Newsroom Stories

Growing up in rural Alaska, Chukwuma is caught between American friends and traditional Nigerian parents. So begins “Alaskaland,” one of eight films to be screened March 28-30 as part of Washington University’s annual African Film Festival. Other highlights will include “Tey,” an impressionistic celebration of life and death, and “Aya of Yop City,” adapted from the graphic novels of Marguerite Abouet.

​Apryle M. Cotton has been named the new assistant vice chancellor for human resources at Washington University in St. Louis, announced Lorraine A. Goffe-Rush, vice chancellor for human resources.Cotton, whose appointment took effect March 3, succeeds Goffe-Rush, who was promoted Dec. 31 to vice chancellor.​

Named for WUSTL founder William Greenleaf Eliot, the Eliot Trio consists of three prominent St. Louis musicians: pianist Seth Carlin, violinist David Halen and cellist Bjorn Ranheim. On March 26, the group will perform piano trios by Bohuslav Martinů, Ludwig van Beethoven and Antonín Dvořák in Holmes Lounge.

Asymmetric hearing is a difference between the two ears’ ability to detect and process sound. New studies indicate that people with asymmetric hearing experience greater communication difficulties than previously assumed. Researchers led by Jill B. Firszt, PhD, have received a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the effects of asymmetric hearing loss in adults and children.

At the far edge of the solar system lies the Oort Cloud, a vast collection of icy comets representing the furthest reaches of the sun’s gravitational influence. On Sunday, March 23, seven members of the St. Louis Symphony will perform “Oort Cloud,” an original composition by principal timpanist Shannon Wood, in WUSTL’s E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall.

With a five-year, $3.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, Washington University orthopedic researchers and engineers are working to enhance rotator cuff repair surgery.

Jon Huntsman Jr., a former Republican presidential candidate and ambassador to China, visited WUSTL recently and discussed challenges facing America. Read more to check out his Feb. 25 speech for the Assembly Series.

Hank Webber, executive vice chancellor for administration, sits down with the Record to talk about Washington University’s major role in the growth of St. Louis’ central corridor. An expert in urban planning, Webber knows faculty and students want to be part of a thriving community, so he focuses on projects that are winners for both WUSTL and the region.

People often feel draggy the day after they have to set their clocks forward in the spring but often shrug off that feeling as trivial. In fact, says Erik Herzog, PhD, a neuroscientist at Washington University in St. Louis, who studies biological clocks, jamming our biological clocks into reverse, as daylight savings time does, has serious consequences.

Civil rights champion and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission member Chai Feldblum, JD, will visit Washington University in St. Louis on March 17 and 18 to participate in programs commemorating the passing of Title VII, a key piece of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as to celebrate International Women’s Day.