Newsroom Stories

Courtesy imageSoweto Gospel ChoirThe Edison Theatre at Washington University in St. Louis will celebrate its 33rd year of exuberant dance, rich musical traditions and classic and cutting-edge theatre with the 2005-06 OVATIONS! Series. Founded in 1973, the OVATIONS! Series serves both the campus and St. Louis communities by presenting the highest caliber national and international artists performing works intended to challenge, educate and inspire. The series highlights the interdisciplinary, the multicultural and the experimental, through new works as well as through innovative interpretations of classical material not otherwise seen in St. Louis.

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis will hold its commencement address at 3 p.m. May 20 at the America’s Center. Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., chancellor emeritus of Baylor College of Medicine, is the keynote speaker. DeBakey, a Louisiana native, is internationally recognized as a medical innovator and inventor. He is a respected surgeon, […]

Scientists at the School of Medicine have learned that a temporal “window of opportunity” was critical to their earlier successes in treating diabetic rats with embryonic pig tissues.

GephardtRichard A. Gephardt, former U.S. House minority leader, will give the 2005 Commencement address to some 2,500 graduating students at Washington University in St. Louis. The university’s 144th Commencement will begin at 8:30 a.m. May 20 in Brookings Quadrangle. During the ceremony, Gephardt will also receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.

Drawing by an autistic childA research team at the School of Medicine has identified regions of DNA that may be related to risk for autism. The researchers are learning how autism is inherited, and to identify genetic factors, they’re studying families and looking for traits that normally aren’t considered autistic but have connections to autism risk. Several studies have demonstrated that autism has a strong genetic component.

Scientists studying mice have identified a gene that allows immune cells known as neutrophils to protect themselves from the inflammatory chemicals they secrete. Researchers at the School of Medicine showed that knocking the gene out in mice prevented the development of an arthritis-like disorder by making the neutrophils victims of their own damaging secretions.

Alumni awards were presented to Cynthia Bumb, Ruth Greene Richardson & Frank Seever; the Outstanding Faculty Award went to Mark Rank.

“You try to prep yourself before you go (there), but you really can’t,” says Keren Kinglow, a pre-med student and intensive-care unit nurse.

The School of Engineering & Applied Science is a sponsor of the world’s premier software engineering annual forum May 15-21.

Photo by Mary ButkusThe Stress Free Zone, providing a way for students to relax during their preparations for final exams, included pet therapy.