Newsroom Stories

A program that helps obese patients improve healthy behaviors is associated with modest weight loss and improved blood pressure control in a high-risk, low-income group, according to Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH, at Washington University School of Medicine. Compared to those receiving usual care, the lifestyle intervention slowed increases in weight and blood pressure in this population of high-risk patients.

“The goal of our work is to create parks that are intrinsically urban — not places to escape from the city, but places to escape within the city.” So observes landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh, currently leading the design team charged with reimagining the 91-acre park surrounding St. Louis’ iconic Gateway Arch. On March 19, Van Valkenburgh will discuss his work as part of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts’ spring Public Lecture Series.

After starting the season with three straight losses, the baseball team earned its ninth consecutive win to improve its record to 9-3 overall, 2-0 in UAA play. The victory over Brandeis matched the longest winning streak for the Bears since 2007. Updates also included on men’s and women’s track, softball, tennis and golf.

Research has shown that youth violence is a major cause of injury and death among Latinos. However, there is little understanding of violent behaviors of youths within various Latino ethnic subgroups such as Puerto Ricans, Cubans and Mexicans. Lorena Estrada-Martínez, PhD, assistant professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, recently examined how family dynamics and neighborhood racial/ethnic composition and socioeconomic status (SES) impact youth violence among Latino subgroups. “Higher levels of youth independence can reduce the risk of violence in primarily Latino neighborhoods,” Estrada-Martinez says. 

Lee E. Ohanian, PhD, professor of economics and director of the Ettinger Family Program in Macroeconomic Research at the University of California, Los Angeles, will present “Depressions, Crises, and Economic Policy: The 1930s and Today” at Washington University in St. Louis for the inaugural Lloyd Cole Lecture at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, in the Danforth University Center, Room 276.

Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton has announced two senior leadership appointments. Jennifer R. Smith, PhD, associate professor of earth and planetary sciences and of environmental studies, both in Arts & Sciences, has been named dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. Sharon Stahl, PhD, associate vice chancellor for students and dean of the First Year Center, has been named vice chancellor for students. They will fill the dual roles held by James E. McLeod before his death Sept. 6.

Bon Appetit, the food service company that manages WUSTL Dining Services, has announced its new farm animal welfare policy. The changes will affect meat, poultry and eggs served at WUSTL Dining Services locations. Under the new standards, Bon Appetit will employ the food service industry’s most comprehensive farm animal welfare policy to date, says Nadeem Siddiqui, director of WUSTL Dining Services.

Eighteen Washington University in St. Louis undergraduate students will have the opportunity to spend their spring break in a unique way — a 10-day immersion in various aspects of the Israeli economy, from innovation to government to high-tech start-ups.

Emergency physician Chris Carpenter, MD, is conducting a study of patients in the emergency room who are older than 65 and at increased risk of having dementia. He wants to determine if referring suspected Alzheimer’s patients to an outreach agency will reduce frequent returns to the emergency department and help them remain independent longer.

A three-phase construction project will bring the Gephardt Institute for Public Service into the Danforth University Center (DUC) and consolidate student media groups on campus. The Gephardt Institute and key student media — including Student Life, WUTV and KWUR 90.3 FM — will be grouped on the center’s third floor adjacent to the DUC Recording Studio. Construction begins March 19.