Notables

Stephanie McNally, associate secretary to the WashU Board of Trustees, is the recipient of the prestigious 2026 Distinguished Board Professional Award from the Association of Governing Boards for exceptional contributions to governance excellence and board engagement in higher education.

The National Academy of Inventors has once again named WashU to its Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents List. 

WashU Police Lt. Nicole Gentilini was among 253 law enforcement officers who graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., March 18. 

WashU senior Marilee Karinshak has received the Harris Social Impact Fellowship from the University of Chicago. The highly selective fellowship blends intensive training in policy analysis, critical reasoning and data analytics with a hands-on placement at a top research center or policy institute.

WashU Medicine faculty members Mary M. Mullen, MD, an assistant professor in gynecologic oncology, and Siyan “Stewart” Cao, MD, PhD, an assistant professor in gastroenterology, have received the Young Physician-Scientist Award from the American Society for Clinical Investigation.

Tonya Edmond, at the Brown School, has been installed as the William E. Gordon Distinguished Professor. A ceremony took place Feb. 9 in Hillman Hall.

WashU engineering researcher Yifan Dai was named to Forbes’ “30 under 30” science list for contributions to global cellular physiology.

Cynthia Rogers, the Blanche F. Ittleson Professor of Psychiatry at WashU Medicine, has received the 2025 Joel Elkes Research Award from the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology for her research on early developmental markers of psychiatric risk associated with premature birth.

Now in its 23rd year, the Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award has recognized a new cohort of WashU leaders who are committed to a healthier, safer and stronger region. The awards collectively have honored 160 educators, staff members, students and alumni.

During WashU Medicine’s 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Week, 22 faculty, staff and students were recognized with Drum Major Awards for embodying King’s work and words.