Author: Rosalind Early

For Ira Kodner, MD, emeritus professor of surgery, Frankenstein has many ethical lessons for young scientists, physicians and society at large.

Kristin Bauer Van Straten, BFA ’88, is best known for playing the fashionable, no-nonsense vampire Pam De Beaufort on HBO’s True Blood. But when she was younger, she was interested in another art, painting, which led her to Washington University.

As a linguist and professor at Swarthmore, one might wonder why Jamie Thomas, AB ’06, is interested in zombies. She’s found that representations of the undead can help us better understand the dehumanization and fear that accompany racism, sexism and other languages of hate.

Michael Wysession, a professor of earth and planetary sciences, explores the intersection of earth science and the classic novel Frankenstein.

Mark Rank has been studying economic insecurity in America for more than two decades. His findings? You may be more at risk than you think. Why is economic insecurity such a problem in the U.S. and what can we do about it?

Business Insider recently reported that St. Louis is the best city for Millennials due to its low cost of living and lifestyle. Zoë Scharf, BFA ’11, co-founder of the start up Greetabl, wants to add one more reason to the list: the city’s great start-up scene.

Communicating well across different cultures, backgrounds and experiences is an important skill. Here, experts from across campus give tips on how to navigate these sometimes fraught conversations.

Our latest selection of faculty and alumni books covers a range of topics including West Coast rap, logic puzzles and surviving Auschwitz. Want to learn something new and fascinating? Read on.

Mike Keymer, BS ’98, founded Topspin Labs, which works at the cutting edge of data and technology. Keymer, through Topspin, partners with ­organizations to find other applications for their technology and create a startup around that new use.

Michael King, AB ’87, has worked in cities around the globe to improve street design. He’s a “traffic calmer,” making streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.