Notables

Perla Giles, a rising senior majoring in molecular microbiology, and David Lee, a rising senior majoring in chemistry, have been chosen to participate in the Beckman Scholars Program, which provides in-depth research experiences for exceptionally talented undergraduate students.

Rebecca Messbarger, professor of Italian in Arts & Sciences, has published a chapter titled “Popes, the Body, Medicine, and the Cult of Saints after Trent” as part of “The Cambridge History of the Papacy, Volume III: Civil Society.”

Robi Mitra at WashU Medicine has received the Chancellor’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In addition, in 2024 WashU jumped 11 places to No. 26 on the National Academy of Inventors list of the top 100 U.S. universities granted U.S. utility patents.

Charlie Fioriglio, a rising senior studying physics and chemistry in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, has been named an Astronaut Scholar, a competitive fellowship for exceptional undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.

Barbara W. Trautner, MD, PhD, an internationally recognized physician-scientist, has been named the new co-director of the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine at WashU Medicine.

Josh Walehwa has been appointed associate vice chancellor and chief of staff for Nichol Luoma, executive vice chancellor for administration and chief administrative officer at Washington University in St. Louis, beginning June 2.

Kim Thuy Seelinger, a research associate professor at the Brown School and visiting professor at the School of Law, will give a keynote address at the international conference “Justice Denied: Fighting Widespread Impunity for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence” June 2 at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

Rodrigo S. Reis, a professor at the School of Public Health and an expert on the intersection of physical activity, the built environment and health, has been appointed co-editor of the Journal of Physical Activity and Health.

The Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, established in 2005 by Yale University and Howard University, recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement while promoting diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate. WashU recently inducted five doctoral candidates and five postdoctoral fellows.

For the first time in program history, the Washington University in St. Louis women’s tennis team won the national championship, defeating Pomona-Pitzer 4-3 May 23 in Claremont, Calif. The title marks the 27th in WashU Athletics history and the second for the 2024-25 school year.