Campus & Community

Gregory Zipfel, MD, head of the Taylor Family Department of Neurosurgery at WashU Medicine, has been elected president of the Society of Neurological Surgeons. His election continues a tradition of WashU Medicine leadership of the society dating back to 1920.

Aaron F. Bobick, dean of the McKelvey School of Engineering and the James M. McKelvey Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, will conclude his deanship on June 30, after successfully serving the university for 12 years in his role, Chancellor Andrew D. Martin announced.

Marilyn and Gary Ratkin are the recipients of the 2026 Jane and Whitney Harris St. Louis Community Service Award. The award recognizes couples who contribute to the culture and welfare of the greater St. Louis community in an outstanding manner.

Timothy J. Ley, MD, a professor of medicine and of genetics at WashU Medicine, led the team that sequenced the first cancer genome. The American Philosophical Society is the nation’s oldest learned society, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743.

WashU architecture student Huda Abdesumad, a Pershing Fellow at Great Rivers Greenway, says the experience has allowed her to bridge her local roots with her career aspirations.

Kennedy Reed, a PhD candidate at WashU Medicine, died Aug. 4 following a car accident. She was 26. A celebration of life will be held Thursday, Aug. 13.

WashU has begun the search for its next executive vice chancellor and chief financial officer. David J. Gray, the current executive vice chancellor for finance, will complete his service in 2027.

A new master’s degree in artificial intelligence engineering will be offered at WashU McKelvey Engineering starting in fall 2027.

WashU Law’s judicial clerkship program continues to grow. Graduates clerk for judges across the country, with placements in 36 states and every federal circuit, including the Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The WashU Arboretum held its inaugural docent training, bringing together a wide variety of individuals to support future outreach and educational programming. Eventually, the docents will lead tours for the community.