Newsroom Stories

Seven distinguished alumni and a former dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science were honored at a dinner April 19 at the Coronado Ballroom. Six received Alumni Achievement Awards, one a Young Alumni Award, and the former dean received the Dean’s award. The honorees are: Larry Chiang, Richard Janis, Deepak Kantawala, Janice Karty, Milind Kulkarni, James McKelvey, Jr., Jennifer Dionne, and Sal Sutera.

Charged atoms, or ions, move through tiny pores, or channels, embedded in cell membranes, generating the electrical signals that allow cells to communicate with one another. In new research, scientists have shown how an unusual protein plays a key role in temporarily blocking the movement of ions through these channels. Preventing ions from moving through the channel gives cells time to recharge so that they can continue firing.

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) honored Timothy D. McBride, PhD, associate dean for public health at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, with its Outstanding Researcher Award April 19 during the NRHA’s 35th annual Rural Health Conference.

Scientists studying the way Alzheimer’s disease takes root in the brain have identified important new similarities between a mouse model and human Alzheimer’s. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown that brain plaques in mice are associated with disruption of the ability of brain regions to network with each other.

Scientists have identified the first gene directly linked to the most common form of psoriasis, a chronic skin condition. The research shows that rare mutations in the CARD14 gene, when activated by an environmental trigger, can lead to plaque psoriasis. This type of psoriasis accounts for 80 percent of all cases.

Washington University in St. Louis will award six honorary degrees during the university’s 151st Commencement May 18. They are: David M. Becker, JD; C. Ronald Kahn, MD; Richard J. Mahoney; Mike Peters; Gloria M. Steinem; and Donald M. Suggs, DDS. During the ceremony, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Brookings Quadrangle on the Danforth Campus, WUSTL also will bestow academic degrees on approximately 2,800 members of the Class of 2012.

Take three parts standard operatic repertoire, add two contemporary masterpieces, one not-so-standard bel canto and a dash of musical theater. The result is Opera Scenes, the semester-end program by Washington University Opera. This year’s performances, directed Tim Ocel, will take place at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, April 24 and 26, in the Ballroom Theatre of the 560 Music Center.

Two Washington University in St. Louis professors have been elected fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.The new fellows are Sarah C.R. Elgin, PhD, the Viktor Hamburger Professor of Arts & Sciences; and Alan R. Templeton, PhD, the Charles Rebstock Professor of Biology in Arts & Sciences.

New research by scientists at the School of Medicine provides evidence to explain why some people are more prone to develop kidney stones than others. The discovery opens the door to finding effective drug treatments and a test that could assess a person’s risk of kidney stones.

WUSTL is getting ready to reclaim the Guinness world record for longest massage chain Tuesday, April 24. Graduating seniors first set the record in 2010 before a group in Thailand broke it. Now, the WUSTL football team is hoping to gather 2,000 people on Francis Field — all in an effort to raise awareness about teen suicide.​