the Danforth and Medical campuses.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has given Washington University its 2011 award for best overall performance in fundraising. CASE is one of the world’s largest and most respected nonprofit associations for professionals working in advancement and communications fields for educational institutions.

WUSTL welcomes undergraduates from Fudan University in Shanghai, China, next week for the university’s inaugural five-week Fudan at Washington University Summer Program (July 17-Aug. 19). Twenty-eight Fudan students are enrolled in two regularly scheduled courses in the College of Arts & Sciences’ Summer School, where they will study alongside their WUSTL counterparts.

Some 75 K-12 educators from across St. Louis attended a one-day conference June 17 in WUSTL’s Whitaker Hall to explore using LEGOs to engage their students in learning science, technology, engineering and math. The teachers built and programmed robots using ROBOLAB software with LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT.

The School of Law recently launched a formal alliance with the University of Queensland (UQ), one of Australia’s premier learning and research institutions. Beginning this fall, the law school and UQ’s TC Beirne School of Law will offer a four-year combined degree program, allowing U.S. students to study at both WUSTL and UQ’s law school.

Wednesday, July 13, 3:30 p.m.

MoBIO Benchmarking Program: Business Impact of Science and Biotechnology

Panel discussion featuring local leaders in the business of science and economic development discussing strategies for growing Missouri’s biotechnology industries. Sponsored by the School of Engineering & Applied Science, Clayco and the Missouri Biotechnology Association. Free and open to the public. Brauer Hall, Rm. 12. (314) 935-6350.

Exit Through the Gift Shop at Kemper Monday, July 18

The Oscar-nominated documentary about contemporary street artists will be shown free at 8:30 p.m. Monday, July 18, in the east parking lot of the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum.

Ice Cream at Olin Library

Olin Library will host a “Sundaes (and Other Treats) in the Library” event at 12:10 p.m. today, July 13, and Thursday, Aug. 4, to help WUSTL faculty and staff members rediscover the services and resources available at University Libraries.

Robert E. Hegel, PhD

Hegel, Chinese literature professor in Arts & Sciences, is a storyteller, mentor and respected scholar. FULL STORY

Football players earn academic honor

Nine student-athletes were recently named to the 2011 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Hampshire Honor Society. The honor society comprises 686 college football players — who each maintained a 3.2 GPA or better — from all divisions of play.