Author: Kelly Wiese Niemeyer

With so many university meetings and classes continuing to be held via Zoom, the Office of Public Affairs created a new set of WashU-themed virtual backgrounds with fall and winter themes for the community to use.

The Office of Sustainability has updated its virtual tour of campus sustainability features to include the various buildings and elements of the recently completed east end project. 

Simona Sarafinovska, a Washington University Medical Scientist Training Program student, has been named the inaugural recipient of The brAvery Foundation Award. The foundation, dedicated to the prevention of youth suicide, created the award to recognize an exceptional medical student or resident who has demonstrated a commitment to a career in child and adolescent psychiatry. 

Question: Charles M. Rice won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine this month for work he conducted while on the School of Medicine faculty. What was the medical advancement that warranted the Nobel?

The Office of Sustainability is holding electronics recycling drives and lightbulb swaps. They will take place Oct. 29 on the Medical Campus and Nov. 5 on the Danforth Campus. 

Daniel Kerschensteiner, MD, professor of ophthalmology at the School of Medicine, has received the Cogan Award from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. The annual award recognizes a researcher age 45 or younger who has made important research contributions in ophthalmology and visual science.

Carlos Ponce, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neuroscience at the School of Medicine, is one of 20 people to receive a 2020 Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering. Packard fellows are among the nation’s top early-career scientists. Ponce studies how visual recognition works in the brain.

Thomas M. Maddox, MD, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been selected to serve as a trustee of the American College of Cardiology, an international professional society for cardiovascular care providers. He will serve a three-year term on the board of trustees beginning in April.

The Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award recognizes members of the university community who exemplify service and engagement with the St. Louis region. Honorees include alumni, employees, retirees, students and volunteers. The nomination deadline is Nov. 1.

Joni Westerhouse, associate vice chancellor and associate dean in the Office of Medical Public Affairs at Washington University School of Medicine, has received the 2020 Distinguished Service Award from the Group on Institutional Advancement of the Association of American Medical Colleges.