As floodwaters surge along major rivers in the midwestern United States, a new study by Robert Criss, PhD, suggests federal agencies are underestimating historic 100-year flood levels on these rivers by as much as 5 feet. A miscalculation has implications for future flood risks, flood insurance and business development in an expanding floodplain.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded Siteman Cancer Center​ at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the School of Medicine an “exceptional” rating, based on a rigorous review of Siteman’s research programs. The rating is the highest possible by the NCI, the principal federal institute that funds cancer research.

Biomedical engineer Jianmin Cui, PhD, is taking an innovative approach to finding new drug candidates to treat a deadly heart condition known as Long QT syndrome. He received a four-year, $3.1 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the research.

Premature babies are at an increased risk for developing autism spectrum disorder. But a small study indicates that preemies who avoid eye contact are less likely to demonstrate symptoms of autism at age 2 than preemies who maintain eye contact during early interactions, according to new School of Medicine research.

Michael L. Stohler, PhD, has been named managing director of asset allocation at the Washington University Investment Management Company – the investment office for the university’s endowment. In this capacity, Stohler will play a key role in the overall management of the university’s endowment and other assets.

Rising senior Jacques de Villiers died July 3 of cancer. He was 21 years old. He was active in campus life, studying economics and biomedical physics, playing club hockey, joining the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and cooking for friends.