Author: Kelly Wiese Niemeyer

The drug buprenorphine is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder, but many who misuse opioids also take benzodiazepines to treat anxiety and similar conditions. School of Medicine researchers found that buprenorphine lowered the overdose risk, even in people who also took benzodiazepines such as Valium or Xanax.

The university Society of Professors Emeriti will hold its regular monthly meeting via Zoom at 12:30 p.m. Monday, March. 8. Susan Frehlich Appleton, at the School of Law, will speak on  “Families Under Construction: Parentage, Adoption and Assisted Reproduction.”

Washington University is moving forward with in-person Commencement ceremonies on the Danforth Campus in May for members of the classes of 2020 and 2021 and a limited number of guests.

Alzheimer’s researchers David M. Holtzman, MD, and Celeste Karch, PhD, at the School of Medicine, have been recognized by the Rainwater Charitable Foundation for scientific achievements that could lead to new, effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases associated with the accumulation of tau protein in the brain. Alzheimer’s is the best known such disease.

The Green Cup is an annual competition to reduce energy use, and typically is focused on Washington University’s residential colleges. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition is virtual and is open to faculty, staff and students. It will run March 1-31.

The U.S. and university flags over Brookings Hall are lowered to half-staff until sunset Friday, Feb. 26, in memory of the more than 500,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Pathologist Richard J. Cote, MD, the Edward Mallinckrodt Professor at the School of Medicine, has been elected a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors.

Washington University will test its emergency communication system at 10 a.m. March 4. The test will take place unless there is the potential for severe weather that day or some other emergency is occurring at that time.

Applications are now being accepted for the Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Leukemia Career Enhancement Program and the Developmental Research Program, under principal investigator Daniel Link, MD, at the School of Medicine. Those interested should apply by April 30.

Mark Glenn, chief of the Washington University in St. Louis Police Department, is among 17 finalists for the Campus Safety Director of the Year award. The award, given by Campus Safety Magazine, recognizes campus protection professionals from around the nation who have benefited their communities.