Newsroom Stories

Only about one in three young women has received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer, according to a new report from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The HPV vaccine prevents four strains of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, two of which are found in about 70 percent of all women with cervical cancer. But the new data shows only 34 percent of girls ages 13 to 17 were being vaccinated in six states that were surveyed. 

Arts & Sciences recognized the achievements of six alumni during the 13th Annual Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony, held April 29 at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. A new tradition was started this year with the addition of an awards dinner hosted by Gary S. Wihl, PhD, dean of the faculty of Arts & Sciences and the Hortense and Tobias Lewin Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, and the Arts & Sciences National Council.

The employee 2009-10 U-Pass — allowing WUSTL faculty and staff free use of Metro, the region’s public transportation system — will expire June 30. Benefits-eligible employees may request a new U-Pass for the 2010-11 school year at the Parking & Transportation Services Web site, parking.wustl.edu/upass.htm.

Of note Deanna Barch, PhD, professor of psychology in Arts & Sciences, has received a one-year, $33,582 subcontract from the University of California, Davis, for research titled “Brain-based Measures for Treatment Development of Impaired Cognition in Schizophrenia.” … William H. Danforth, MD, chancellor emeritus, received the Research Champion Award from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation […]

A seven-year experiment shows that pond communities bear the imprint of random events in their past, such as the order in which species were introduced into the ponds. This finding locates one of the wellsprings of biodiversity but also suggests that it may not be possible to restore ecosystems whose history we cannot recreate.

Washington University School of Medicine is launching a Master of Population Health Sciences degree beginning this fall.

A memorial tribute for Richard E. Norberg, PhD, retired professor and longtime chair of physics in Arts & Sciences, will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, in Crow Hall, Room 201. A reception will follow in Compton Laboratory, Room 241.

WUSTL’s Lifelong Learning Institute — a community outreach education program for seniors that offers a variety of non-credit academic courses — celebrates its 15th anniversary this spring. LLI courses emphasize peer learning and active class participation.  

Doctors at the School of Medicine have diagnosed a rare parasitic infection in six people who had consumed raw crayfish from streams and rivers in Missouri.

Journalists covering the business beat are invited to participate in the first Olin Corporate Strategy Prize, sponsored by the Olin Business School. $10,000 in honoraria will be awarded for the best reporting on companies that have undergone significant strategic change.  Deadline for submissions is June 30, 2010.