Newsroom Stories

Lung cancer patients with a history of smoking have ten times more genetic mutations in their tumors than those with the disease who have never smoked, according to Richard K. Wilson, PhD, and his colleagues at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

The McDonnell International Scholars Academy at Washington University in St. Louis welcomed 16 new graduate and professional students from 11 partner institutions worldwide for the 2012-13 academic year. Admitted into the McDonnell Academy for the first time in 2012 were two scholars from the United States.

Thanks in part to the support of the United Way, the St. Louis Area Foodbank distributed 25 million pounds of food to those in need in the bi-state region last year. The WUSTL community can help the United Way support organizations like the Foodbank by contributing to the 2012 United Way campaign, which began Sept. 6. 

David M. Walker, former U.S. comptroller general, will bring his “$10 Million a Minute Tour” promoting fiscal responsibility to the Danforth Campus Tuesday, Sept. 18. Walker, CEO of the Comeback America Initiative, is leading a national monthlong bus tour to bring attention to the economic and fiscal challenges facing the United States.

Developing new and innovative approaches for the teaching of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is the primary goal of an interdisciplinary conference to be held Sept. 27-28 at the Charles F. Knight Executive Education & Conference Center at Washington University in St. Louis.

This summer, WUSTL students participating in the International Experience in Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering went to Brazil to study its booming biofuel industry. Applications now are being accepted for next year’s trip to Australia. The topics to be studied are coal, coal-seam gas, wastewater treatment, biofuels and the geothermal industry.

Washington University’s John B. Ervin Scholars Program, considered a nationally pre-eminent program that fosters and enhances the overall quality and diversity of WUSTL’s student body, is recognizing its 25th anniversary this weekend. More than 1,000 alumni, family and friends of the Ervin program are expected to be on campus Sept. 14-16 to participate in “Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence: Our Names and Our Stories.”

Hana Kumar, 2, chases bubbles during the Family Learning Center’s second anniversary celebration Sept. 7 at the university’s Family Learning Center on North Campus. The celebration featured face-painting, bubbles, popsicles, wagon rides and other fun activities for parents and children.

Election turnout among young people of color, including African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans, may drop by nearly 700,000 voters in states with new photo ID laws, a decline that could impact presidential contests in battleground states, a new study suggests.

WUSTL students explored the many opportunities available to them during a Student Activities Fair Sept. 5 in Brookings Quadrangle. Brad Suda, a sophomore in psychology in Arts & Sciences and member of the WU Cypher Breakdancing Club, demonstrates some moves for attendees.